After the restaurant grind wore me down, I never thought a global pandemic would help me rediscover my passion for playing in the kitchen.

We’re thrilled to welcome Sohla El-Waylly to the show for the first time. Sohla is a prodigious recipe developer, a fixture of food YouTube, and a judge on HBO’s cooking competition The Big Brunch—plus a friend of Aliza’s. This week, Aliza and Sohla unpack Sohla’s background before becoming one of the most viral stars in food media today, her thoughts on the ever-controversial brunch, the concept behind her debut cookbook, and much more.

Instead of deconstructing the divisive meal, the HBO Max series focuses on the chefs behind it.

The show features 10 chef-contestants, all trying to do good in the world while making delicious food, and three judges, Dan, chef and video personality Sohla El-Waylly, and hospitality pro Will Guidara.

Chef Sohla El-Waylly shows Seth how to make a quick French omelet and talks about being a judge on HBO Max's The Big Brunch.

Culinary chef and writer Sohla El-Waylly joins the 3rd Hour of TODAY with a recipe for a mixed greens skillet spanakopita. She also explains how to massage your greens and which to pick out.

Chef Sohla El-Waylly shows Seth how to make a quick French omelet and talks about being a judge on HBO Max's The Big Brunch.

“We belong, we belong, we belong. AAPI history is American history.”

After the restaurant grind wore me down, I never thought a global pandemic would help me rediscover my passion for playing in the kitchen.

After leaving Bon Appétit, the chef now has her own show — where she’s paid fairly for her fantastic creations.