New York Times best-selling cookbook author and successful restaurateur Guy Fieri hosts Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, Guy’s Big Bite and Tailgate Warriors and guest judges on Food Network Star, the hit reality show that he won in 2006.
Guy Fieri ("Fee-eddy") premiered his first show, Guy's Big Bite, on Food Network. Today this "Culinary Rock Star" also hosts the top-rated show Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, as well as the special series Tailgate Warriors and guest judges on The Next Food Network Star.
This likable, laid-back California "guy," with his trademark bleached-blond spiky hair, began his love affair with food at the age of 10, selling soft pretzels from a three-wheeled bicycle cart, named "The Awesome Pretzel," that he built with his father. By selling pretzels and washing dishes, Guy earned enough money in six years to study abroad as an exchange student in Chantilly, France. There he gained a profound appreciation for international cuisine and the lifestyle associated with it.
Guy attended the University of Nevada Las Vegas, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management.
In 1996 Guy and his business partner, Steve Gruber, launched their Sonoma County, Calif.-based Italian restaurant, Johnny Garlic's (www.johnnygarlics.com). Their first location opened in Santa Rosa, Calif., in the fall of 1996, a second outpost in Windsor, Calif., in 1999 and their third location in Roseville, Calif., in 2008. With the success of their first restaurant concept, in 2003 they developed Tex Wasabi's (www.texwasabis.com), a Southern BBQ and California Sushi restaurant in Santa Rosa, Calif. Their second location opened in Sacramento in 2007. Always looking to improve upon the restaurant industry, Guy was a three-term president of the Restaurant Association of the Redwood Empire and serves on the board of directors for the Educational Foundation of the California Restaurant Association.
In October 2008 Guy released his first book based on his widely popular show. Diners, Drive-ins and Dives: An All-American Road Trip ... with Recipes! (William Morrow) offers recipes and memorable stories from establishments Guy has visited around the country. A follow-up book, More Diners, Drive-ins and Dives: Another Drop-Top Culinary Cruise Through America's Finest and Funkiest (William Morrow), hit stores in November 2009. Both editions landed in the #1 spot on The New York Times best-seller list for more than 12 weeks. In May 2011 Guy will release his first cookbook, Guy Fieri Food (William Morrow), which will include more than 125 original recipes, full-color photos and cooking tips. That same month he will combine the worlds of food and rock 'n' roll and embark on his second-ever cross-country tour. Guy's first tour, "The Guy Fieri Road Show," took place in November 2009 and toured 21 cities in 30 days at venues that seated 2,000-5,000 fans.
Passionate about empowering today's parents to include their children in the kitchen and educate them about eating healthy, Guy helped draft California state legislation proclaiming the second Saturday in May "Cook With Your Kids Day." It was passed unanimously by the California State Legislature in 2009. Invited by the U.S. Navy Team to cook at the White House in March 2010, Guy spoke to politicians about making this a nationally recognized annual holiday. In 2011 he officially launched CWK (Cooking With Kids), a program that encourages developing healthy eating habits to address the childhood obesity crisis, strengthens the family unit by sharing quality time in the kitchen and, as a result, increases our children's self-esteem in a fun and positive way.
A longtime supporter of law enforcement and the military men and women serving our country, Guy has an ongoing Armed Forces Entertainment commitment and has visited bases in the Persian Gulf, Guantanamo Bay and Hawaii as a guest of the U.S. Navy. He entertains the troops and inspires the military culinary specialists with instruction and inspiration.
Guy lives in Northern California with his wife, Lori, and their two sons, Hunter and Ryder.
