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15 Minutes with Kardea Brown

15 Minutes with Kardea Brown
September 2020

Get to know the Food Network star ahead of her Delicious Miss Brown Season 3 premiere



CM: Delicious Miss Brown, which heads into its third season on September 5, is filmed on Edisto Island. What’s your most vivid memory from growing up on the sea islands?
KB:
Summers spent on Wadmalaw, playing barefoot outside with my cousins, with the warm sand between my toes. And I can’t forget my family’s cookouts and reunions. It’s essential for viewers to see the beauty of this place I call home.

CM: Tell me about your approach to Lowcountry cuisine.
KB:
Fresh, seasonal, and very seafood heavy! My style is simple and accessible—anyone can feel comfortable recreating my recipes.

CM: Some one million “cousins” tune into each episode. Other than tasty recipes, what do you hope those viewers take away from the show?
KB:
A better understanding of life here in the Lowcountry and a broader knowledge of Gullah culture. I would like for viewers to know about our origin and the beautiful way of living we’ve managed to preserve from our West African ancestors.

CM: How can a cooking show offer people connection to each other?
KB:
Who doesn’t love food? Who doesn’t love Southern food? I believe Delicious Miss Brown showcases the best of both worlds. My goal is to show viewers that we are more alike than we are different, which is so important at a time when racial tensions are high. Family and love are the center of my life. I hope my show encourages viewers to make love the center of their lives, too.

CM: What’s the atmosphere on set?
KB:
The crew is one big, happy family, and we have lots of fun. We love to dance and sing. It helps those 12-hour days go by super fast. I like to record some of our silly antics for behind-the-scenes footage.

CM: How did you get noticed by the TV world?
KB:
In 2014, my then-boyfriend signed me up for a cooking show featuring home cooks. I was then featured in a pilot on the Cooking Channel.

CM: You’ve worked with an array of celebrity chefs since landing on Food Network. Who were you most excited to meet?
KB:
I met Martha Stewart on the set of Beat Bobby Flay and was totally starstruck.

CM: Your social media mentions a weight loss and fitness journey. Tell us about your goals.
KB:
I don’t have a particular weight in mind—I just want to look and feel my absolute best. I’ve learned that there’s a balance: you can enjoy the foods you love, just in moderation. Exercise has become an important part of my daily routine. I also enjoy yoga and meditation.

CM: How do you unwind when you aren’t filming?
KB:
Cooking makes my heart happy. Even when I’m not on set, I’m in the kitchen. I also love being outdoors, whether it’s a walk on the beach or grilling out in my backyard. Sometimes I enjoy doing absolutely nothing. Relaxing is crucial!

Get Kardea's Red Rice recipe here.