Bobby Flay
By Natalie M.J. and Caitlin L.
Who is Bobby Flay?
Born December 10, 1964 in New York City, raised in the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Dropped out of high school 17 to work at a pizza parlor and Baskin-Robbins because of the higher interest that he had in the culinary arts. He then took a position making salads at Joe Allen Restaurant in Manhattan's Theater District, where his father was a partner. The owner being impressed by Flay's natural ability, he agreed to pay for his full tuition at the French Culinary Institute. Flay married Debra Ponzek, also a chef, on May 11, 1991. Flay and Ponzek divorced in 1993, and Flay married his second wife, Kate Connelly, in 1995. They have a daughter named Sophie. Flay and Connelly separated in 1998, and later divorced. Flay married actress Stephanie March, on February 20, 2005. According to media reports, March and Flay separated in March 2015 and their divorce was finalized on July 17, 2015.
FACS Career
Bobby Flay opened his first restaurant, Mesa Grill, in 1991, which was later awarded the coveted title of Best Restaurant 1992 by New York Magazine's revered food critic, Gael Greene. That same year, he opened Bolo Bar and Restaurant in New York City's Flatiron district, Flay followed that success with a second Mesa Grill in Las Vegas's Caesar's Palace in 2004; the bistro Bar Americain in 2005; Bobby Flay Steak in Atlantic City in 2006; Mesa Grill Bahamas in 2007; and a second Bar Americain at Connecticut's Mohegan Sun casino in 2009. Flay later opened a chain of casual burger joints, Bobby's Burger Palace, in 2008 which has spread across the East Coast. He also has many shows currently airing.
Beat Bobby Flay
Bobby Flay's Barbecue Addiction
The Next Food Network Star
Training Towards His Career
Flay first fell into cooking at the age of 17 when he took a job at Joe Allen's restaurant where his father was a partner. Mr. Allen being impressed with Flay's natural ability, paid his tuition to The French Culinary Institute. Flay later received the first "Outstanding Graduate Award" in 1993, and now acts as a spokesperson and Master Chef for the school. Upon graduating in 1984, restaurant owner Jonathan Waxman introduced Flay to the Southwestern ingredients which greatly influenced his culinary style. His first job was as an executive chef at the East Village's Miracle Grill which caught the attention of restaurateur Jerome Kretchmer who offered Flay the opportunity to open the critically-lauded Mesa Grill in 1991. Mesa Grill later earned unprecedented acclaim and the young chef was made a partner.
Traits That Led Him To This Career
Citations
"Bobby Flay Bio : Food Network". Foodnetwork.com. N.p., 2016. Web. 2 May 2016.
"Bobby Flay's Biography." Bobby Flay's Biography. Web. 02 May 2016.
Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 18 Mar. 2016. Web. 02 May 2016.