RFK Jr. Is Launching a Cooking Show — And Sauerkraut Is On the Menu

Get ready to see the Health and Human Services Secretary trade policy briefings for a skillet. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is stepping into a kitchen alongside celebrity chefs for a new cooking series called "The Real Food Show," launching July 30.

The goal, according to Kennedy, is to make the government's new Dietary Guidelines feel practical rather than abstract — translating official nutrition advice into meals people can actually cook at home without a huge grocery bill. A longtime advocate for fermented foods, Kennedy said the show's recipes will lean into staples like kimchi, sauerkraut, and yogurt.

What The New Guidelines Actually Say

The updated Dietary Guidelines, unveiled in January, shift emphasis toward protein at every meal, full-fat dairy, vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. The accompanying slogan — "Eat Real Food" — has become something of a rallying cry among Kennedy's broader circle of supporters, including boxer Mike Tyson.

Kennedy pushed back on a common criticism of the new guidelines: that eating this way costs more than relying on ultra-processed food. He argued that's simply not accurate, and the show itself is designed to prove it — HHS says most recipes will be built around keeping costs under $5 per serving wherever possible.

The first episodes will feature chefs Andrew Gruel and Robert Irvine, with the series airing online. Kennedy's debut recipe alongside Gruel: crispy salmon cakes served with an apple, white bean, and green salad.

"Americans Have Forgotten How To Cook"

Kennedy framed the show as part of a broader mission to reintroduce home cooking as a practical, everyday skill — one he believes has quietly faded. He pointed to fast food as a prime example of the misconception he's trying to correct, noting that a typical fast food meal running $12 to $14 isn't actually cheaper than cooking a healthier meal at home. The real obstacle, he argued, isn't cost — it's that cooking itself has become something of a lost skill for a lot of people.

That's not universally true, though. A 2023 study published in the peer-reviewed journal Current Developments in Nutrition, from the American Society for Nutrition, found that more than half of men and nearly three-quarters of women still cook regularly at home.

Cooking As Connection, Not Just Nutrition

Beyond the practical pitch, Kennedy described cooking in more personal terms — calling it a kind of sacred ritual that's been largely abandoned in modern life. He connected that loss directly to what he described as a broader epidemic of isolation in the country, arguing that addiction itself often stems from disconnection. His pitch: rebuilding the habit of cooking together as a family isn't just about better meals, it's a way of rebuilding connection between people.

Behind The Scenes At Home

Kennedy was candid about his own limitations in the kitchen, giving credit where it's due — his wife, actor Cheryl Hines, is by his own admission the far better cook of the two. While he handles what he called two fairly basic meals a day, Hines takes over when guests come over or the kids are visiting, and he described her as someone who genuinely loves both cooking and baking.

His own repertoire is fairly modest: eggs and bacon, burgers, and a solid omelet technique he picked up from Gruel, the chef joining him for the show's first episode. Steak, meat, and fish round out what he considers his specialties.

The Sauerkraut Habit

Kennedy's fondness for fermented foods runs deep enough that he used to bring his own sauerkraut with him to restaurants — a habit he's since given up after one recurring source of pushback: his wife, who he said found it difficult to transport without spilling, which tended to create its own set of problems.

These days, he sticks to store-bought sauerkraut rather than making his own, and he described what he considers the proper way to eat it — alternating bite for bite with meat, though he admitted he doesn't always follow that method perfectly.

A Cabinet Full Of "Meats And Ferments"

Kennedy isn't the only member of the Trump administration following this eating style. He named Vice President JD Vance, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy as fellow adherents, saying all of them have lost weight following the same general approach. Asked how it feels to be considered something of a weight-loss influence within the Cabinet, Kennedy laughed and admitted it comes with a fair amount of pressure.

"I Will Literally Eat Anything"

When asked about the most adventurous food he's eaten, Kennedy didn't hesitate — he said he simply doesn't have a gag reflex, which makes him willing to try nearly anything, including food from street vendors while traveling abroad.

Despite his current preference for a meat-and-fermented-food-heavy diet, Kennedy has experimented with going vegan on multiple occasions. None of those attempts have lasted particularly long. He described the pull back toward protein as almost instinctual, joking that his wife would say his longest vegan stretch topped out at about 24 hours. He said he'd do all the prep work and set the kitchen up properly, but ultimately couldn't sustain it — admitting he simply felt hungry the entire time.

Curious for more stories that keep you informed and entertained? From the latest headlines to everyday insights, YourLifeBuzz has more to explore. Dive into what’s next.