History of Bobby Flay in Timeline
Bobby Flay is a renowned American celebrity chef, restaurateur, television personality, and food writer. He owns several successful restaurant franchises, including Bobby's Burger Palace and Amalfi. A prominent figure on the Food Network since 1995, Flay has earned four Daytime Emmy Awards and recognition with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, solidifying his impact on the culinary and entertainment industries.
1984: Graduated from French Culinary Institute
In 1984, Bobby Flay graduated from the French Culinary Institute, marking the completion of his formal culinary education.
1988: Executive Chef of Miracle Grill
In 1988, Bobby Flay became the executive chef of Miracle Grill in the East Village. He worked there until 1990.
1990: Left Miracle Grill
In 1990, Bobby Flay left his position as the executive chef at Miracle Grill in the East Village.
January 15, 1991: Became Executive Chef of Mesa Grill
On January 15, 1991, Bobby Flay became the executive chef of Mesa Grill after being offered the position by Jerome Kretchmer, who was impressed by Flay's southwestern-style food. Shortly after, he became a partner.
May 11, 1991: Married Debra Ponzek
On May 11, 1991, Bobby Flay married Debra Ponzek, who is also a chef.
November 1993: Opened Bolo Bar & Restaurant
In November 1993, Bobby Flay partnered with Laurence Kretchmer to open Bolo Bar & Restaurant in the Flatiron District, located near Mesa Grill.
1995: Appeared on Food Network
In 1995, Bobby Flay began appearing on Food Network, marking the start of his career as a television personality.
1995: Married Kate Connelly
In 1995, Bobby Flay married his second wife, Kate Connelly.
1996: Hosted The Main Ingredient with Bobby Flay
In 1996, Bobby Flay hosted The Main Ingredient with Bobby Flay on Lifetime Television.
1998: Separated from Kate Connelly
In 1998, Bobby Flay and Kate Connelly separated.
2000: Iron Chef Battle vs. Masaharu Morimoto
In 2000, Bobby Flay battled Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto on Iron Chef in New York, using rock crab. Flay lost the battle and was criticized by Morimoto for standing on his cutting board.
November 18, 2003: Appeared on Pyramid
On November 18, 2003, Bobby Flay appeared on the television game show Pyramid with Mario Batali as a guest celebrity.
2003: Established Bobby Flay Scholarship
In 2003, Bobby Flay established the Bobby Flay Scholarship, a full scholarship to the French Culinary Institute awarded annually to a student in the Long Island City Culinary Arts Program. Flay personally helps select the awardee each year.
2004: Judge on Wickedly Perfect
In 2004, Bobby Flay appeared as a judge on the CBS television show "Wickedly Perfect" during the 2004–05 season.
2004: Opened Second Mesa Grill
In 2004, Bobby Flay opened a second Mesa Grill location at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.
February 20, 2005: Married Stephanie March
On February 20, 2005, Bobby Flay married actress Stephanie March.
September 22, 2005: Appeared in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
On September 22, 2005, Bobby Flay appeared in the Law & Order: Special Victims Unit episode "Design".
2005: Opened Bar Americain
In 2005, Bobby Flay opened Bar Americain, an American Brasserie, in Midtown Manhattan.
November 12, 2006: Lost Iron Chef America Battle
On November 12, 2006, in a special episode of Iron Chef America, Bobby Flay and Giada De Laurentiis were defeated by Mario Batali and Rachael Ray.
2006: Appeared in East Broadway
In 2006, Bobby Flay had a small role as himself in the film East Broadway.
March 28, 2007: Opened Third 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: Bolo Bar & Restaurant Closed
On December 31, 2007, Bolo Bar & Restaurant closed its doors to make way for a condominium.
March 12, 2008: Jeopardy! Category Featured Throwdown with Bobby Flay
During the March 12, 2008, episode, Jeopardy! featured a special "Throwdown with Bobby Flay" category.
July 15, 2008: Opened 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: Won Iron Chef America Thanksgiving Showdown
On November 16, 2008, Bobby Flay and Michael Symon defeated Cat Cora and Masaharu Morimoto in a special Iron Chef America episode titled "Thanksgiving Showdown".
2009: Hosted Sirius XM Radio Show
In 2009, Bobby Flay hosted a weekly call-in show on Sirius XM Satellite Radio, offering advice to men on various topics.
July 2010: Iron Chef America taping vs. Chuck Hughes
In July 2010, Bobby Flay taped an episode of Iron Chef America. The episode aired in March 2011.
2010: Impersonated in South Park
In 2010, Bobby Flay was impersonated in the South Park cartoon episode "Crème Fraiche".
March 2011: Lost Iron Chef America Battle to Chuck Hughes
In March 2011, an episode of Iron Chef America taped in July 2010 aired, in which Chuck Hughes beat Bobby Flay to become the youngest Canadian champ.
May 2011: America's Next Great Restaurant Canceled
In May 2011, America's Next Great Restaurant, hosted by Bobby Flay 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.
2012: Appeared on Portlandia
In 2012, Bobby Flay appeared on Portlandia in a director's cut of the episode Brunch Village, in which he showed director Jonathan Krisel how to make marionberry pancakes.
September 2013: Original Mesa Grill Closed
In September 2013, the original Mesa Grill in New York closed due to a proposed rent increase by the landlord.
2014: Served on Breeders' Cup Board of Directors
In 2014, Bobby Flay began serving on the Breeders' Cup board of directors.
March 2015: Separated from Stephanie March
In March 2015, media reported that Stephanie March and Bobby Flay separated.
July 17, 2015: Divorced Stephanie March
On July 17, 2015, Bobby Flay's divorce from Stephanie March was finalized.
February 2016: Started Dating Heléne Yorke
In February 2016, Bobby Flay began dating Heléne Yorke.
2016: Guest Starred on Younger
In 2016, Bobby Flay guest starred as himself on season two of the TV series Younger.
2018: Left Breeders' Cup Board of Directors
In 2018, Bobby Flay concluded his service on the Breeders' Cup board of directors.
2018: Voiced Character in Scooby-Doo! and the Gourmet Ghost
In 2018, Bobby Flay voiced Fred Jones' uncle in the animated film Scooby-Doo! and the Gourmet Ghost.
September 2019: Estimated Net Worth
As of September 2019, Bobby Flay has an estimated net worth of $30 million.
2019: Ended Relationship with Heléne Yorke
In early 2019, Bobby Flay ended his relationship with Heléne Yorke.
April 2021: Launched Made by Nacho Cat Food Company
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: Mesa Grill Converted to Amalfi and Bobby's Burger Palace Updated
In May 2021, Bobby Flay converted 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 Departure from Food Network
In October 2021, it was reported that Bobby Flay would leave Food Network after 27 years due to failure to reach an agreement on a new contract.
November 2021: Signed 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: Acted in One Delicious Christmas
In 2022, Bobby Flay played a food and restaurant critic in the made-for-TV movie One Delicious Christmas.
October 2023: Death of Nacho
In October 2023, Bobby Flay announced that his cat Nacho had died.
2024: Starred in Pepsi Commercial
In 2024, Bobby Flay starred in a television commercial in which he dances while promoting Pepsi in conjunction with grilling.
March 2025: In Relationship with Brooke Williamson
As of March 2025, Bobby Flay is in a relationship with fellow chef Brooke Williamson.
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