History of Guy Fieri in Timeline
Guy Fieri is a renowned American restaurateur, TV personality, and author celebrated for his contributions to the culinary world. He gained fame hosting popular Food Network shows, becoming the channel's face by 2010 and attracting a large male audience. While he previously co-owned restaurants in California, he now licenses his name to establishments globally. Fieri is recognized for his boisterous personality and making gourmet food accessible to the masses.
1967: Chevrolet C10 Pickup Release
The Chevrolet C10 pickup truck, a vehicle that would later be a part of Guy Fieri's collection, was released in 1967.
January 22, 1968: Birth of Guy Fieri
On January 22, 1968, Guy Ramsay Fieri was born. He would later become a renowned restaurateur, author, and Emmy Award-winning television personality.
1968: Pontiac Firebird Release
The Pontiac Firebird, a car that Guy Fieri would later add to his collection, was released in 1968.
1969: Chevrolet Impala SS Release
Chevrolet released the Impala SS in 1969, a car that would eventually become a part of Guy Fieri's collection of classic American automobiles.
1971: Chevrolet Chevelle Release
In 1971, Chevrolet released the Chevelle, which would later become a prized possession in Guy Fieri's collection of classic American cars.
1976: Jeep CJ-5 Release
1976 marked the year that Jeep released the CJ-5 model, a vehicle that Guy Fieri would later cherish as part of his classic car collection.
1995: Fieri Marries Lori
Guy Fieri's personal life intertwined with his professional life when he met his future wife, Lori, at a restaurant he managed in Long Beach, California. The couple married in 1995.
1996: Fieri Opens Johnny Garlic's
In late 1996, Guy Fieri, in partnership with Steve Gruber, launched his first restaurant venture, "Johnny Garlic's," a "California Pasta Grill" in Santa Rosa, California.
1999: Johnny Garlic's Expands to Windsor
Guy Fieri and Steve Gruber opened a second branch of their successful "California Pasta Grill," Johnny Garlic's, in Windsor, California, in 1999.
2000: Possible Third Johnny Garlic's Location Opens
A third location of Johnny Garlic's, the "California Pasta Grill," may have been established in Petaluma, California, in 2000. However, this location eventually closed.
2001: Possible Third Johnny Garlic's Location Opens
A third location of Johnny Garlic's, the "California Pasta Grill," may have been established in Petaluma, California, in 2001. However, this location eventually closed.
2003: Fieri and Gruber Launch Tex Wasabi's
In 2003, Guy Fieri and his business partner, Steve Gruber, diversified their restaurant portfolio by opening "Tex Wasabi's" in Santa Rosa, California, a unique dining concept that fused barbecue and sushi.
April 23, 2006: Fieri Wins "The Next Food Network Star"
Guy Fieri's career trajectory took a significant turn on April 23, 2006, when he emerged as the winner of the second season of the Food Network's competition show, "The Next Food Network Star."
June 25, 2006: "Guy's Big Bite" Premieres
Capitalizing on his "The Next Food Network Star" victory, Guy Fieri's first cooking show, "Guy's Big Bite," premiered on June 25, 2006, marking the beginning of his successful television career.
November 2006: One-Hour Special of "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" Airs
In November 2006, a one-hour special of what would become one of Fieri's most iconic shows, "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives," aired, giving viewers a taste of his unique blend of food and travel.
April 2007: "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" Premieres
Building on the success of the one-hour special, "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives," a show that would solidify Guy Fieri's status as a culinary adventurer, premiered in April 2007.
2007: Tex Wasabi's Expands to Sacramento, Later Rebranded
A second Tex Wasabi's location was launched in Sacramento's Arden-Arcade area in 2007. However, this restaurant was later rebranded as Johnny Garlic's and subsequently closed.
February 17, 2008: "Ultimate Recipe Showdown" Debuts
Expanding his television presence, Guy Fieri began co-hosting "Ultimate Recipe Showdown" with Marc Summers on February 17, 2008. The show ran for three seasons.
