All the Things You Didn't Know About Bobby Flay

Learn about what the chef and food-competition guru is up to when he’s out of the kitchen.

May 03, 2022
Host Sophie Flay and Bobby Flay sample the Classic Cheeseburger and Cottage Fried Potatoes at JP Melon's, as seen on Flay vs Flay, Season 1.

Host Sophie Flay and Bobby Flay sample the Classic Cheeseburger and Cottage Fried Potatoes at JP Melon's, as seen on Flay vs Flay, Season 1.

Photo by: Anders Krusberg

Anders Krusberg

Favorite New York City Restaurant: J.G. Melon

"The best cheeseburgers in the world"

Photo by: Liz Ligon ©Liz Ligon

Liz Ligon, Liz Ligon

Gas or Charcoal for the Grill: Both

"I actually have both, but you know purists would always say charcoal."

Bobby Flay cooks with Michael Symon as seen on Food Network's Thanksgiving at Bobby's.

Bobby Flay cooks with Michael Symon as seen on Food Network's Thanksgiving at Bobby's.

Photo by: Rich Freeda ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Rich Freeda, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Favorite Chef: His Best Friend, Michael Symon

"His food is always just so tasty and delicious."

Chef Name: Bobby Flay

Full Recipe Name: Classic Fried Chicken

Talent Recipe: Bobby Flayâ  s Classic Fried Chicken, as seen on Food Networkâ  s Throwdown with Bobby Flay

FNK Recipe: 

Project: Foodnetwork.com, CINCO/SUMMER/FATHERSDAY

Show Name: Throwdown with Bobby Flay

BobbyFlay_ClassicFriedChicken_H

Chef Name: Bobby FlayFull Recipe Name: Classic Fried ChickenTalent Recipe: Bobby Flay’s Classic Fried Chicken, as seen on Food Network’s Throwdown with Bobby FlayFNK Recipe: Project: Foodnetwork.com, CINCO/SUMMER/FATHERSDAYShow Name: Throwdown with Bobby Flay,Chef Name: Bobby Flay Full Recipe Name: Classic Fried Chicken Talent Recipe: Bobby Flay’s Classic Fried Chicken, as seen on Food Network’s Throwdown with Bobby Flay FNK Recipe: Project: Foodnetwork.com, CINCO/SUMMER/FATHERSDAY Show Name: Throwdown with Bobby Flay

Photo by: Renee Comet ©2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Renee Comet, 2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Hottest Food He’s Ever Eaten: Nashville Hot Chicken

"I couldn’t feel my face."

penne pasta smothered in tomato sauce

penne pasta smothered in tomato sauce

penne pasta smothered in tomato sauce

Go-To Weeknight Meal: Pasta

"You can make yourself a really quick tomato and Parmesan pasta at a moment’s notice."

Microphone on reflective background

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Microphone on reflective background

Photo by: Enrico Fianchini ©Enrico Fianchini

Enrico Fianchini, Enrico Fianchini

Favorite Karaoke Tune: Encore by Jay Z and Linkin Park

"I don’t really sing karaoke because that would be a bad scene."

Favorite Blend for Burgers: Think Fat

"The most-important thing in terms of blend is the ratio of meat to fat, so you want about 80 percent beef to 20 percent fat. That’s the key."

Coarse ground black pepper on a wooden spoon and spilled on an old, weathered wood surface.

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Coarse ground black pepper on a wooden spoon and spilled on an old, weathered wood surface.

Photo by: S.K. Howard / iStock ©skhoward

S.K. Howard / iStock, skhoward

Spice He Can’t Live Without: Black Pepper

"It’s something that I use every single day."

Golf ball on the lawn

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Golf ball on the lawn

Photo by: Deklofenak / iStock ©Deklofenak

Deklofenak / iStock, Deklofenak

Favorite Non-Cooking Hobby: Golf

"That’s certainly something I love to do."

Bobby Flay cooks an outdoor meal with President Barack Obama.

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Bobby Flay cooks an outdoor meal with President Barack Obama.

Most-Memorable Meal: Cooking for President Obama and Chinese President Xi

"They wanted an all-American meal, so we served some steaks, we served a lobster tamale to represent New Mexico, and then we made fresh cherry pies with bourbon vanilla ice cream."

real edible icecream, no artificial ingredients used!

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real edible icecream, no artificial ingredients used!

Photo by: iStock ©unpict

iStock, unpict

Food He Cannot Live Without: Ice Cream

"Any kind of ice cream is my thing — pistachio, by the way."

Desert-Island Foods: The Makings of a Good Time

"I would take a handful of lobsters, some chipotle chiles, pistachio gelato, a couple ears of corn and a case of rosé — party."

Host Bobby Flay races to finish his Round 2 lobster newburg dish, as seen on Food Network's Beat Bobby Flay, Season 8.

Host Bobby Flay races to finish his Round 2 lobster newburg dish, as seen on Food Network's Beat Bobby Flay, Season 8.

Photo by: Scott Gries ©2016, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

Scott Gries, 2016, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

Destined to Cook? Not Exactly

"I had no idea. I started cooking, dropped out of high school and went to work in a restaurant."

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