What Happened at the Bon Appétit Test Kitchen?
And where are they now?
Remember when the Bon Appétit Test Kitchen imploded? We do! In fact, we did a two-episode breakdown of the drama that you can listen to here: #Sohladarity and It’s Dead.
If you’re wondering what happened to Claire Saffitz, Sohla El-Waylly, and everyone else after the fallout of 2020, you’ve come to the right place.
We’ve put together everything you need to know about the Bon Appétit Test Kitchen crew, including handy links to their new projects. Presented in alphabetical order by last name and with minimal editorializing.
Got an update or correction for us? Let us know at podappetitpodcast@gmail.com.
[Last updated: March 20, 2023]
Andy Baraghani
Andy Baraghani continued in his role as Senior Food Editor at Bon Appétit until August 2021. He is now working as a freelance recipe developer and has released his first cookbook.
Cookbook
Molly Baz
Molly Baz ended her video contract with Bon Appétit shortly before leaving her staff position in Oct 2020 (she remains a freelance contributor to Bon Appétit’s magazine and website). Molly has since published a New York Times bestselling cookbook, launched a podcast, created an online recipe club and line of merch, and started her own YouTube channel. Her next cookbook is available for pre-order.
Cookbooks
Merch
Podcast
Website
YouTube Series
Christina Chaey
Christina Chaey remained Senior Food Editor at Bon Appétit until September 2022.
In March 2022, Chaey announced the formation of the Condé Nast Union. She and fellow Test Kitchen personality Matt Hunziker were instrumental in unionization efforts. (And they’re a confirmed couple!)
Chaey said on Instagram: “Those of you who have followed me and followed @bonappetitmag for a while watched what unfolded at Bon Appétit in 2020. I bring this up not to dredge up the past, but to revel in a vision for the future where we can secure better, fairer, more just working conditions (yes, including fair pay!) for the next generation of workers across Condé Nast.”
Alex Delany
Alex Delany stepped down as Drinks Editor in February 2021 but remains a freelance contributor to Bon Appétit. Delany is also a freelance food and hospitality consultant.
Podcast
Sohla El-Waylly
Sohla El-Waylly announced in August 2020 that she would no longer appear in Bon Appétit videos and departed from the magazine and website soon after—and she’s never looked back!
Sohla continues to be a YouTube sensation, starring in several video series across various channels. She also has a new cookbook available for pre-order and is a judge on Dan Levy’s HBO Max cooking competition “The Big Brunch.”
Cookbook
Newsletter
TV Show
The Big Brunch (HBO Max)
Website
YouTube Series
Ancient Recipes with Sohla (The History Channel)
Mystery Menu with Sohla and Ham (NYT Cooking)
Off-Script with Sohla (Food52)
Stump Sohla (Babish Culinary Universe)
Hawa Hassan
Hawa Hassan has made no further video appearances on Bon Appétit’s YouTube channel. She is now starring in her own Cooking Channel and Food Network shows.
Basbaas Foods
Cookbook
TV Show
Spice of Life (Cooking Channel)
Web Series
Hawa at Home (Food Network)
Matt Hunziker
Matt “Hunzi” Hunziker returned to his role as Video Editor at Bon Appétit in August 2020 following his controversial suspension.
In March 2022, Hunzi announced the formation of the Condé Nast Union. He and fellow Test Kitchen personality Christina Chaey were instrumental in unionization efforts. (And they’re a confirmed couple!)
Once the union was established, Hunzi left Bon Appétit in October 2022.
Priya Krishna
Priya Krishna cut ties with Bon Appéit video in August 2020 but remains a freelance contributor to the magazine and website. Priya is also a food reporter for The New York Times and a best-selling cookbook author.
Cookbooks
Priya’s Kitchen Adventures: A Cookbook for Kids (Announced)
Website
YouTube Series
On the Job With Priya Krishna (NYT Cooking)
Carla Lalli Music
Carla Lalli Music ended her video contract with Bon Appétit in August 2020 and left her editorial position later that December (she remains a freelance contributor to Bon Appétit’s magazine and website). Carla has since launched her own web series, published another cookbook, and created a podcast with Rick Martinez.
Carla’s Cooking Show
Cookbooks
Newsletter
Podcast
Website
Brad Leone
Brad Leone continued in his role as Test Kitchen Video Host until December 2022, when Brad and Bon Appétit mutually decided to end his full-time contract. Brad published his first cookbook in 2021, has several brand partnerships, and started his own YouTube channel.
Cookbook
Field Notes for Food Adventure
Website
YouTube Series
Ramble On with Brad Leone (Huckberry)
Rick Martinez
Rick Martinez parted ways with Bon Appétit video in August 2020 but remains a freelance contributor to the magazine and website. Rick now stars in various online video series and cohosts a podcast with Carla Lalli Music. He has also published his first cookbook.
Cookbook
Podcast
Website
YouTube Series
Pruébalo (Babish Culinary Universe)
Mi Cocina with Rick Martinez (Food52)
Sweet Heat with Rick Martinez (Food52)
Gaby Melian
Gaby Melian cut ties with Bon Appéit video in August 2020, but she continued in her role as Test Kitchen Manager until November 2020. She now shares organizational tips and easy recipes online. Gaby has also authored a nonfiction young adult book and a cookbook for kids.
Books
Videos
Website
Chris Morocco
Chris Morocco remains Test Kitchen Director at Bon Appétit, appearing regularly in the Reverse Engineering video series. Chris is also the host of Bon Appétit’s podcast, Dinner SOS.
Podcast
Adam Rapoport
Honestly, who cares? But also, who knows?
Claire Saffitz
Claire Saffitz elected not to continue her relationship with Bon Appétit video after her contract ended in May 2020, but she remains a freelance contributor to the magazine and website. Claire has since published two New York Times bestselling cookbooks and launched a companion YouTube channel.
Cookbooks
Patreon
Videos
Website
Amiel Stanek
Amiel Stanek has made no further video appearances on Bon Appétit’s YouTube channel but remains a freelance contributor to the magazine and website, among other publications. He’s probably making “mmm” mouth sounds somewhere right now.
Ryan Walker-Hartshorn
Ryan Walker-Hartshorn left Bon Appétit in August 2020. She is now serving as a consultant on a comedy series from HBO Max inspired by the blowup at Bon Appétit.
[Note: Also pictured in the top photo are Rhoda Boone, Food Director at Bon Appétit (far left), and Sarah Jampel, Senior Editor, Cooking at Bon Appétit (front row, far right).]
The good ol’ days 🥲