September 14, 2008: "Guy Off the Hook" Premieres
"Guy Off the Hook," a studio audience show hosted by Guy Fieri, made its debut on Food Network on September 14, 2008. Despite its initial run, the format was discontinued due to high production costs.
November 28, 2008: Fieri Hosts "Guy's Family Feast" Thanksgiving Special
For Thanksgiving 2008, Guy Fieri hosted a live one-hour special titled "Guy's Family Feast," utilizing the set of "Guy Off the Hook" for the broadcast.
2008: Fourth Johnny Garlic's Location Opens in Roseville
In late 2008, Fieri and Gruber expanded the reach of their popular Johnny Garlic's brand by inaugurating a fourth restaurant in Roseville, California.
2008: Fieri Becomes Spokesperson for T.G.I. Friday's
Leveraging his growing fame, Guy Fieri took on the role of spokesperson for T.G.I. Friday's in 2008, lending his recognizable persona to the restaurant chain's advertising campaigns.
December 2009: Fieri Named Host of "Minute to Win It"
Expanding beyond the Food Network, Guy Fieri was named as the host of NBC's game show "Minute to Win It" in December 2009, demonstrating his versatility as a television personality.
2009: Fieri Launches Guy Fieri Roadshow
Expanding his reach beyond television screens, Guy Fieri launched the "Guy Fieri Roadshow" in 2009, a multi-state food tour that brought together fellow Food Network personalities and culinary experiences to fans across the country.
2009: Fieri Continues as T.G.I. Friday's Spokesperson
Guy Fieri continued his partnership with T.G.I. Friday's in 2009, remaining the face of their brand for a second year.
2009: Fieri Appears on Various Food Network Programs
Throughout 2009, Guy Fieri made appearances on a variety of Food Network programs, including "Dinner: Impossible," "Paula's Party," "Ace of Cakes," and "The Best Thing I Ever Ate," further solidifying his presence on the network.
March 2010: "Minute to Win It" Premieres
Guy Fieri's stint as host of the game show "Minute to Win It" commenced in March 2010, marking a departure from his usual culinary-focused shows.
2010: The New York Times Recognizes Fieri as the "Face of the Network"
By 2010, The New York Times acknowledged Guy Fieri as the "face of the network" for Food Network. He was recognized for bringing a "rowdy, mass-market culture to American food television." His shows were also noted for attracting a large male audience.
2010: Fieri Stars in Aflac Commercial
In 2010, Guy Fieri's widespread appeal led him to star in a commercial for Aflac, the insurance company, titled "Spicy." This appearance showcased his ability to transcend culinary-focused endeavors and connect with audiences through mainstream advertising.
2011: Johnny Garlic's Opens in Dublin, California
Expanding their California presence, Fieri and Gruber opened a new Johnny Garlic's restaurant in Dublin, California, in 2011.
2011: Fieri Partners with Carnival Cruise Lines
In 2011, Guy Fieri embarked on a partnership with Carnival Cruise lines, creating "Guy's Burger Joint" to offer his signature burger creations across their fleet.
2011: Fieri's Sister Passes Away, He Becomes Guardian of Nephew
Tragedy struck Guy Fieri's family in 2011 when his sister passed away from metastatic melanoma. In the wake of this loss, he took on the responsibility of caring for his 11-year-old nephew, Jules.
January 2012: Fieri Co-Captains "Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off"
In January 2012, Guy Fieri joined forces with fellow Food Network star Rachael Ray as a team captain for the reality series "Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off."
May 13, 2012: NBC Cancels "Minute to Win It"
Despite Fieri's involvement, NBC made the decision to cancel "Minute to Win It" on May 13, 2012, after two seasons due to high production costs and disappointing ratings.
2012: Fieri Opens Guy's American Kitchen and Bar in New York City
Guy Fieri's venture into the New York City restaurant scene in 2012 with "Guy's American Kitchen and Bar" was met with a highly critical review by Pete Wells of The New York Times, which gained significant attention and sparked debate.
