The 5 Most Anticipated New Food Network Shows Hitting Screens In 2025 (And One Huge 2026 Debut)

The Food Network is gearing up for a massive programming shift, with a wave of new competition series and star-driven concepts set to dominate the schedule throughout 2025 and into early 2026. As of December 12, 2025, the network has officially unveiled key components of its future lineup, signaling a strong focus on high-stakes baking, family rivalries, and a further expansion of its holiday and celebrity-chef franchises. This exciting slate promises to deliver both fresh faces and beloved culinary titans in brand-new formats, designed to capture the attention of food lovers everywhere.

The latest announcements confirm that the network is doubling down on its most successful formats—intense baking championships and celebrity-led throwdowns—while introducing unique twists, such as competitions focused on sibling duos and massive, edible architectural builds. From a new Wells Adams-hosted show to a major Christmas-themed spinoff from Guy Fieri, here is a detailed look at the most anticipated and officially announced new Food Network shows for 2025 and beyond.

The 2025 Programming Slate: New Competition Series and Star Power

Food Network's strategy for 2025 is clearly defined: leverage its current star power while cultivating new talent through high-stakes, visually spectacular competition series. The schedule is heavily weighted toward the latter half of the year, building momentum into the critical holiday season, which has historically been a ratings powerhouse for the network.

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Sweet Empire: The New Must-Watch Baking Architecture Show

One of the biggest announcements for the 2025 holiday season is the all-new series, Sweet Empire. This show is set to be a spectacle of edible architecture, pushing the boundaries of what can be created from sugar, chocolate, and dough.

• Host: The series will be hosted by television personality Wells Adams, known for his charismatic presence and humor.
• Concept: The competition brings together 14 top chefs who will battle it out to create massive, intricate, and impressive edible structures.
• Premiere Date: Sweet Empire is scheduled to air on Sunday, November 9, 2025, positioning it perfectly for the start of the holiday programming rush.

The show is expected to be a visual feast, moving beyond traditional baking challenges to focus on engineering and artistic design, making it a strong contender to become a new annual favorite alongside classics like Holiday Baking Championship. The inclusion of Wells Adams as the host suggests a lighter, more entertaining tone, balancing the intensity of the competition.

Baking Champions: Next Gen—A Sibling Rivalry for the Ages

Looking ahead to the very end of 2025 and the beginning of 2026, Food Network has announced a fresh iteration of its successful baking franchise: Baking Champions: Next Gen.

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This competition introduces a unique and compelling dynamic: siblings pairing up to compete against other family duos. This format taps into the natural drama and chemistry of family bonds, where collaboration and rivalry often go hand-in-hand.

• Focus: The show will highlight the generational transfer of culinary skills and the pressure of competing alongside a family member.
• Timing: While some sources indicate a sneak peek or premiere on December 8, 2025, the series is also being touted as a show that will "Kick Off 2026," suggesting a major run in the first quarter of the year.

The 'Next Gen' focus implies a search for the future stars of the culinary world, giving younger, skilled bakers a national platform. This series is a clear example of the network’s commitment to refreshing its core competition formats.

Expanding the Empires of Culinary Superstars

No Food Network slate is complete without new projects from its biggest names. For 2025, two of the network's most bankable stars, Guy Fieri and Bobby Flay, are set to dominate the schedule with new and returning hits.

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Guy Fieri’s New Christmas-Themed Spinoff

Following the massive success of his high-octane culinary tournaments, Guy Fieri is set to launch a brand-new, Christmas-themed spinoff of his popular "Tournament of" series. While the exact title is under wraps, the concept is clear: bringing his signature intense, bracket-style competition to the festive holiday kitchen.

This new Fieri project is part of a massive holiday programming push, which will see Food Network deliver more than 50 hours of new holiday-themed content. It’s a safe bet that this series will feature top-tier chefs, a massive prize, and Fieri’s signature enthusiastic hosting style, making it a major ratings driver for the season.

Returning Favorites and Holiday Throwdowns

The backbone of the 2025 schedule is bolstered by the return of several fan-favorite competition series, many of which are getting holiday-themed iterations:

• Holiday Baking Championship: The perennial favorite returns for a new season, with host Jesse Palmer back to guide 12 competing bakers through festive challenges. The format continues to evolve, with the new season splitting the bakers into distinct groups for the first time.
• Beat Bobby Flay: Holiday Throwdown: Bobby Flay will once again face off against culinary challengers in a holiday-themed version of his hit show. This iteration typically features more elaborate seasonal dishes and high-stakes judging.
• Family Recipe Showdown: Announced during the recent Upfronts, this competition series is expected to air in 2025 and will focus on the emotional and competitive world of family cooking traditions. This taps into the growing trend of celebrating personal, heritage-based cuisine.

The Future of Food Network: New Faces and Fresh Concepts

Beyond the major competition series, the network is always on the lookout for the next generation of culinary stars. The annual "Food Network Hot List" for 2025 has identified several personalities who are expected to receive their own series or play major roles in upcoming shows. This strategy ensures a continuous flow of fresh content and new perspectives, maintaining topical authority in the crowded food television landscape.

The network is also subtly adjusting its seasonal programming. For example, the Halloween programming slate for 2025 is noted to be slightly lighter than in previous years, suggesting a strategic shift to place more emphasis and resources on the massive Thanksgiving and Christmas programming blocks.

The focus on high-production-value shows like Sweet Empire and the expansion of the Guy Fieri universe confirms that Food Network is dedicated to delivering spectacular, must-see television. The 2025 slate is a blend of familiar comfort and exciting, large-scale culinary battles, ensuring that viewers will have plenty of fresh content to enjoy all year long.