Nick DiGiovanni, Lorenzo Espada, Tini Younger

Food Network has unveiled its 2026 Hot List, which features 11 notable chefs and culinary content creators, including Nick DiGiovanni, Lorenzo Espada and Tini Younger.

The Warner Bros. cable channel. Discovery defines the list as a series of awards that bring “a unique culinary perspective and a passion for inspiring food lovers everywhere.”

The 2026 Food Network Hot List includes: chef and former children’s cooking competition star Alessandra Ciuffo, chef and ‘MasterChef’ finalist DiGiovanni, self-taught chef and cookbook author Lorenzo Espada, award-winning BBQ Pitmaster and motivational speaker Rashad Jones, restaurateur and New York Times bestselling author Henry ‘Salt Hank’ Laporte, baker and blogger Zoha Malik, chef and culinary expert explorer Michael Tchao, chef and New York Times bestselling author Cassie Yeung, chef and social advocate Tini Younger, and chefs and partners Hailee Catalano and Chuck Cruz.

Food Network labels the Hot List members as notable for their combined social following of more than 90 million people, as well as for their efforts to “make an impact far beyond the food they create” and “enable meaningful change for the better,” including initiatives such as fighting childhood hunger.

Starting Sunday, Food Network will spotlight a member of the 2026 list on its social platforms with original videos, expert “Hot Tips,” favorite recipes and exclusive Q&As.

“Each year we look forward to unveiling the Food Network Hot List and introducing fans to the exceptional class of talent making waves in the culinary world and reminding us how food connects communities,” said Karen Bronzo, Warner Bros. Chief Global Marketing Officer. Discovery of US networks and news. “With the power of the Food Network brand and the dynamic content from these chefs and creators, the Hot List is also an impactful marketing tool, with last year’s viral campaign generating 34 million impressions.”