17 things you probably didn't know about Bobby Flay

Erin McDowellDec 10, 2020, 20:41 IST

Bobby Flay specializes in Southwestern cuisine and barbecue.Bobb Flay/Facebook

Bobby Flay is one of the best-known TV chefs in the business.
With a reported net worth of $30 million and a legacy of wins on "Iron Chef America," he's also one of the most successful.
Flay first worked in a kitchen as a teenager because he "had nothing else to do that day."

Bobby Flay is one of the most recognizable names in the food industry, but there are many interesting facts that even the most devout Food Network fans may not know about the chef.

Fans may be surprised to find out that Flay dropped out of high school and became a head chef by age 20. Since then, he has hosted over a dozen TV series, written 15 cookbooks, and has become a multimillionaire.

As Bobby Flay celebrates his 56th birthday on December 10, here are 17 facts you probably didn't know about him.

When Flay was 8 years old, he asked for an Easy-Bake Oven for Christmas.

Bobby Flay. Ethan Miller/Getty Images

After dropping out of high school at age 17, Flay began working as a busboy.

The exterior of Joe Allen on Restaurant Row in New York on May 21, 2014. AP Photo/Mark Kennedy

Flay, then 18, impressed his boss at so much that he agreed to pay for Flay's tuition at New York City's French Culinary Institute, now the International Culinary Center.

Chef Bobby Flay, right, checks an order from the kitchen at his restaurant, Bobby's Burger Palace, in Cincinnati. AP Photo/Al Behrman

Flay, then 18, impressed his boss at so much that he agreed to pay for Flay's tuition at New York City's French Culinary Institute, now the International Culinary Center.

Flay became a head chef at just 20 years old.

Bobby Flay. Michele Eve Sandberg/Invision/AP

Flay specializes in Mexican and Southwestern cooking styles but is also a barbecue aficionado.

Flay greets fans in the LG Kitchen at the 2012 Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival. Diane Bondareff/Invision for LG Electronics/AP Images

His favorite place to grab a burger is J.G. Melon in New York City.

Cheeseburger from J.G. Melon. Evie B./Yelp

However, despite being a native New Yorker, Flay now lives in Los Angeles.

Bobby Flay. Michael Tran/FilmMagic/Getty Images

He opened his first restaurant when he was just 26, and it remained open for 23 years.

Mesa Grill Las Vegas at the CinemaCon Convention at Caesar's Palace on March 30, 2010, in Las Vegas. Kathy Hutchins/Shutterstock

Bobby Flay's cat, Nacho Flay, is famous on Instagram.

Bobby Flay cooking nachos with his cat, Nacho Flay. Tasting Table/YouTube

Bobby Flay has been married - and divorced - three times.

Bobby Flay and Stephanie March arrive at the 135th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 2, 2009, in Louisville, Kentucky. AP Photo/Gail Kamenish

Flay has a 23-year-old daughter named Sophie, and they love to cook together.

Chef Bobby Flay and Sophie Flay arrive at VH1's Save The Music Foundation's Hamptons Live Benefit on Saturday, August 8, 2015. Scott Roth/Invision/AP

Bobby Flay has given former President Barack Obama a couple of grilling tips.

President Barack Obama gets grilling tips from White Houses guest chef Bobby Flay on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington. AP

Bobby Flay appeared on and off on "Iron Chef" for 17 years.

Bobby Flay works on the grill during the taping of the "Iron Chef America" in 2004. AP

Throughout his career, Flay has hosted 16 different cooking shows and specials on Food Network and the Cooking Channel.

Bobby Flay poses with the culinary program award for "Barbecue Addiction" at the Daytime Emmy Awards in 2012. Todd Williamson/Invision/AP

Bobby Flay has written 15 cookbooks.

Bobby Flay hosts the South Beach Wine & Food Festival. Michele Eve Sandberg/Invision/AP

Flay was the first chef to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Bobby Flay at the Bobby Flay Hollywood Walk of Fame Ceremony at the Hollywood Blvd on June 2, 2015. Kathy Hutchins/Shutterstock

Bobby Flay reportedly has a net worth of $30 million.

Bobby Flay. Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images

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17 things you probably didn't know about Bobby Flay

When Flay was 8 years old, he asked for an Easy-Bake Oven for Christmas.

After dropping out of high school at age 17, Flay began working as a busboy.

Flay, then 18, impressed his boss at so much that he agreed to pay for Flay's tuition at New York City's French Culinary Institute, now the International Culinary Center.

Flay became a head chef at just 20 years old.

Flay specializes in Mexican and Southwestern cooking styles but is also a barbecue aficionado.

His favorite place to grab a burger is J.G. Melon in New York City.

However, despite being a native New Yorker, Flay now lives in Los Angeles.

He opened his first restaurant when he was just 26, and it remained open for 23 years.

Bobby Flay's cat, Nacho Flay, is famous on Instagram.

Bobby Flay has been married - and divorced - three times.

Flay has a 23-year-old daughter named Sophie, and they love to cook together.

Bobby Flay has given former President Barack Obama a couple of grilling tips.

Bobby Flay appeared on and off on "Iron Chef" for 17 years.

Throughout his career, Flay has hosted 16 different cooking shows and specials on Food Network and the Cooking Channel.

Bobby Flay has written 15 cookbooks.

Flay was the first chef to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Bobby Flay reportedly has a net worth of $30 million.