History of Bobby Flay in Timeline
Bobby Flay is a renowned American celebrity chef, restaurateur, television personality, and author. He owns and operates several successful restaurants, including Bobby's Burger Palace and Amalfi. Flay has been a prominent figure on the Food Network since 1995, earning him four Daytime Emmy Awards and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He is known for his expertise in Southwestern cuisine and grilling, and his contributions have significantly impacted the culinary landscape and food entertainment industry.
December 10, 1964: Robert William Flay's Birth
On December 10, 1964, Robert William Flay, who would become a celebrity chef, food writer, restaurateur, and television personality, was born.
1984: Graduation from French Culinary Institute
In 1984, Bobby Flay graduated from the French Culinary Institute as part of its first graduating class, earning a degree in culinary arts.
1988: Executive Chef at Miracle Grill
In 1988, Bobby Flay became the executive chef of Miracle Grill in the East Village.
1990: End of Tenure at Miracle Grill
In 1990, Bobby Flay ended his tenure as the executive chef at Miracle Grill in the East Village.
January 15, 1991: Mesa Grill Opening
On January 15, 1991, Bobby Flay became the executive chef of Mesa Grill, which opened its doors.
May 11, 1991: Marriage to Debra Ponzek
On May 11, 1991, Bobby Flay married Debra Ponzek, who is also a chef.
November 1993: Bolo Bar & Restaurant Opening
In November 1993, Bobby Flay partnered with Laurence Kretchmer to open Bolo Bar & Restaurant in the Flatiron District.
1993: Divorce from Debra Ponzek
In 1993, Bobby Flay and Debra Ponzek divorced.
1995: Food Network Debut
In 1995, Bobby Flay began his appearances on the Food Network, marking the start of his career as a television personality.
1995: Marriage to Kate Connelly
In 1995, Bobby Flay married his second wife, Kate Connelly.
1996: The Main Ingredient Hosting
In 1996, Bobby Flay hosted The Main Ingredient with Bobby Flay on Lifetime Television.
1998: Separation from Kate Connelly
In 1998, Bobby Flay and Kate Connelly separated.
2000: Iron Chef Battle and Controversy
In 2000, Bobby Flay challenged Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto to a rock crab battle on Iron Chef in New York. Flay lost and was criticized for standing on his cutting board, which Morimoto considered disrespectful.
November 18, 2003: Pyramid Appearance
On November 18, 2003, Bobby Flay appeared on the television game show Pyramid with Mario Batali.
2003: Bobby Flay Scholarship Establishment
In 2003, Bobby Flay established the Bobby Flay Scholarship to the French Culinary Institute, awarded annually to a student in the Long Island City Culinary Arts Program.
2004: Judge on Wickedly Perfect
During the 2004 season, Bobby Flay appeared as a judge on the CBS television show "Wickedly Perfect".
2004: Second Mesa Grill Opening
In 2004, Bobby Flay opened a second Mesa Grill location at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.
February 20, 2005: Marriage to Stephanie March
On February 20, 2005, Bobby Flay married actress Stephanie March.
September 22, 2005: Law & Order: SVU Appearance
On September 22, 2005, Bobby Flay appeared in the Law & Order: Special Victims Unit episode "Design".
2005: Bar Americain Opening
In 2005, Bobby Flay opened Bar Americain, an American Brasserie, in Midtown Manhattan.
November 12, 2006: Iron Chef America Loss
On November 12, 2006, Bobby Flay and Giada De Laurentiis were defeated by Mario Batali and Rachael Ray on a special episode of Iron Chef America.
2006: East Broadway Role
In 2006, Bobby Flay had a small role as himself in the film East Broadway.
March 28, 2007: Third Mesa Grill Opening
On March 28, 2007, Bobby Flay opened a third Mesa Grill in the Bahamas, located in The Cove at Atlantis Paradise Island.
December 31, 2007: Bolo Bar & Restaurant Closing
On December 31, 2007, Bolo Bar & Restaurant closed to make way for a condominium.