2012: Fieri Officiates Mass Wedding at South Beach Food and Wine Festival
In a demonstration of his support for marriage equality, Guy Fieri officiated a mass wedding ceremony for 101 gay couples at the 2012 South Beach Food and Wine Festival, using his platform to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.
January 6, 2013: Second Season of "Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off" Premieres
The popularity of "Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off" led to a second season, which premiered on Food Network on January 6, 2013, with Fieri and Ray resuming their roles as team captains.
October 27, 2013: "Guy's Grocery Games" Premieres
Adding another show to his repertoire, Guy Fieri launched the chef challenge series "Guy's Grocery Games" on October 27, 2013, on Food Network. The show tested the culinary skills of four cooks in a grocery store setting.
2013: Fieri Wins Daytime Emmy Award
Guy Fieri received a Daytime Emmy Award in 2013 for Outstanding Special Class Special. The award recognized his work on the Food Network special "Guy Fieri's Family Reunion."
April 2014: Guy Fieri's Vegas Kitchen and Bar Opens
In April 2014, Guy Fieri expanded his restaurant empire to Las Vegas with the launch of "Guy Fieri's Vegas Kitchen and Bar."
2015: Guy Fieri's Baltimore Kitchen & Bar Opens
In 2015, Guy Fieri expanded his culinary reach to Baltimore with the opening of "Guy Fieri's Baltimore Kitchen & Bar" at the city's Horseshoe Casino.
2015: Fieri Officiates Art Smith's Wedding, Celebrates Marriage Equality
In 2015, Guy Fieri officiated the wedding of celebrity chef Art Smith in Miami Beach. The event, which celebrated Florida's legalization of same-sex marriage, included a mass wedding ceremony for 101 same-sex couples. Fieri's participation was particularly meaningful as it honored his late sister, who was a lesbian.
November 16, 2016: Last Episode of "Guy's Big Bite" Airs
On November 16, 2016, the final episode of "Guy's Big Bite" aired, concluding a successful run for Fieri's inaugural foray into television.
October 2017: Guy's Burger Joint Expands Across Carnival's Fleet
By October 2017, Guy Fieri's partnership with Carnival had led to the establishment of 19 "Guy's Burger Joint" restaurants on their cruise ships, including some featuring his "Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse Brewhouse" concept, offering beer and barbecue.
2017: "Guy's Family Road Trip" Premieres
Further showcasing his family-oriented side, Guy Fieri's series "Guy's Family Road Trip" premiered in 2017, following the season 13 finale of "Food Network Star."
2017: Guy's American Kitchen and Bar Closes
Guy Fieri's "Guy's American Kitchen and Bar" in New York City, despite its prominent location and initial buzz, closed its doors in 2017.
2018: Fieri Collaborates with Planet Hollywood to Open Chicken Guy!
In 2018, Guy Fieri partnered with Planet Hollywood founder Robert Earl to establish "Chicken Guy!," a fast-food chicken sandwich shop, at Disney Springs in Walt Disney World.
2020: Fieri Raises Money for Restaurant Workers During COVID-19 Pandemic
In 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic devastated the restaurant industry, Guy Fieri stepped up to help those affected. He partnered with the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation to establish the Restaurant Employee Relief Fund, raising over US$20 million in just two months to support unemployed restaurant workers.
May 2021: Fieri Signs $80 Million Contract with Food Network
In a testament to his enduring popularity and influence, Guy Fieri inked a lucrative three-year contract with Food Network in May 2021, estimated to be worth $80 million. This deal solidified his position as one of the network's most valuable personalities.
2021: Fieri Launches Flavortown Kitchen
Adapting to evolving dining trends, Guy Fieri launched "Guy Fieri's Flavortown Kitchen" in 2021, a delivery-only restaurant concept that brought his signature flavors directly to customers' homes.
2021: The Fieris Purchase a Home in West Palm Beach, Florida
In 2021, Guy Fieri and his family expanded their real estate holdings by purchasing a home in West Palm Beach, Florida, adding a new location to their residences.
