As Food Network prepares to launch its ambitious new culinary competition 100 Cooks, host Terry Crews is opening up about what it was really like filming the massive series—and according to him, the biggest surprise had nothing to do with the food.

In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE ahead of the show’s premiere, Crews revealed that what stood out most during production was the unexpected sense of community among the contestants. With 100 home cooks competing for a grand prize of up to $250,000, he initially expected the atmosphere to be intense, cutthroat, and highly competitive. Instead, he discovered something completely different.

“Honestly, I thought it would get vicious,” Crews admitted. “But it did not.”

The new series places 100 home cooks inside a stadium-sized kitchen arena where they must navigate unpredictable culinary challenges while trying to survive each round of competition. The scale of the production is unlike anything Food Network has attempted before, leading many viewers to compare it to major reality competition franchises.

Crews himself embraced that comparison early on.

When he first learned about the concept, he immediately saw similarities to his longtime hosting role on America’s Got Talent.

“I said, ‘Man, it’s like AGT for food,’” he recalled.

As one of Food Network’s self-proclaimed biggest fans, Crews said joining the project felt like a natural fit. He has long enjoyed the network’s programming and was excited by the opportunity to help showcase talented home cooks from across the country.

Unlike many cooking competitions that focus on professional chefs, 100 Cooks centers on everyday people with a passion for food. Contestants include firefighters, college students, lawyers, stay-at-home parents, and former athletes, all hoping to prove their culinary skills on a national stage.

According to Crews, that distinction became one of the show’s defining characteristics.

“What surprised me most was the heart of the show,” he explained.

He believes home cooks often approach food differently than professional chefs. Rather than focusing on prestige or culinary accolades, many of the competitors simply want to bring joy to others through their cooking.

For Crews, that spirit was visible throughout filming.

Even with a quarter-million dollars on the line, contestants frequently helped one another during challenges. Instead of celebrating mistakes made by their competitors, many participants actively tried to prevent them.

During several challenges, contestants watching from the sidelines would shout warnings and advice to the cooks currently competing. Some reminded others when food was in danger of burning, while others offered quick tips to help save a struggling dish.

The surprising level of support created an atmosphere that Crews says felt more like a family gathering than a television competition.

“I feel like all 100 of those cooks are part of my family,” he said.

Another aspect of the series that resonated deeply with the former NFL player was the number of contestants who came from athletic backgrounds. Crews connected with several former athletes whose sports careers ended earlier than expected and who later found a new sense of purpose through cooking.

Their stories struck a personal chord.

Before becoming an actor, television host, and entertainment personality, Crews spent years pursuing a professional football career. He understands the challenge of reinventing oneself after leaving a competitive field and admired the way many contestants turned to food as a new passion.

Beyond the contestants, Crews also formed strong friendships with the show’s judges, Alex Guarnaschelli and Nick DiGiovanni.

The host joked that he constantly bombarded both judges with cooking questions throughout production. Whether asking about the best way to sear scallops or improve his own kitchen skills, Crews took advantage of every opportunity to learn from them.

“These are my homies now,” he said, describing the close bond they developed while filming.

As the premiere approaches, Food Network is betting big on 100 Cooks, a series that combines a massive scale with deeply personal stories. While viewers may tune in expecting high-stakes culinary battles, Crews believes they will discover something far more meaningful.

For him, the true story of 100 Cooks is not about the prize money, the eliminations, or even the food itself. It is about a group of everyday people coming together through a shared love of cooking and proving that competition does not always have to come at the expense of kindness.

If Crews’ experience on set is any indication, 100 Cooks may offer something increasingly rare in reality television: a competition driven as much by heart as by ambition.