Bobby Flay

Bobby Flay Profile

Celebrity chef Bobby Flay has redefined the way many people think of healthy food. The Food Network personality and owner of multiple restaurants is famous for his signature American southwestern cuisine, flavorful nutritional meals, and making it trendy for men to be in the kitchen.

Flay realized his passion at a young age; his father’s restaurant partner was so impressed by his talent and dedication that he paid for Flay’s education at the French Cuisine Institute of New York City. One of his earliest jobs introduced him to the southwestern and Cajun flavors so closely associated now with his career. His restaurants, where he can still be found in the kitchen, include the Mesa Grill, Bobby Flay Steak, Gato, and Bobby’s Burger Palace which spans across 11 states.

Winner of four Daytime Emmies, Flay has hosted various programs and specials since 1996; most recently he can be seen on Beat Bobby Flay, Bobby Flay Fit, Barbecue Addiction and Food Network Star. In 2015 he became the first chef to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Eager to share his love of cooking, Flay is the author of 12 cookbooks. Every year he awards the Bobby Flay Scholarship, which covers full tuition expenses for a culinary arts student. He is also passionate about horses and has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to ensure that aging Thoroughbreds receive humane treatment after retirement.

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  • Bobby Flay′s culinary versatility is evident in the multiple talents he brings to the field: as a critically-acclaimed chef/restaurateur, award-winning cookbook author and television personality. However his first priority always remains with his restaurants.

  Flay discovered his culinary identity at the age of 17, working as a cook at the famed theatre district haunt, Joe Allen′s. This eventually led Flay to study at The French Culinary Institute where he earned the first “Outstanding Graduate Award” in 1993.

  After working at several NYC restaurants, Flay developed his own style of American southwestern food incorporating ingredients such as chiles, avocados, and beans. Flay took his innovative cuisine and opened Mesa Grill, his first restaurant in 1991. This earned him widespread acclaim, including the “Best Restaurant 1992” award for Mesa Grill by New York Magazine′s Gael Greene.

  Bolo Restaurant & Bar opened in November 1993 in the Flatiron district. That same year, Flay was voted the James Beard Foundation′s Rising Star Chef of the Year 1993, an award that honors the country′s most accomplished chef under the age of 30.

  In 2004, Flay opened another Mesa Grill at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. In April 2005, Bar Americain opened featuring Flay′s regional American cuisine. In June 2006, Flay opened his first steakhouse, Bobby Flay Steak, at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City. In March 2007, Flay opened his 6th restaurant, Mesa Grill Bahamas, at The Cove Atlantis. In November 2009, Bobby opened his second Bar Americain location at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT.

  In addition to his restaurants, Flay shares his knowledge and enthusiasm for food through his cookbooks and his many national cooking shows on the Food Network, Cooking Channel and NBC.

  Flay possesses a remarkable ability to create and retain the individual character of each of his projects, insisting on uniqueness and integrity. He works tirelessly to challenge diners′ expectations and influence the way Americans view and taste food – making it bold, zesty and always fun.