Sandra Lee Backs Meghan Markle’s Cooking Show Amid Controversy

Let’s dive into the delightful drama surrounding Meghan Markle’s cooking show, “With Love, Meghan,” shall we? Clearly, not everyone is on board with the Duchess of Sussex’s culinary venture, but fear not—celebrity chef Sandra Lee has stepped up to defend her. In a recent tête-à-tête with US Weekly at the 2025 MUSE Awards, Lee expressed her surprise at the backlash, deeming it “unfair.” With her extensive experience in the lifestyle arena, she championed Markle’s efforts, praising the show as “well done” and “beautifully filmed.” Lee even cheekily noted, “she used my trick of using a plastic bag as a piping bag for her cake!” Talk about culinary camaraderie!
For those who’ve been living under a rock, Markle’s show debuted on March 4, 2023, as part of her and Prince Harry’s hefty $100 million Netflix deal. Featuring eight episodes, the series showcases Markle’s attempts at cooking and gardening alongside some A-list pals, including Mindy Kaling and former “Suits” co-star Abigail Spencer. While the show attracted 526,000 US households in its first five days, it paled in comparison to the 2.1 million households that tuned in for the couple’s previous docuseries. Critics have not been shy, labeling the series as “pointless,” “exhausting,” and—gasp—“boring.”
Yet Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos boldly defended Markle, asserting that she is “underestimated” in terms of her cultural influence. This echoes a broader trend where public figures are often dismissed until they prove their mettle. As Markle gears up for a second season and the launch of her lifestyle brand, As Ever, complete with a signature raspberry jam, the world watches with bated breath. Will she soar above the naysayers or flop under the pressure? One thing’s for sure: the saga isn’t over.
Class is in session, and it seems the culinary world just got a little spicier.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and US Weekly, Samba TV, Variety
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed