Octavia Spencer Stars in Food Network's New Series 'Family Recipe Showdown'

Academy Award-winning actress Octavia Spencer returns to her Southern roots this summer in the new home cooking competition Family Recipe Showdown. Set in New Orleans, the series features Octavia as the host, alongside Southern cooking royalty Edgar “Dook” Chase as the resident expert. Family Recipe Showdown premieres Thursday, July 17th at 9|8c on Food Network and streams the next day on HBO Max.

What is Family Recipe Showdown About?

Each episode welcomes family duos to the kitchen as they prepare their most cherished recipes for a $10,000 prize. Together, Octavia and Dook sample the dishes before being joined in the final round by a rotating panel of guest judges and Octavia’s celebrity friends — including Reese Witherspoon, Jessica Chastain, Danielle Brooks, Eric Stonestreet, Tina Knowles, Kandi Burruss, Tim Gunn and Al Roker with his daughter Leila.

“Southern food means family to me, and I am thrilled to introduce these outstanding home cooks to viewers,” says Octavia. “The competing families bring their own traditions to every dish — from buttery biscuits to cast-iron skillet specialties, the food took me and my friends back to our childhoods with every bite … and getting to taste it all with Dook Chase made the experience even sweeter. This show is about family, friends and food — there’s nothing better than that.

Each episode features two rounds of culinary throwdowns. Themes include a Southern brunch with all the fixings, a top-notch biscuit bakeoff and more. Three teams of home cooks must impress Octavia and Dook to advance to the final round.The two duos that move on to the second showdown are tasked with putting their own delicious spin on a family favorite recipe of the episode’s guest judge. Each week, only one family takes home the win and $10,000 prize.

In the series premiere, Octavia and Dook open the kitchen to three teams of Southern families for a down-home showdown. In the first round, an aunt and niece, mother-in-law and son-in-law and wife duo serve up their best Southern brunch. In the second round, the final two teams put their own spin on one of guest judge Reese Witherspoon's childhood favorites.

How to Watch Family Recipe Showdown

Family Recipe Showdown premieres Thursday, July 17th at 9|8c on Food Network and streams the next day on HBO Max. Get show updates on Food Network’s social channels using #FamilyRecipeShowdown. Plus, visit FoodNetwork.com for Family Recipe Showdown news and for more information about the hosts and celebrity guest stars.