Guy Fieri
From daytime to prime time, Guy brings his unique personality to Food Network multiple times a week.
In 2006 Guy Fieri 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 Food Network Star. Guy also collaborates with Rachael Ray in the star-studded competition series Rachael vs. Guy Celebrity Cook-Off, which premiered January 1, 2012, on Food Network. On March 14, 2010, Guy made his debut as a game show host on the new NBC prime-time series, Minute to Win It.
This likeable, 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”) 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 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. Their first location opened in Santa Rosa, Calif., in fall 1996, a second outpost opened in Windsor, Calif., in 1999, and their third opened in Roseville, Calif., in 2008. A fourth location opened in Dublin, Calif., in summer 2011. Following the success of their first restaurant concept, in 2003 they developed Tex Wasabi’s, a Southern barbecue and California sushi restaurant in Santa Rosa, Calif. In 2011 the restaurant reopened to rave reviews after an 18-month, $1 million renovation. A second Tex Wasabi’s is located in Sacramento, Calif. Combined, there are now a total of six locations. Always looking to make improvements to 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, Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives: An All-American Road Trip...with Recipes! (William Morrow), based on his widely popular show, which offers recipes and memorable stories from establishments he 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 Joints (William Morrow), hit stores in November 2009. Both editions landed in the #1 spot on The New York Times Best Sellers List for 12+ weeks. In May 2011 Guy released his first cookbook, Guy Fieri Food (William Morrow), which includes more than 125 original recipes, full-color photos and cooking tips. That same month, he combined the worlds of food and rock ‘n’ roll during 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.
In 2011, Guy launched his own line of Guy Fieri Barbecue Sauces and Salsas as well as a Flavortown food line, which includes ready-to-eat frozen and refrigerated food products. Currently available nationwide, Guy Fieri Barbecue Sauces and Salsas each come in four varieties, while the Flavortown line offers items such as pre-marinated steak and pork, five varieties of sausage and appetizers that include everything from pot stickers and hush puppies to grilled shrimp and scallop skewers.
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 annually as Cook With Your Kids Day. While it was passed unanimously by the California State Legislature in 2008, in April 2011 Guy received a new resolution that recognizes Cook With Your Kids Day every Sunday. Invited by the U.S. Navy team to cook at the White House, Guy spoke to politicians about making this a nationally recognized holiday. In August 2010 he officially launched CWK (Cooking With Kids), a program that encourages developing healthy eating habits to address the childhood obesity crisis and strengthen the family unit by sharing quality time in the kitchen.
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, all 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.
