Why Alex's Day Off Deserves A Comeback, According To Fans

If you're a fan of cozy, early 2000s-style cooking shows, you may remember Food Network's "Alex's Day Off." Hosted by Alex Guarnaschelli, a former "Food Network Challenge" competitor, she brought viewers into her kitchen week after week, whipping up a wide range of dishes from Sunday brunch, pub food, and even a mile-high sandwich. Guarnaschelli showed viewers that impressive recipes don't have to be intimidating, and she made everyday cooking feel fun and personable — even coming from a high-end chef. The series aired just over 30 episodes and ran for three seasons between 2009 and 2011, but nearly two decades after its finale, fans still think fondly of the show and, in an era of reboots, wish it would come back.

In a Reddit thread asking users what old Food Network shows they'd like to see revived, one user wrote, "[Lots of] different shows where there's actual cooking, not competitions or tours of restaurants (not that I don't watch them, I just miss seeing more non-competition cooking)." In response to this, the original poster named "Alex's Day Off" as the first show on their list.

In another Reddit thread commending Guarnaschelli's teaching methods, a handful of users agreed and explained how much they enjoy watching the chef's multifaceted personality — a focal point of "Alex's Day Off." "Probably my favorite Food Network personality," one user wrote. Another expressed, "I think she's great. Personable, but super skilled and knowledgable [sic] while being humble."

Before Alex Guarnaschelli even set foot on a Food Network set, she graduated from Barnard College in 1991 with a degree in Art History — so, not exactly a direct path to becoming a renowned chef. During her time in school, however, she cooked for her friends, and not just college staples like ramen noodles and microwave pizza. Instead, she made meals like lasagna and used her background in art to meticulously plate each dish. Instead of pursuing an entry-level job in the art field, she took up a job at a Manhattan restaurant, An American Place, owned by Larry Forgione.

She then decided to pursue culinary arts full time and moved to Burgundy, France to attend La Varenne Culinary School. Her time there shaped her culinary career and led to stints at several renowned establishments, including one at chef Guy Savoy's self-titled, Michelin-starred Paris restaurant. In 2003, New York City's Butter — the same Butter from "Gossip Girl" — named Guarnaschelli executive chef. Three years later, the chef took another major career leap when she competed on an episode of "Food Network Challenge."

After three seasons of "Alex's Day Off," Food Network canceled the show in an effort to prioritize competition-style programming. However, this was far from Alex Guarnaschelli's last appearance on the channel. In 2012, she won "The Next Iron Chef: Redemption" and went on to appear in other shows, including "Beat Bobby Flay," "Guy's Superstar Grocery Games," and "Cutthroat Kitchen." The chef also continued her tenure as a rotating judge on "Chopped," appearing on 236 episodes as of 2025 and even taking part in spinoffs, including "Chopped: Beat the Judge." By 2019, she had appeared on the network 600 times.

That same year, Guarnaschelli hosted "Supermarket Stakeout" before taking the workbench again on "Alex Vs. America" in 2022, where she'd compete against other chefs. The show aired its fifth season finale in November 2025, with no word yet on a renewal, leaving viewers wanting more. Some Food Network fans think she should have a different show — one that breaks up the high-stakes feel. As one wrote on Reddit, "I really wish they would give her a cooking show again." Another agreed, "I just wish they'd do cooking shows again. The constant competition ones get tedious after a while."

Until word of a new show breaks, you can find Guarnaschelli on her TikTok page, where she gives viewers olive oil hacks and tips for making lasagna less watery. She even helped solve TikTok's biggest cast iron issue: getting rid of the unpleasant odor. Still, fans hope to one day see these tips from Guarnaschelli's cozy kitchen on their TV screens.