Brooke Williamson Opens Up About Filming ‘Triple Threat’ With Bobby Flay. From appearing as an official couple to welcoming a new energy on set, Brooke’s honest reflection reveals more than fans expected— hinting at a deeper transformation unfolding quietly.

The Food Network star chatted with PEOPLE about the show’s addition of new titan Ayesha Nurdjaja at the New York City Wine & Food Festival

Brooke Williamson is reflecting on season 4 of Bobby’s Triple Threat.

​​Speaking with PEOPLE at the Grand Tasting: After Dark presented by Montchevre Goat Cheese at the New York City Wine and Food Festival on Saturday, Oct. 18, Williamson said the addition of Ayesha Nurdjaja has been the best part of the Food Network series’ latest installment.

Earlier this year, PEOPLE announced that Nurdjaja would replace Tiffany Derry on the culinary competition show. The chef-partner of Shuka restaurant in New York City joined veteran titans Williamson and Michael Voltaggio, who’ve been on Triple Threat since it premiered in 2022.

“Of course, we miss Tiffany,” Williamson says. “Tiffany will always be one of the titans, but Ayesha has been so much fun to get to know on a personal and competitive professional level.”

“She’s been a phenomenal addition to the show,” she adds. “She’s witty, she’s fun, she’s crazy talented. And I think for Michael and I both, I would say that getting to know Ayesha and her vast range of skills has been a highlight.”

In each episode of the series, a guest chef takes on the trio of titans in three rounds, where the competitors are challenged with surprise ingredients. The contestant wins $25,000 if they beat Nurdjaja, Voltaggio and Williamson.

Williamson had more praise for Nurdjaja’s contributions to the show.

“She brings an energy like no other, whether it be in life or in the kitchen,” the Sunkissed Cooking author says. “And she has a whole very different set of skills. Much like Tiffany brought a different set of skills to the kitchen and we learned from her, Ayesha is just this fresh new look, new spin at how to repurpose the ingredients that we’re given.”

Season 4, which premiered on Sept. 2, has been the show’s first season with Williamson and host Bobby Flay as an official couple.

The celebrity chefs, both of whom also appear on the Food Network series BBQ Brawl, took their romance public in March.

Williamson, who was co-hosting the event with Flay at the Invesco QQQ Festival Campus in the Seaport, also weighed in on why the pair’s relationship works.

“I think respect and friendship and a deep understanding of who each other are,” she says, adding, “Foundational respect for each other.”

Flay recently posted an Instagram photo of Williamson’s hand in her jean pocket and a big diamond ring sticking out, writing simply, “it’s casual.”

Williamson says “there’s not a huge story behind” the ring.

“He’s a very generous, wonderful, romantic man and it was a really thoughtful gift and that’s what it is,” she explained.

As she continued reflecting on the season, Williamson admitted that sharing both a kitchen and a life with Flay has added “a new layer of joy” to the experience — even if it sometimes puts a brighter spotlight on them. She laughed recalling how fans speculate about every on-screen glance, insisting that what people see is simply “two chefs who really love what they do and really care about each other.” Still, she acknowledged that the pressure has grown now that their relationship is public, saying it’s pushed them to “show up even stronger” — both as competitors and as partners — as Triple Threat enters its boldest season yet.