Food Network picks up 'Wildcard Kitchen' for 3rd season, strikes exclusive deal with host Eric Adjepong

Food Network Press Release

Following the successful second season of “Wildcard Kitchen,” Food Network has picked up the late-night culinary card game for a third round – and signed host Eric Adjepong to a new multiyear deal. Season two, which premiered in January, reached nearly 6 million P2+ viewers while seeing growth in younger demo P25-35 by 33%. In the series, Adjepong welcomes all-star chefs to his underground poker game where they cook, bet, bluff and backstab for cold, hard cash and bragging rights. “Wildcard Kitchen” is currently in preproduction, with shooting expected to commence this spring.

“Our viewers loved ‘Wildcard Kitchen’ from the start – it truly feels like spending an hour at an exclusive late-night card game with your favorite chefs,” said Betsy Ayala, head of content, food, Warner Bros. Discovery. “Eric is the perfect host to lead all the culinary gameplay and fun amongst friends.”

First-generation Ghanaian American chef Adjepong was born and raised in New York City and became known for introducing West African cuisine to the mainstream culinary conversation, alongside the impact its diaspora has had on South American, Latin American, Caribbean and American food. After graduating with degrees in culinary arts and nutrition from Johnson & Wales, he went on to obtain his Master of Public Health in international public health and nutrition from the University of Westminster in London. From there, he cooked in several Michelin-starred restaurants before taking his talents to “Top Chef.”

On Food Network, Adjepong has appeared on “Alex vs. America,” “Selena + Chef,” “Chopped,” “Guy’s Grocery Games,” “Supermarket Stakeout” and “Tournament of Champions.” He has partnered with brands such as AYO Foods, Bowery, Tanqueray, and has a longstanding commitment to organizations such as Save the Children, of which he will soon join the likes of Jennifer Garner and Dakota Fanning as a global ambassador.

Adjepong’s first children’s book, “Sankofa: A Culinary Story of Resilience and Belonging,” was published by Penguin Workshop in 2023, and his debut cookbook, “Ghana to the World,” was published with Clarkson Potter in March 2025. He is the owner of the Ghanaian-inspired restaurant Elmina, which opened last month in Washington, D.C.