Guy Fieri facts for kids

Guy Ramsay Fieri (US: /fiˈɛdi/; born January 22, 1968), whose original last name was Ferry, is a famous American chef, author, and TV host. He has won an Emmy Award for his work.

Guy Fieri is well-known for hosting many popular cooking shows on the Food Network. He also has restaurants around the world that use his name. In 2010, The New York Times newspaper said that Guy Fieri had become the "face of the network." They noted that his shows brought an exciting, fun style to American food TV. His prime-time shows also attracted more male viewers than any other shows on the network.

Early Life and School

Guy Ramsay Fieri was born Guy Ramsay Ferry on January 22, 1968. His parents were Penelope Anne and Lewis James Ferry. Guy grew up in a small town called Ferndale, California, in a rural area.

When he was in high school, Guy was a foreign exchange student in Chantilly, France. This trip helped him discover his love for food and cooking.

After high school, Guy Fieri went to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in hotel management in 1990.

Guy's Career Journey

Guy Fieri started his food journey very early. When he was just 10 years old, he sold pretzels from his "Awesome Pretzel" bicycle cart in Ferndale. He and his dad built the cart together.

He also washed dishes to save money for his trip to France to study food. After returning, he worked at the Red Lion Inn restaurant in Eureka, California. He stayed there until he went to college.

After graduating from college, Guy managed Parker's Lighthouse, a restaurant in Long Beach, California. He worked there for three years. Then, he became a district manager for Louise's Trattoria. He managed six locations and helped train new staff for these restaurants.

A burger and chicken wings from Guy Fieri's Vegas Kitchen & Bar in Las Vegas

In 2013, Guy Fieri won a Daytime Emmy Award. He won for "Outstanding Special Class Special" for his Food Network show called Guy Fieri's Family Reunion.

Guy's Restaurants

In 1996, Guy Fieri and his business partner, Steve Gruber, opened their first restaurant. It was called Johnny Garlic's, a "California Pasta Grill" in Santa Rosa, California. They opened more locations over the years.

They also created Tex Wasabi's in 2003, which served barbecue and sushi. This restaurant was in Santa Rosa.

Fieri in July 2013

Guy Fieri opened his first New York City restaurant, Guy's American Kitchen and Bar, in 2012. It was very popular and was on a list of top independent restaurants for four years. It closed at the end of 2017.

In 2011, Guy Fieri teamed up with Carnival Cruise lines. They created Guy's Burger Joint, which serves his burgers on cruise ships. By 2017, there were 19 of these restaurants on Carnival's ships. Some even served beer and BBQ.

Interior of a "Chicken Guy" restaurant in Miami, 2023

In April 2014, Guy Fieri's Vegas Kitchen and Bar opened in Las Vegas. In 2015, Guy Fieri's Baltimore Kitchen & Bar opened in Baltimore.

In 2018, Fieri worked with Planet Hollywood founder Robert Earl. They opened a fast-food chicken sandwich shop called Chicken Guy! at Disney Springs in Walt Disney World. In 2021, Guy Fieri opened Guy Fieri's Flavortown Kitchen. This is a "delivery-only" restaurant, meaning you can only order food from it to be delivered.

Guy's TV Shows

Guy Fieri won the second season of The Next Food Network Star in 2006. This win gave him his own cooking show on Food Network. His show, Guy's Big Bite, started on June 25, 2006.

His second show, Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, began in April 2007. In this show, Guy travels around the country visiting local restaurants. The New York Times called it more of a "reality show" than a cooking show.

He also co-hosted Ultimate Recipe Showdown with Marc Summers. This show aired for three seasons. In 2008, Guy Off the Hook started, which was a show with a live studio audience.

Guy Fieri also appeared on other Food Network shows. These included Dinner: Impossible, Paula's Party, Ace of Cakes, and The Best Thing I Ever Ate.

In 2009, NBC chose Guy Fieri to host the game show Minute to Win It. It started in March 2010 and ran for two seasons.

Fieri receives the key to the city of Ferndale in 2012

In January 2012, Guy Fieri was a team captain on the Food Network show Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off. A second season of this show aired in 2013.

His cooking challenge show, Guy's Grocery Games, began in October 2013. On this show, four cooks compete through three rounds, judged by a panel of three. His series, Guy's Family Road Trip, started in 2017.

In May 2021, Guy Fieri signed a new three-year contract with Food Network.

Advertising and Other Projects

Guy Fieri has appeared in commercials for different companies. He was a spokesperson for T.G.I. Friday's in 2008 and 2009. In 2010, he was in a commercial for Aflac insurance.

Fieri in August 2021

In 2009, Guy Fieri started touring with the Guy Fieri Roadshow. This food tour visited many states and featured other Food Network stars. He also attended food festivals, like the Atlantic City Food and Wine Festival.

In 2015, Guy Fieri officiated a wedding for his friend, chef Art Smith. This wedding included many couples and was held to celebrate love and commitment. Guy officiated these weddings to honor his late sister, who he loved very much.

Guy Fieri also owns a vineyard and sells wine. His wine label is called Hunt & Ryde, named after his sons Hunter and Ryder.

In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Guy Fieri helped raise money for restaurant workers who lost their jobs. He teamed up with the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. In less than two months, they raised over US$20 million to help these workers.

Guy Fieri is also producing a play called The Life and Slimes of Marc Summers. It stars his friend and former Food Network co-host, Marc Summers.

Guy's Family Life

Fieri in January 2024

Guy Fieri met his wife, Lori, when she visited a restaurant he was managing in Long Beach, California. They got married in 1995. They live in Santa Rosa, California, with their sons, Hunter and Ryder. They also care for their nephew, Jules. Guy's sister passed away in 2011, and Guy decided to take care of Jules, who was 11 at the time. The Fieris also bought a home in West Palm Beach, Florida, in 2021.

Guy's original last name was Ferry. He changed it to Fieri to honor his grandfather, Giuseppe Fieri. His grandfather was an Italian immigrant who changed his last name to Ferry when he came to the United States.

Guy Fieri also collects classic American cars. Some of his cars include a 1971 Chevrolet Chevelle, a 1968 Pontiac Firebird, and a 1967 Chevrolet C10 pickup truck.

Guy's TV and Movie Appearances

Guy Fieri has appeared in several movies and many television shows.

Movies

Television Shows

Video Games

Books by Guy Fieri

Guy Fieri has written or co-written several cookbooks. Many of these books have been New York Times bestsellers for many weeks.

See also

In Spanish: Guy Fieri para niños

• List of celebrities who own wineries and vineyards