Octavia Spencer is serving up more than just Southern charm in her new Food Network series “Family Recipe Showdown.” She’s bringing homegrown flavors, heartfelt stories, and a serious dose of culinary credibility thanks to her co-host, chef Edgar “Dook” Chase IV. A beloved New Orleans restaurateur and heir to a legendary food legacy, Chase brings deep roots and real flavor to the kitchen alongside Spencer’s signature warmth and humor.
Octavia Spencer’s ‘Family Recipe Showdown’ is a Star-Studded Celebration of Southern Roots
The new competition series invites family duos to cook their most treasured recipes for a shot at $10,000, plus the chance to impress both Spencer, Chase, and a rotating panel of celebrity guest judges like Reese Witherspoon, Jessica Chastain, and Al Roker.
Set in the heart of New Orleans, “Family Recipe Showdown” puts the spotlight on everyday cooks with extraordinary stories—from mother-daughter teams to in-laws braving the kitchen under pressure.
Each episode features two rounds of competition. First, there’s a themed cook-off, followed by a challenge to reimagine a cherished dish from that week’s celebrity guest. Spencer, an Oscar winner and self-proclaimed “excellent taster,” said the show hit close to home.
“Southern food means family to me, and I am thrilled to introduce these outstanding home cooks to viewers,” Spencer said in a statement. “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.”
Meet Dook Chase: Chef, Storyteller, and New Orleans Icon
If the last name Chase sounds familiar, it should. He is the grandson of the late Leah Chase, the legendary chef behind Dooky Chase’s Restaurant—a cornerstone of Creole cuisine and civil rights history. Now, he’s carrying on that tradition as a Food Network personality, community leader, and ambassador for New Orleans food culture.
“New Orleans is so unique to this country,” Chase said. “There are so many different cultural influences here — French, West African, Spanish, Native American. When we highlight that through food, we’re telling real stories.”
Though he’s best known for his gumbo and hospitality, Chase reveals he also had the chance to cook for Spencer on set.
“The first thing I learned to make in my grandmother’s kitchen was stewed chicken,” he told TV Insider. “I had the chance to show Octavia how to make it backstage. We had fun with it — lots of laughs, lots of flavor.”
‘Family Recipe Showdown’ is All About the Love of Food
With eight episodes and a rotating cast of celebrity guests, “Family Recipe Showdown” is equal parts cooking competition and feel-good feast. And while the judges bring serious star power, Chase says it’s the shared love of food that keeps things grounded.
“Everyone has a food memory,” he said. “Reese’s mom came backstage and told us about living in New Orleans when Reese was a kid. Eric Stonestreet showed me photos of his grill setup at home. These are real people with real stories — just like our contestants.”
Ultimately, Chase hopes viewers walk away with more than just a craving. He believes the show captures something we all feel, “that food connects us.”
“Some of the simplest recipes told the most powerful stories. That’s the magic of ‘Family Recipe Showdown,'” Chase said.
Watch new episodes of “Family Recipe Showdown” Thursdays on Food Network, and stream the next day on Max. For behind-the-scenes content, visit FoodNetwork.com and follow along on social using #FamilyRecipeShowdown.
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‘Family Recipe Showdown’ Co-Host Dook Chase Is New Orleans Culinary Royalty