Bobby Flay, the BBQ Boy Wonder of Food Network, is reportedly saying goodbye to Food Network after 27 years. According to Variety, the celebrity chef had been in negotiations about his contract which is set to expire at the end of the year. The network reportedly ended the negotiations, thus Chef Bobby Flay is expected to no longer work with the network after the year is over. Is it possible he'll start his own network just like Chip and Joanna?
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Bobby Flay's Food Network Career
Cooking has always been in Flay's blood. In fact, he asked his father for an Easy Bake Oven when he was 8, his father objecting that a G.I. Joe would be more gender appropriate. He received both and started falling in love with food.
At 17, he was making salads at Joe Allen Restaurant in Manhattan's Theater District, where his father was a partner. Flay showed so much promise that The proprietor, Joe Allen decided to pay Flay's tuition to the French Culinary Institute.
A member of the first graduating class of the French Culinary Institute in 1984, Flay quickly jumped into the cooking world, working for restaurateur Jonathan Waxman at Bud and Jams. It was here he learned southwestern and Cajun cuisine.
In 1991 he was named the Executive chef at Mesa Grill. Meanwhile, Food Network was beginning to take shape before its debut. Flay was asked to host one of the network's first shows, Grillin' & Chillin', which premiered in 1996.
Grillin' & Chillin'
In the 90s, cooking shows were focused on one thing: cooking! Cooking competitions weren't even a thought at the time, and the network prided itself on its informative cooking instruction. City slicker Bobby and Country Jack shared the best tips and tricks to cable viewers.
Hot Off the Grill
Flay and co-host Jacqui Malouf, entertain friends and neighbors in their "home", creating drool-worthy dishes in a fun and friendly environment.
Boy Meets Grill
His first solo gig, Boy Meets Grill is one of Flay's most recognizable shows. Grilling on his New York City rooftop, Flay grills everything from lobsters to dessert.
BBQ With Bobby Flay
Hitting the road, Flay travels the country in search of all that is grilled, smoked, barbecued and enjoyed.
Throwdown! With Bobby Flay
Is Bobby Flay better at cooking than the masters? Flay surprises unsuspecting chefs and challenges them to a throwdown of their signature dish.
Grill It! With Bobby Flay
The early 2000s were the start of the cooking competition show hype, and this show was no exception. This show featured Thirteen lucky Food Network viewers who battled Chef Flay with their signature dish. The only kicker is that he doesn't know what they are making until the day off.
The Best Thing I Ever Ate
Still on air, Bobby Flay, along with other food stars and chefs, share their favorite meals, recipes, and places to get a bite.
Bobby Flay's Barbecue Addiction
Cooking in the yard, Flay showcases his expert grilling techniques in surprising new ways, showing how addicted he is to grilling.
Brunch at Bobby's
Feel like you're in Flay's kitchen while watching him prepare brunch favorites.
Worst Cooks in America
Currently streaming on Discovery Plus, Bobby Flay co-hosted two seasons of this silly cooking competition show.
Bobby's Dinner Battle
Using a limited budget, America's most outstanding home cooks have only three hours to transform a secret theme into a spectacular three-course dinner party for Bobby, their competition, and a special guest.
Beat Bobby Flay
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYwKUQLuIr0
Similar to Throwdown! With Bobby Flay, Beat Bobby Flay gives chefs the chance to try and win against the celebrity chef. This show is still airing.
The Bobby and Damaris Show
Damaris Phillips from The Next Food Network Star and Chef Bobby Flay hit it off instantly in the kitchen. So they decided to make a show together.
The Flay List
Follow along with Bobby and daughter Sophie as they eat their way through New York City.
The Next Food Network Star
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEQMOx19tvs
It's the show that thrust Guy Fieri into stardom! Flay was a coach during seasons 5-9 along with Giada De Laurentiis and Alton Brown.
Iron Chef America
The first time Flay battled on Iron Chef America he lost Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto in the rock crab battle. When the timer ran out Flay stood on his cutting board and started celebrating prematurely. Morimoto was offended by his unprofessional manner and said Flay was "not a chef".
What's Next For Bobby Flay?
He is the current owner and executive chef of multiple restaurants such as Amalfi in Las Vegas, Gato in New York,and Bobby's Burger Palace in 19 locations across 11 states. He also currently hosts a cooking podcast with his daughter Sophie. There is still time for a new contract to be written, but if not, Flay will leave Food Network and move on to different things.
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