The Kitchen is set to return to Food Network for a special episode, but the first look at the reunion has raised questions about Sunny Anderson’s involvement. The promotional video features several familiar faces from the cooking series. However, Anderson is nowhere to be seen in the footage. Her absence has prompted fans to ask whether the host will join her co-stars for the show’s return after its cancellation.
Sunny Anderson wasn’t in The Kitchen Reunion’s preview
Sunny Anderson’s absence from a promotional video for The Kitchen reunion has prompted viewers to question whether the longtime host will appear in the upcoming Food Network special. Garden Slate Productions shared the behind-the-scenes footage on Instagram on October 27.
The clip featured Jeff Mauro, Katie Lee Biegel, Geoffrey Zakarian, and Alex Guarnaschelli together on set. However, Anderson was not featured in the clip, leading fans to ask why she was missing from the preview.
Several viewers raised the issue directly in the comments. One user wrote, “Bring it back permanently (with Sunny)!” while another added, “Where is @sunnyanderson ?! Not The Kitchen without her!” A third user commented, “Why am I not seeing @sunnyanderson in this shot? Was excited until I didn’t see her.” Meanwhile, a fourth one read, “Will not be the same without our beautiful @sunnyanderson.”
As of now, Anderson has not publicly addressed her participation in the reunion and the video does not confirm whether she will appear in the full episode.
The special is scheduled to air on Saturday, October 31, at 11 a.m. ET on Food Network. Garden Slate Productions announced the broadcast in its Instagram caption, writing, “Mark your calendars! The Kitchen is BACK for a special episode this Saturday, 10/31 at 11am ET on @foodnetwork,” followed by, “We can’t wait!!” In the video, Mauro says, “Hello, and welcome to The Kitchen,” as the other hosts cheer. Biegel, Zakarian, and Guarnaschelli are also visible in the clip.
The reunion follows the cancellation of The Kitchen in October 2025.
