Smollett Family Cooks Up New Series With Food Network

Food Network in August will chronicle the cooking exploits of the Smollett family in a new limited series Smollett Eats.

The series follows family members and actors Jussie (Empire), Jurnee (Underground), Jocqui, Jazz and Jojo (On Our Own), and Jake (Eve’s Bayou) as they serve up dishes for special events and outings, according to network officials.

"It has been long known that the Smollett family is endlessly talented and in Smollett Eats, we are excited to offer our audience an unexpected look at this tight-knit family's passion for food and entertaining," said Didi O'Hearn, Senior Vice President Programming, Food Network & Cooking Channel in a statement "The laughs are plentiful, the food is delicious and the love is strong - when this family invites you to join their table, you may never want to leave."

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.