After 1,000 talk show episodes, Kelly Clarkson has learned the secret sauce of how to make great daytime television. Her actual culinary skills, however, may need a little more time to cook.

The “Stronger” singer, 42, celebrated hitting the major milestone by opening Thursday’s episode with a poignant monologue that looked back at just how far — both physically and metaphorically — her talk show has come since it first aired on Sept. 9, 2019.

“Over the next five and a half years, we have made 999 episodes — I cannot believe it, today marks the 1,000th. It’s crazy,” Clarkson confessed. “We have met some hugely talented people, tons of big stars, and inspiring everyday heroes. We created a community that supported each other through a lot of ups and downs — lot of ups and downs personally as well.” 

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The three-time Grammy winner noted that, over the last six seasons, the show has navigated both a global pandemic and a cross-country move from Los Angeles to its new home base in New York City. It has also seen Clarkson sport some unique looks along the way.

“I hosted the show with an eyepatch and with my leg in a cast, and those were two different shows,” Clarkson pointed out as images of her ailments were shown onscreen behind her. “Because that’s who I am.”

The only thing the series has yet to teach her is how to properly cook. “My producers learned that I wasn’t joking when I told them that I love magic like a 10-year-old and that I also can’t cook,” she explained. “I told them in the beginning. I still can’t cook.” 

Clarkson also reflected on the many Kellyoke covers she’s performed, animals she’s gotten to meet through fun interviews with stars like Joel McHale, the many holidays she’s celebrated, and the people who are making a positive impact on the world that she’s been able to meet through the show’s Rad Humans segment.

“For one thousand episodes, we have laughed together, we have cried together with beautiful stories, sang together with some people, danced together, celebrated and competed together,” she said. “I’ve lost…a lot [of games]. It’s okay!”

She added that she is “incredibly proud of what we’ve built and the community we’ve created” along the way, praising her whole crew as well as her house band, Y’all.

“We started with the intention of making connections and bringing people together and it feels like we’ve been doing just that,” Clarkson said. “And even though I still can’t cook — sorry, kids! Thank you, Postmates!” she joked. “I am grateful to everyone who has been part of this journey. It has been such a cool time.”

Clarkson concluded her monologue by cutting to a pre-taped Kellyoke performance of Whitney Houston’s legendary hit “I Have Nothing,” which was released in 1992. “We taped a special one today in honor of our 1,000th show,” she said. “We wanted to go big and bold, and we covered one of the greatest vocalists of all time.”

The Kelly Clarkson Show airs weekdays in syndication. Check your local listings.