Giorgio Giove is "The Pizza King," and he's got medals from the World's Best Tasting Pizza Competition to prove it. At Brother's Pizzeria in Staten Island, N.Y., his cream-dipped mozzarella, herbed cream cheese, zucchini and pancetta white pie left Bobby's Throwdown spinning.
"The Chili Queen" reigns supreme in Houston! Cindy Reed Wilkins' recipes are honed from a long line of "chili dynasty" competition champions. Her Cin Chili & Company's signature "silky" Texas Red Chili kept her crown intact as she and Bobby wrangled to a fair and square tie during their Throwdown.
John ''Big Daddy Pretzel'' Howe thinks he makes the best pretzels in the Philadelphia area, and he's got the awards to prove it. When Bobby challenged John to a throwdown at Pretzel Boy's in Aston, Pa., he was impressed by John’s buttery Philly-style pretzel and jalapeño cheese sauce.
The iconic Buffalo chicken wing's roots trace back to its hometown namesake, Anchor Bar in Buffalo, N.Y. What started as a kitchen experiment is now a national phenomenon and they push well over 1,000 pounds of wings out their door daily. Not even a Throwdown from Bobby could outmatch the original!
Meatball master Mike Maroni's cherished spaghetti and meatballs are an Italian neighborhood staple at Maroni Cuisine in Northport, N.Y. Not even Bobby's meatballs were "rustic and refined" enough for Throwdown against a dish that Mike serves up by the "hot pot-ful." As Mike says, "Got it. Love it."
Jeff Sommers is churning out some of the United States' most innovative frozen treats at Izzy's Ice Cream Cafe in Saint Paul, Minn., called "the Best Ice Cream Shop in America." Sweet combos like Jeff's Hot Brown Sugar with Pecans have won him awards, magazine features and even a Throwdown victory.
Ted Allen indulges his sweet tooth with Southern Red Velvet Cake from Cake Man Raven in Brooklyn, NY, on Food Network's The Best Thing I Ever Ate.
On Throwdown With Bobby Flay, mother-son duo Teresa and David Matias prove their love of authentic Mexican and defend the legendary status of their huevos rancheros made with handmade tortillas and fire-roasted green chilies. Don't miss Teresa's second claim to fame with the spicy chilaquiles.
Bobby calls Chef Melba Wilson the "Queen Bee" when it comes to chicken and waffles. A family recipe that has been passed down for generations, this sweet and savory Harlem favorite is topped with strawberry butter and maple syrup. If you're going for dinner, get a side of Tres Mac and Cheese too.
Venezuelan-born Chef Marianna Vadukul opened an Indian restaurant after marrying her Indian-born husband. On Throwdown with Bobby Flay, she cooked her Chicken Tikka Masala, flavored with cumin, cardamom and masala. Vegetarians should try the chana masala — chickpeas cooked in coconut milk.
Swiss Amaretto Almond is Julia Reynolds' weapon of choice. At The Ice Cream Man in Greenwich, N.Y., she's churned out 300+ homemade ice cream flavors that make crowds scream. Even Bobby couldn't resist a double dip of her Classic Vanilla with Granny Smith Apple Topping during their sundae Throwdown.
Rodney Henry starting selling pies to pay for his Rock and Roll habit with local band The Glenmont Popes. Try his Baltimore Bomb pie, made with Berger cookies (a local delicacy that's mostly chocolate frosting) that melt down into a sweet vanilla chess filling.
At Granville's the mussels in the signature Moules Fromage Bleu double as a serving spoon, getting loaded with a delicious broth of white wine, pork belly and the unusual but oh-so-perfect ingredient: blue cheese. The Bobby Throwdown crew and legions of local fans think it's perfect too.
Who knew two hairdressers turned restaurateurs would open one of Boston's best North End restaurants? Sisters Christine and Carla Pallotta have made their Italian eatery Nebo famous with their heirloom vegetable lasagna. It's so good, even Bobby couldn't believe that it's pasta- and meat-free!
"Good Cuban food makes you put a smile on your face," says a diner at La Isla. It's a small place right on Washington St. in Hoboken that specializes in world-class flavors in a down-home environment. Guy stopped in and ate so much of the spicy food, his eyeballs started sweating.
Make restaurant favorites at home with copycat recipes from FN Magazine.
Let Guy take you on a coast-to-coast tour Friday at 9|8c.