History of Bobby Flay in Timeline

Bobby Flay is a prominent American celebrity chef, restaurateur, television personality, and food writer. He owns and operates several successful restaurant chains, including Bobby's Burger Palace and Amalfi. He has been a staple on the Food Network since 1995, earning him four Daytime Emmy Awards and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Flay is known for his expertise in Southwestern cuisine and his competitive spirit in cooking competitions.

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Full Timeline

December 10, 1964: Bobby Flay's Birth

On December 10, 1964, Robert William Flay was born. He would later become a celebrity chef, food writer, restaurateur, and television personality.

1984: Graduation from French Culinary Institute

In 1984, Bobby Flay received a degree in culinary arts and was a member of the first graduating class of the French Culinary Institute.

1988: Executive Chef of Miracle Grill

In 1988, Bobby Flay became the executive chef of Miracle Grill in the East Village, where he worked until 1990.

1990: End of Tenure at Miracle Grill

In 1990, Bobby Flay concluded his tenure as the executive chef at Miracle Grill in the East Village, a position he had held since 1988.

January 15, 1991: Executive Chef at Mesa Grill

On January 15, 1991, Bobby Flay became the executive chef of Mesa Grill.

May 11, 1991: Marriage to Debra Ponzek

On May 11, 1991, Bobby Flay married Debra Ponzek.

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.

1993: Divorce from Debra Ponzek

In 1993, Bobby Flay divorced Debra Ponzek.

1995: Marriage to Kate Connelly

In 1995, Bobby Flay married his second wife, Kate Connelly.

1996: Hosting The Main Ingredient

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

In 2000, Bobby Flay battled Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto on Iron Chef in New York. Flay lost the battle and was criticized by Morimoto 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.

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: Judging Wickedly Perfect

During the 2004–05 season, Bobby Flay appeared as a judge on the CBS television show "Wickedly Perfect".

2004: Opening of Mesa Grill in Las Vegas

In 2004, Bobby Flay opened a second Mesa Grill 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: Opening of Bar Americain

In 2005, Bobby Flay opened Bar Americain, an American Brasserie, in Midtown Manhattan.

November 12, 2006: Iron Chef America Defeat

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, which became the highest rated show ever broadcast on Food Network.

2006: Appearance in East Broadway

In 2006, Bobby Flay had a small role as himself in the film East Broadway.

March 28, 2007: Opening of Mesa Grill in the Bahamas

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: 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! Category

On March 12, 2008, Jeopardy! featured a special "Throwdown with Bobby Flay" category.

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 Victory

On November 16, 2008, Bobby Flay and Michael Symon defeated Cat Cora and Masaharu Morimoto on a special episode of Iron Chef America titled "Thanksgiving Showdown".

2008: Michelin Star Earned

In 2008, the Las Vegas Mesa Grill earned Bobby Flay his only Michelin Star.

2009: Sirius XM Radio Show

In 2009, Bobby Flay hosted a weekly call-in show on Sirius XM Satellite Radio.

2009: Michelin Star Removed

In 2009, the Michelin Star earned by Mesa Grill in Las Vegas was taken away.

July 2010: Iron Chef America Loss

In July 2010, Bobby Flay was defeated by Chuck Hughes on Iron Chef America.

2010: South Park Impersonation

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, preventing the Mesa Grill from re-earning its star.

March 2011: Broadcast of Iron Chef America Loss

In March 2011, an episode of Iron Chef America recorded in July 2010 was broadcast, showing Chuck Hughes beating Bobby Flay.

May 2011: America's Next Great Restaurant Finale

In May 2011, Bobby Flay picked a restaurant team to open a restaurant on America's Next Great Restaurant. The show was subsequently cancelled.

2011: Entourage Appearance

In 2011, Bobby Flay had recurring appearances in the final season of Entourage.

2011: Michelin Guide Not Published

In 2011, Michelin did not publish a Las Vegas edition, preventing the Mesa Grill from re-earning its star.

2012: Portlandia Appearance

In 2012, Bobby Flay appeared on Portlandia in a director's cut of the episode Brunch Village.

September 2013: Closure of Original Mesa Grill

In September 2013, the original Mesa Grill in New York closed due to a proposed rent increase.

2014: Appointment to Breeders' Cup Board

In 2014, Bobby Flay served on the Breeders' Cup board of directors.

March 2015: Separation from Stephanie March

In March 2015, media reports indicated that Bobby Flay and Stephanie March separated.

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

In February 2016, Bobby Flay began dating Heléne Yorke.

2016: Younger Appearance

In 2016, Bobby Flay guest starred as himself on season two of the TV series Younger.

2018: 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: End of Term on Breeders' Cup Board

In 2018, Bobby Flay's term on the Breeders' Cup board of directors concluded.

September 2019: Estimated Net Worth

As of September 2019, Bobby Flay has an estimated net worth of $30 million.

2019: End of Relationship with Heléne Yorke

In early 2019, Bobby Flay's relationship with Heléne Yorke ended.

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 Bobby's Burgers

In May 2021, Bobby Flay converted Mesa Grill in Caesars Palace to an Italian restaurant called Amalfi and updated his Las Vegas Bobby's Burger Palace to Bobby's Burgers.