Celebrity chef Bobby Flay keeps many plates spinning
RALEIGH, N.C. – Celebrity chef Bobby Flay sat down recently to answer a few questions about his cooking and what spice he couldn’t live without.
For those who don’t tune into the Food Network, Flay, 43, who is known for his Southwestern cuisine, is the owner of six restaurants, including his flagship Mesa Grill in New York City. He also is the author of too many cookbooks to name and the star of several cooking shows. One of his most recent shows, “Throwdown with Bobby Flay,” pits the chef against masters of various cooking genres from barbecue to doughnuts.
Q. Is there any loss on “Throwdown with Bobby Flay” that sticks in your craw?
A. Never. I like losing.
Q. Why?
A. I wish there was not even a result on “Throwdown.” That’s not what it’s about. It’s really about showcasing these people who are so good at what they do. So I have a lot of losses. “Iron Chef” is a different story. I want to win those.
Q. Earlier today, you told a group of culinary students that you spend 90 percent of your time in your restaurants’ kitchens. How is that possible because it seems like you are always on the Food Network?
A. The great thing about cable. You shoot a little bit, and they show it a lot. I shoot television but I shoot it in chunks, in bunches. It’s the only way I’ll do it. I’ll do a whole season of “Grill It” in six days. That’s only half the day. The other half, I’m in the restaurant at night. The only time I’m not in the restaurants is when I have to travel with “Throwdown.” I have restaurants in other places as well. I multitask always.
Q. How do you keep your sanity?
A. Who said I’m sane? I keep my sanity by working.
Q. I’m sure success has its benefits and celebrity has its downfalls. But is there anything you miss from when you were a little bit more anonymous?
A. I miss being a line cook.
Q. Why?
A. I cooked on a line as a cook for like seven or eight years. I loved the camaraderie of it. I loved the energy of it. I loved being in the heat of being busy. I felt like I was part of a team. I was always an athlete growing up and into my early adulthood. I love being able to high-five someone next to me because we accomplished something. Now I’m the head coach. It’s a little bit lonelier being the head coach.