Just watched the finale of a tournament on Chopped between Sarah and Hosea. Sarah won $50,000 and kept her Southern point of view throughout. I think it may have been played after Top Chef because she referenced her daughters. Wasn't Top Chef very soon after she gave birth?
IMO Jeff is well suited for this program. He rolls with what happens and gives good advice without acting personally offended by being asked to be a host.
Back when the Christmas Cookie Challenge had a panel of judges, they had Gesine, Damiano, Jason, Zach, and other real baking authorities in addition to Ree (ugh).
My friend was a contestant back in 1990. I went along with her and her mother. The show did not pay for any expenses; we paid our own way from New York. In those days, the non-winners got prizes, not money. IIRC, she got a wall unit and candy.