History of Bobby Flay in Timeline
Bobby Flay is a renowned American celebrity chef, restaurateur, television personality, and author. He owns and operates multiple successful restaurants, including Bobby's Burger Palace and Amalfi. He is a prominent figure on the Food Network since 1995, earning him several Daytime Emmy Awards and recognition with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Flay is known for his expertise in Southwestern cuisine and grilling techniques, and he has significantly impacted the culinary world through his restaurants, cookbooks, and television appearances.
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: Departure from Miracle Grill
In 1990, Bobby Flay left his position as the executive chef at Miracle Grill.
January 15, 1991: Executive Chef at Mesa Grill
On January 15, 1991, Bobby Flay became the executive chef of Mesa Grill after being offered the position by Jerome Kretchmer, and soon became a partner.
May 11, 1991: Marriage to Debra Ponzek
On May 11, 1991, Bobby Flay married Debra Ponzek, who is also a chef.
November 1993: Opening of Bolo Bar & Restaurant
In November 1993, Bobby Flay partnered with Laurence Kretchmer to open Bolo Bar & Restaurant in the Flatiron District, near Mesa Grill.
1993: Divorce from Debra Ponzek
In 1993, Bobby Flay and Debra Ponzek divorced.
1995: Food Network Debut
In 1995, Bobby Flay began appearing on the Food Network, leading to four Daytime Emmy Awards and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
1995: Marriage to Kate Connelly
In 1995, Bobby Flay married his second wife, Kate Connelly.
1996: Hosting "The Main Ingredient with Bobby Flay"
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 vs. Morimoto
In 2000, Bobby Flay challenged Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto to battle rock crab in New York for a special Iron Chef show. He lost the battle and was criticized for standing on his cutting board.
November 18, 2003: Appearance on Pyramid
On November 18, 2003, Bobby Flay appeared on the television game show Pyramid with Mario Batali as a guest celebrity.
2003: Establishment of Bobby Flay Scholarship
In 2003, Bobby Flay established the Bobby Flay Scholarship at the French Culinary Institute, awarding it annually to a student in the Long Island City Culinary Arts Program.
2004: Appearance on Wickedly Perfect
During the 2004–05 season, Bobby Flay appeared as a judge on the CBS television show "Wickedly Perfect".
2004: Opening of Second Mesa Grill
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: Appearance on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
On September 22, 2005, Bobby Flay appeared in the Law & Order: Special Victims Unit episode "Design".
2005: Opening of Bar Americain
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: Role in East Broadway
In 2006, Bobby Flay had a small role as himself in the film East Broadway, in which his then-wife, Stephanie March, had a larger role.
March 28, 2007: Opening of Mesa Grill in the Bahamas
On March 28, 2007, Bobby Flay opened a third Mesa Grill location in The Cove at Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas.
December 31, 2007: Closure of Bolo Bar & Restaurant
On December 31, 2007, Bolo Bar & Restaurant closed its doors to make way for a condominium.
March 12, 2008: Jeopardy! "Throwdown with Bobby Flay" Category
During the March 12, 2008, episode of Jeopardy!, a special "Throwdown with Bobby Flay" category was featured, with each clue featuring Flay.
July 15, 2008: Opening of First Bobby's Burger Palace
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 Win
On November 16, 2008, Bobby Flay and Michael Symon defeated Cat Cora and Masaharu Morimoto in a special episode of Iron Chef America titled "Thanksgiving Showdown".
2009: Sirius XM Radio Show
In 2009, Bobby Flay hosted a weekly call-in show on Sirius XM Satellite Radio, offering advice to men with a focus on food.
July 2010: Iron Chef Loss to Chuck Hughes
In an episode recorded in July 2010 and broadcast in March 2011, Bobby Flay lost to Chuck Hughes on Iron Chef America.
2010: Impersonation in South Park
In 2010, Bobby Flay was impersonated in the South Park cartoon episode "Crème Fraiche".
2010: Michelin Guide Not Published
In 2010, Michelin did not publish a Las Vegas edition, so the star could not be re-earned.
March 2011: Broadcast of Iron Chef Loss to Chuck Hughes
In an episode recorded in July 2010 and broadcast in March 2011, Bobby Flay lost to Chuck Hughes on Iron Chef America.
May 2011: America's Next Great Restaurant Cancellation
In May 2011, Bobby Flay's reality television show, America's Next Great Restaurant on NBC, was canceled after the first season due to low ratings.
2011: Recurring Role in Entourage
In 2011, Bobby Flay had recurring appearances in the final season of Entourage as the boyfriend of Ari Gold's wife.
2011: Michelin Guide Not Published
In 2011, Michelin did not publish a Las Vegas edition, so the star could not be re-earned.
2012: Appearance on Portlandia
In 2012, Bobby Flay appeared on Portlandia in a director's cut of the episode Brunch Village, showing Jonathan Krisel how to make marionberry pancakes.
September 2013: Closure of Original Mesa Grill
In September 2013, the original Mesa Grill in New York closed due to a proposed rent increase by the landlord.
2014: Appointment to Breeders' Cup Board
In 2014, Bobby Flay served on the Breeders' Cup board of directors.
March 2015: Separation from Stephanie March
According to media reports, Stephanie March and Bobby Flay separated in March 2015.
July 17, 2015: Divorce from Stephanie March
On July 17, 2015, Bobby Flay's divorce from Stephanie March was finalized.
February 2016: Relationship with Heléne Yorke
Bobby Flay started dating Heléne Yorke in February 2016.
2016: Guest Star on Younger
Bobby Flay guest stars as himself on season two of the TV series Younger, which initially aired in 2016.
2018: Voice Role in Scooby-Doo! and the Gourmet Ghost
In 2018, Bobby Flay appeared as Fred Jones' uncle in the animated film Scooby-Doo! and the Gourmet Ghost.
2018: Departure from Breeders' Cup Board
In 2018, Bobby Flay finished 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
Bobby Flay's relationship with Heléne Yorke ended in early 2019.
April 2021: Launch of Made by Nacho
In April 2021, Bobby Flay, along with Elly Truesdell and Katja Lang, launched Made by Nacho, a premium cat food company named for his Maine Coon, Nacho Flay.
May 2021: Conversion to Amalfi and Update to Bobby's Burgers
In May 2021, Bobby Flay converted the Mesa Grill in Caesars Palace to an Italian restaurant called Amalfi, and updated the menu and name of his Las Vegas Bobby's Burger Palace to Bobby's Burgers.
October 2021: Reported Departure from Food Network
In October 2021, it was reported that Bobby Flay would leave Food Network after a 27-year run, following a failure to reach an agreement on a new contract.
November 2021: New Deal with Food Network
In November 2021, it was reported that Bobby Flay had signed a new three-year deal with Food Network.
2022: Role in One Delicious Christmas
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 while dancing 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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