March 12, 2008: Jeopardy! Category
On March 12, 2008, Jeopardy! featured a special "Throwdown with Bobby Flay" category.
July 15, 2008: First Bobby's Burger Palace Opening
On July 15, 2008, Bobby Flay opened his first Bobby's Burger Palace (BBP) at the Smith Haven Mall in Lake Grove, Long Island.
November 16, 2008: Iron Chef America Victory
On November 16, 2008, Bobby Flay and Michael Symon defeated Cat Cora and Masaharu Morimoto on Iron Chef America: "Thanksgiving Showdown".
2009: Sirius XM Radio Show
In 2009, Bobby Flay hosted a weekly call-in show on Sirius XM Satellite Radio, offering advice on various topics with a focus on food.
July 2010: Iron Chef America Loss to Chuck Hughes
In July 2010, Montreal cooking show host Chuck Hughes beat Bobby Flay on Iron Chef America, becoming the youngest Canadian champ.
2010: South Park Impersonation
In 2010, Bobby Flay was impersonated in the South Park cartoon episode "Crème Fraiche".
March 2011: Iron Chef America Episode Airs
In March 2011, the Iron Chef America episode recorded in July 2010, where Chuck Hughes beat Bobby Flay, was broadcast.
May 2011: America's Next Great Restaurant Finale
In May 2011, Bobby Flay picked a restaurant team to open a restaurant with in the finale of America's Next Great Restaurant on NBC. The show was then cancelled.
2011: Entourage Appearance
In 2011, Bobby Flay had recurring appearances in the final season of Entourage as the boyfriend of Ari Gold's wife.
2012: Portlandia Appearance
In 2012, Bobby Flay appeared on Portlandia in a director's cut of the episode Brunch Village.
September 2013: Original Mesa Grill Closure
In September 2013, the original Mesa Grill in New York closed due to a proposed rent increase.
2014: Breeders' Cup Board of Directors
In 2014, Bobby Flay served on the Breeders' Cup board of directors.
July 2015: Divorce from Stephanie March
In July 2015, Bobby Flay and Stephanie March divorced.
February 2016: Relationship with Heléne Yorke
In February 2016, Bobby Flay began dating Heléne Yorke.
2016: Younger Guest Appearance
In 2016, Bobby Flay guest-starred as himself on season two of the TV series Younger.
2018: Scooby-Doo! and the Gourmet Ghost Role
In 2018, Bobby Flay appeared as Fred Jones' uncle in the animated film Scooby-Doo! and the Gourmet Ghost.
2018: End of Breeders' Cup Board Service
In 2018, Bobby Flay ended his service on the Breeders' Cup board of directors.
September 2019: Estimated Net Worth
As of September 2019, Bobby Flay's estimated net worth was $30 million.
2019: End of Relationship with Heléne Yorke
In early 2019, Bobby Flay's relationship with Heléne Yorke ended.
April 2021: Made by Nacho Launch
In April 2021, Bobby Flay, with Elly Truesdell and Katja Lang, launched Made by Nacho, a premium cat food company.
May 2021: Mesa Grill Conversion to Amalfi
In May 2021, Bobby Flay converted the Mesa Grill in Caesars Palace to an Italian restaurant called Amalfi. He also updated the menu and changed the name of his Las Vegas Bobby's Burger Palace to Bobby's Burgers.
October 2021: Reported Food Network Departure
In October 2021, it was reported that Bobby Flay would leave Food Network after a 27-year run due to contract disagreements.
November 2021: New Food Network Deal
In November 2021, Bobby Flay signed a new three-year deal with Food Network.
2022: One Delicious Christmas Role
In 2022, Bobby Flay played a food and restaurant critic in the seasonal made-for-TV movie One Delicious Christmas.
October 2023: Death of Nacho
In October 2023, Bobby Flay announced that his Maine Coon cat, Nacho, had died.
2024: Pepsi Commercial
In 2024, Bobby Flay starred in a television commercial promoting Pepsi in conjunction with grilling.
March 2025: Relationship with Brooke Williamson
As of March 2025, Bobby Flay is in a relationship with fellow chef Brooke Williamson.
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