I’m so thrilled for season 4 of Kelsey’s Essentials to air. This season was a true labor of love as pre-production happened quickly and I was just transitioning from my 1st to 2nd trimester of pregnancy. So in a sense…this is Oliver’s big television debut! I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that certain pregnancy cravings may have influenced some of the episode choices. We even went as far as to create a junk food favorites show. I know, you can turn your nose up and walk away now, but don’t deny the fact that you wouldn’t watch a show that included Homemade Banana Split Funnel Cake, Cotton Candy Lemonade, and Boardwalk Dogs with a field trip to Coney Island to top it off. That episode shows up later in the season, but the episode that will kick things off is all about grilling on the go. The images above are all behind the scenes shots of this day. I loved shooting this episode which includes a rooftop grilling party with my friends and a visit to master chef Floyd Cardoz at North End Grill in Tribeca to learn a few of his go-to tips when it comes to grilling. The menu lineup is super tasty with Grilled Strawberry Shortcake Sandwiches, Sweet & Sour Barbecued Picnic Drumsticks, a Spicy Avocado Dill Dip, and Veggie Kebabs with Halloumi Cheese. Do you know about halloumi cheese? It’s one of the only cheeses that you can grill. It’s firm enough to stand up to the grill, but gets soft and melty on the inside. It will blow your mind.
The show is moving to a primetime slot (yay!) on Saturdays at 8:30 pm ET. I always get super nervous to watch new episodes and admittedly I sometimes avoid watching them altogether. Something about watching myself and listening to my voice on television makes me super vulnerable and bashful (especially when the episode was shot when I was 6 months pregnant!) I hope you’ll tune in and let me know what you think! Big thanks to everyone who supports the show season after season. I truly have the greatest job in the world thanks to all of that continued support.
p.s. Crazy fact about filming- because of the structure of our filming schedule, we shot the location portion of this episode at North End Grill on the first day of filming and the kitchen and rooftop portion of the episode on one of the last days of filming. That’s almost a 2 week time difference and I’m certain that I’ll look much bigger when it comes to the baby bump while cooking in the kitchen and on the rooftop. The horizontal stripes probably didn’t help anything either…
So tell me, will you be watching season 4 of Kelsey’s Essentials? I sure hope so!
I will be watching! Your show quickly became one of my very favorites from the first season.
I’m so glad you watch and love my show. Thanks for watching Brenda!
I’m watching the first show of the season right now. It all looks so yummy and I can’t wait for the junk food episode. Your baby bump is adorable! Congratulations on the baby!
The junk food episode is one of my favorites! I can’t wait for it to air. Thanks Breanne!
I so love watching your show!!! Not only because I trust your food to taste good, but it’s just pleasant to watch. You make it seem fun & I feel like I’m in your home just hanging out with you. Thanks for what you do
Thanks Kim! I’m so glad you enjoy my show!
You’re one of my favorites. So cute and bubbly! I always look forward to your show.
Congratulations on your beautiful baby. <3
I just started watching your show and you are a natural !
I am enjoying your tips as well as your style.
And congrats on your new baby Oliver !
Great show. Congrats on Prime Time time slot. Congrats on Oliver! Miss seeing you in person.
Love love your show- can’t wait for the new season! And I’m really looking forward to the cookbook!!!
Absolutely! Wouldn’t miss it.
My husband and I will both be watching! It’s the trade off for my watching his hunting shows with him
. I love your show, and made your chocolate chip cookie recipe last night. They were the BEST, but I have a question: would using a standard baking sheet affect the way they turn out? I use insulated cookie sheets and the cookies were a little “cakey”.
I just watched the junk food episode. My 5 year old was drooling…lol
I have to try make those funnel cakes. They looked delicious! I love watching your show.
Dear Kelsey!
I LOVE watching your show on the Cooking Channel. I approached it with some trepidation at first, because I think I was afraid it was going to be a regurgitation of culinary school teachings – but it quickly became apparent that your culinary knowledge reaches so, so much further than that, as well as being FUN (like the Chocolate episode and the pickling episode). I love how you add personal touches, like the vanilla bean lemonade “making an appearance” at your wedding (I still have to try that!) and other memories about your life with Robbie. Food Network may have chosen wrong back in 2008, but they finally got it right – they got the right star for the right show!! CC blows FN away these days anyhow. And I didn’t even KNOW you were pregnant until I saw the Coney Island “junk food” show tonight – congratulations on your new bundle of joy!! So happy for you!! 
I have watched you ever since you first appeared on NFNS Season 4 (I think? – the first season I watched, anyway), and thought even then that you were unfairly eliminated. Well, you showed them, didn’t you?
Toni in Chicago
I agree with Toni, above, 100%. Wouldn’t miss any of your shows, and watch you every day, in reruns, sometimes twice a day! Let life and love come first, always. <3
Love your show! I watch the new episodes just now, I work night shift at a casino and sleep during the day so I watch everything in my off days. Let me tell you I got so inspired by everything you made, that I’ve been sleeping less just so I can cook more. So keep up the good work and many blessings to your family and you!
I really live your show. You feature recipes that regular people will cook. And your baby bump is adorable. My daughter is preggers too, it is so exciting. I am sure your family is the same way. Keep doing what you do.
I just watched my recording of the junk food episode and it was great, just like all of them! Congratulations on the baby! My family has followed you since Next Food Network Star and love your style and sincerity!