If you’ve spent any time watching the Food Network or Bravo over the last decade, you know Brooke Williamson. She’s the powerhouse who won Top Chef Season 14, conquered Tournament of Champions, and now stands as a "Titan" on Bobby’s Triple Threat. But for the die-hard fans who follow her beyond the screen, there is one name that pops up more than any other: Hudson Roberts.
He’s the kid who literally grew up in the back of some of Los Angeles’ most famous kitchens.
Honestly, it’s kinda wild to look back at the old clips. When Brooke was competing in the Top Chef finale in Charleston back in 2017, Hudson was this nine-year-old kid with shaggy hair, nervously watching his mom cook for a title that would change their lives. Fast forward to 2026, and the "mini-me" narrative has officially been retired. Hudson Roberts is 17 now. He’s driving himself to school, towering over his mom, and navigating the weird, high-pressure world of having two famous chefs for parents while his family life makes national headlines.
Who Exactly Is Hudson Roberts?
To understand Hudson, you have to understand the partnership that created him. Hudson Roberts is the only son of Brooke Williamson and her longtime business partner and ex-husband, Nick Roberts.
They met in the early 2000s while working at a restaurant called Zax in Brentwood. It was a classic "chef meets chef" story. They didn't just fall in love; they built an empire. By the time Hudson was born on February 16, 2008, Brooke and Nick were already deep into the L.A. restaurant scene.
They actually named their first major independent venture, Hudson House in Redondo Beach, after him.
💡 You might also like: Ozzy Osbourne Younger Years: The Brutal Truth About Growing Up in Aston
Think about that for a second. Most kids get a college fund; Hudson got a gastropub. There is even a famous mural on the outside of the building featuring a younger Hudson snorkeling with a trident. It’s basically a local landmark in the South Bay. Growing up, Hudson didn't have a "normal" childhood with 9-to-5 parents and weekend soccer games. His "after-school care" was rolling silverware at Playa Provisions or handing out ice cream samples at Small Batch to earn his allowance.
The Divorce and the New Family Dynamic
For years, Brooke and Nick were the "it" couple of the culinary world. They seemed inseparable. But things shifted. By 2024, the news finally broke that Brooke and Nick had finalized their divorce.
It was a shock to fans, but the transition seems to have been handled with a lot of maturity. They still co-own their restaurants. They still work together on menus. Most importantly, they are incredibly tight when it comes to Hudson.
Then came the Bobby Flay factor.
In early 2025, it was confirmed that Brooke Williamson and Bobby Flay—arguably the biggest name in food television—were officially dating. This wasn't just a tabloid rumor; they’ve been public about it, sharing photos of New Year’s Eve 2026 and joking about their "Brady Bunch" style blended family.
📖 Related: Noah Schnapp: Why the Stranger Things Star is Making Everyone Talk Right Now
Flay has been very vocal about how much he respects the way Brooke raises Hudson. During a recent interview on Elvis Duran and the Morning Show, Flay talked about his "commitment ring" to Brooke, clarifying that while they aren't getting married (both have been down that road), they are life partners. He mentioned how Hudson is now a huge part of the mix, alongside Flay’s own adult daughter, Sophie.
What’s Hudson Roberts Up To Now?
If you check Brooke’s Instagram lately, she’s been getting sentimental. It’s that classic "mom of a teenager" vibe. She recently posted about the "unforgettable evening" she had with Hudson at Alinea in Beverly Hills.
He wasn't a little kid in a hoodie anymore. He was in a sharp black suit, looking more like a man than a boy.
One of the funniest things Brooke has shared lately is her "coping mechanism" for Hudson growing up. In September 2025, she posted a video of herself frantically making crepes just to distract herself from the fact that Hudson had officially started driving himself to school.
Here is the reality of being Hudson Roberts in 2026:
👉 See also: Nina Yankovic Explained: What Weird Al’s Daughter Is Doing Now
- He’s an athlete: While he grew up in kitchens, he’s spent a lot of time on the coast surfing and cycling, much like his dad, Nick.
- He’s a "Maxi-Me": Brooke jokes that he’s no longer her "mini-me" because he’s so much taller than her now.
- He’s a food critic by default: Having two (and now effectively three, with Bobby) world-class chefs in his life, the kid probably has the most sophisticated palate of any 17-year-old in California.
The Pressure of the "Hudson House" Legacy
People always ask if Hudson is going to be a chef. It’s the obvious question, right? But honestly, Brooke and Nick have always been pretty vocal about letting him find his own path.
Brooke once said in an interview with Tasting Table that their "normalcy is not normal." Hudson was raised to be adaptable. He knows how to talk to adults, how to handle the chaos of a kitchen, and how to stay calm when cameras are around. Whether he picks up a chef’s knife or goes into a completely different field, that "restaurant brat" upbringing gave him a level of grit you just don't get in a classroom.
Why This Matters for the Fans
The reason people are so obsessed with Hudson Roberts and Brooke Williamson’s family life is because we’ve watched them evolve in real-time. We saw the rise of their restaurants, the victory on Top Chef, the quiet end of a long marriage, and the start of a high-profile new chapter.
It’s a reminder that even for "Titans" of the industry, the most important job is just being a parent.
If you're following Brooke's journey, the best way to keep up isn't just watching her on Triple Threat. It's seeing how she navigates this home stretch before Hudson heads off to college. She’s currently leaning into her "empty nester" prep, which means more cooking content and more glimpses into their life in Westchester, L.A.
Next Steps for Brooke Williamson Fans:
- Check out Playa Provisions: If you’re in L.A., this is still the crown jewel of their restaurant group. It’s where the family dynamic really lives.
- Watch the "Triple Threat" dynamics: Now that the Flay/Williamson relationship is public, the chemistry on that show is even more interesting to watch.
- Follow the "Sun-Kissed" journey: Brooke’s debut cookbook, Sun-Kissed Cooking, dropped recently. It’s the best way to see the "at home" side of the food she makes for Hudson.