History of Bobby Flay in Timeline

Bobby Flay is a prominent American celebrity chef, restaurateur, and television personality. He owns and operates several successful restaurants and franchises, such as Bobby's Burger Palace and Amalfi. He gained widespread recognition through his appearances on the Food Network since 1995, earning him four Daytime Emmy Awards. His contributions to the culinary world and television have solidified his status as a celebrated figure, culminating in a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

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Full Timeline

December 10, 1964: Robert William Flay's Birth

On December 10, 1964, Robert William Flay, later known as 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, where he worked until 1990.

1990: Departure from Miracle Grill

In 1990, Bobby Flay ended his tenure as the executive chef at Miracle Grill in the East Village.

January 15, 1991: Executive Chef at Mesa Grill

On January 15, 1991, Bobby Flay became the executive chef of Mesa Grill, marking a significant step in his culinary career.

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.

1993: Divorce from Debra Ponzek

In 1993, Bobby Flay and Debra Ponzek divorced.

1995: Flay Joins Food Network

In 1995, Bobby Flay began his appearances on the Food Network, marking the start of his prominent television career.

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 and later divorced.

2000: Iron Chef Battle and Controversy

In 2000, Bobby Flay battled Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto on Iron Chef, resulting in controversy over Flay's behavior and a subsequent rematch.

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 the Bobby Flay Scholarship

In 2003, Bobby Flay established the Bobby Flay Scholarship at the French Culinary Institute, awarded annually to a student in the Long Island City Culinary Arts Program.

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: Opening of Mesa Grill in Las Vegas

In 2004, Bobby Flay opened a second Mesa Grill location at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, expanding his restaurant ventures.

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: Small Role 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 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: "Throwdown with Bobby Flay" Category on Jeopardy!

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

July 15, 2008: Opening of First Bobby's Burger Palace

On July 15, 2008, Bobby Flay opened the first Bobby's Burger Palace (BBP) in Lake Grove, Long Island, located at the Smith Haven Mall.

November 16, 2008: Iron Chef America Thanksgiving Showdown Win

On November 16, 2008, Bobby Flay and Michael Symon defeated Cat Cora and Masaharu Morimoto on Iron Chef America in a Thanksgiving Showdown.

December 5, 2008: Opening of Second Bobby's Burger Palace

On December 5, 2008, Bobby Flay opened the second location of Bobby's Burger Palace at the Monmouth Mall in Eatontown, New Jersey.

2008: Michelin Star for Las Vegas Mesa Grill

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

March 31, 2009: Opening of Third Bobby's Burger Palace

On March 31, 2009, Bobby Flay opened the third Bobby's Burger Palace location in The Outlets at Bergen Town Center in Paramus, New Jersey.

July 1, 2009: Opening of Fourth Bobby's Burger Palace

On July 1, 2009, Bobby Flay opened the fourth Bobby's Burger Palace at the Mohegan Sun Casino in southeast Connecticut.

November 18, 2009: Opening of Second Bar Americain in Connecticut

On November 18, 2009, Bobby Flay opened his second Bar Americain location at the Mohegan Sun Casino in southeast Connecticut.

2009: 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 with a focus on food.

2009: Loss of Michelin Star

In 2009, the Las Vegas Mesa Grill lost the Michelin Star it had earned the previous year.

April 6, 2010: Opening of Fifth Bobby's Burger Palace

On April 6, 2010, Bobby Flay opened the fifth Bobby's Burger Palace location in Philadelphia's University City.

July 2010: Iron Chef America Recording

In July 2010, an episode of Iron Chef America was recorded in which Chuck Hughes beat Bobby Flay.

2010: Impersonation in South Park

In 2010, Bobby Flay was impersonated in the South Park cartoon episode "Crème Fraiche".

2010: No Michelin Guide Published

In 2010, Michelin did not publish a Las Vegas edition, preventing the Mesa Grill from potentially regaining its star.

March 2011: Iron Chef America Broadcast

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

May 2011: Cancellation of "America's Next Great Restaurant"

In May 2011, Bobby Flay's reality television show "America's Next Great Restaurant" on NBC was canceled after its first season due to low ratings.

August 16, 2011: Opening of Sixth Bobby's Burger Palace

On August 16, 2011, Bobby Flay opened the sixth Bobby's Burger Palace location in Washington, D.C., at 2121 K Street in Northwest.

December 5, 2011: Opening of Ninth Bobby's Burger Palace

On December 5, 2011, Bobby Flay opened the ninth Bobby's Burger Palace location in Roosevelt Field Mall in Garden City, New York.

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: No Michelin Guide Published

In 2011, Michelin did not publish a Las Vegas edition, so Mesa Grill could not attempt to re-earn its Michelin star.

June 7, 2012: Opening of Tenth Bobby's Burger Palace

On June 7, 2012, Bobby Flay opened the tenth and largest Bobby's Burger Palace site at Maryland Live! Casino in Hanover, Maryland.

2012: Appearance on Portlandia

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 New York

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 of Directors

In 2014, Bobby Flay was appointed to serve on the Breeders' Cup board of directors.

March 2015: Separation from Stephanie March

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

July 17, 2015: Divorce from Stephanie March Finalized

On July 17, 2015, the divorce between Bobby Flay and Stephanie March was finalized.

February 2016: Relationship with Heléne Yorke

In February 2016, Bobby Flay began dating Heléne Yorke.

2016: Guest Star on Younger

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

2018: Appearance 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: End of Term on Breeders' Cup Board of Directors

In 2018, Bobby Flay's term on the Breeders' Cup board of directors came to an end.

September 2019: Estimated Net Worth

As of September 2019, Bobby Flay had 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 after his Maine Coon, Nacho Flay.

May 2021: Conversion of Mesa Grill to Amalfi

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