Old Town Alexandria Home Cook to Compete on Food Network’s 100 Cooks, Premiering This Summer
Former CIA Officer Amy Decker Trades “Covert Ops” for “Aprons and Ovens” in New National Cooking Competition
Alexandria, VA — Old Town Alexandria resident and entrepreneur Amy Decker, founder of Decker Delights, has been selected as one of the featured contestants on Food Network’s highly anticipated new cooking competition series, 100 Cooks. To celebrate the show’s premiere, Decker is also hosting an exclusive community watch party in Alexandria this June.
Hosted by Terry Crews, 100 Cooks premieres this summer and promises a high-stakes culinary showdown featuring talented home cooks from across the country.
A Nationwide Culinary Competition
According to the Warner Bros. Discovery press release, 100 Cooks brings together 100 of America’s most talented home cooks to compete in a fast-paced culinary gauntlet where contestants face elimination challenges each week until only one remains. The winner will take home a grand prize of up to $250,000.
Competitors range from firefighters and college students to corporate attorneys and stay-at-home parents, all united by a passion for food and entertaining. In each episode, contestants are randomly selected by a lottery-style “Cook Mixer” before facing surprise culinary battles determined by the “Challenge Mixer.”
The competition is judged by culinary content creator Nick DiGiovanni and Food Network star Alex Guarnaschelli, who decide which cooks advance and which are sent home.
From Intelligence Work to the Kitchen
While Decker remains tight-lipped about how far she advanced in the competition, she shared details about her unconventional path to becoming a culinary personality.
“For years, I’ve been teaching the DC community — from the Junior League of Washington to intimate home gatherings — how to master the art of easy entertaining, cooking, and baking,” Decker said.
“My journey really began during the pandemic, when I started teaching virtual cooking classes to help people stay connected during isolation. But my path to the kitchen was far from traditional. I’m a former CIA officer who rolled back my cover to pursue other passions. Trading ‘covert ops’ for ‘aprons and ovens’ has truly been the adventure of a lifetime.”
Decker explained that her television journey began almost by accident.
“What started as a ‘just for laughs’ application during COVID eventually turned into something much bigger,” she said. “I launched Decker Delights and unexpectedly caught the attention of the network. Years later, after a Google layoff suddenly cleared my schedule, the opportunity came back around — and I took it as a sign to try something completely new.”
“Despite the marathon filming days and total exhaustion, being part of this experience was a reminder that the best adventures happen when you’re brave enough to say yes to the unexpected.”
Community Watch Party at Cooper Mill
To celebrate the premiere, Decker is hosting a community watch party at one of Old Town Alexandria’s newest dining destinations The Cooper Mill.
The event will take place on Sunday, June 7, 2026, and will feature several local DMV-area chefs and culinary personalities, including:
- Tarun Sinha
- Nupe Mehta
- Maxine Chikumbo
The first hour of the evening will be reserved for friends and family before doors open to the public at 9:00 p.m.
Attendance is limited to 60 guests to maintain an intimate, celebratory atmosphere. Tickets are $25 per person and registration is required for entry. Food and beverages will be available for purchase separately through individual tabs.
RSVP Information
The RSVP deadline is Friday, May22.
Guests can register online here:
Decker Delights Watch Party Registration
Organizers encourage guests to reserve early and be among the first to watch one of the summer’s most anticipated new cooking competitions.
