About Guy Fieri
Known
for his high-energy personality, his passion for food and his
trademark bleached-blond spiky hair, Guy Fieri has been dubbed a
“culinary rock star.” In addition to being a talented chef, he
is a successful restaurateur, a New York Times best-selling
cookbook author and an engaging television personality.
Guy’s first TV program,
Guy’s Big Bite, premiered on Food Network in 2006.
Today, Fieri also hosts the top-rated show
Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and the special series
Tailgate Warriors, and serves as guest judge on
Next Food Network Star. Since 2010, Fieri has been host of
the NBC primetime game show,
Minute To Win
It.
This likable, laid-back California "guy" 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, California-based Italian restaurant,
Johnny Garlic's.
Their first location opened in Santa Rosa, California, in the
fall of 1996, a second outpost in Windsor, California, in 1999
and their third location in Roseville, California, in 2008. With
the success of their first restaurant concept, in 2003 they
developed Tex Wasabi's,
a Southern BBQ and California Sushi restaurant in Santa Rosa.
Their second location opened in Sacramento in 2007. Committed to
strengthening 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 released his first cookbook, Guy Fieri Food
(William Morrow). That same month, he 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.
Combining his culinary passion with a philanthropy vision,
Guy has led efforts supporting the military and the health of
young people.
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.
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 children's self-esteem
in a fun and positive way.
Guy lives in Northern California with his wife, Lori, and
their two sons, Hunter and Ryder.