Meet Bob Blumer

Culinary adventurer Bob Blumer is the host and co-creator of the new Food Network television series Glutton for Punishment. An instantly recognizable television personality, Bob is perhaps best known as the creator and host of the Food Network series Surreal Gourmet. A two-time winner of the Gemini Award for Best Information Program, Surreal Gourmet enjoyed a five-season run and is still seen in over 30 countries.

As the host of Glutton for Punishment, Bob channels his love of food and his natural competitiveness into a series of culinary adventures that are inspiring, entertaining and often amusing. One week he might be found in Urbanna, Va., competing against champion oyster shuckers, and the next he’ll be hustling to the finish line in New York City’s famous Waiter’s Race. He even pours, tosses, flips and juggles cocktails at the International Flair Bartending Competition in Las Vegas. In each episode he has only five days to learn the art and intricacies of each challenge before testing his mettle against the best in the business.

Bob’s epicurean exploits include authoring four acclaimed cookbooks including: The Surreal Gourmet: Real Food for Pretend Chefs (Chronicle Books, 1992), The Surreal Gourmet Entertains: High-Fun, Low-Stress Dinner Parties for 6 to 12 People (Chronicle Books, 1995), Off The Eaten Path: Inspired Recipes for Adventurous Cooks (Ballantine Books, May 2000) and Surreal Gourmet Bites: Showstoppers and Conversation Starters (Chronicle Books, 2004).

A born explorer, Bob has journeyed across the globe from his native Canada throughout Europe and Asia in search of the perfect wine pairings for his unique dishes. Bob currently resides in the Hollywood Hills in the shadows of the Hollywood sign. When he is not traveling for work or pleasure (which is most of the time) he cycles daily in the canyons near his home—doing his best to stay in shape for his next big adventure.