Celebrity Profiles: Who is TV Personality and Chef Guy Fieri?

A Closer Look at the Host of Minute to Win It and Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives

Linda Ann Nickerson
Television reality show contestant turned professional chef, restaurateur and TV host Guy Fieri may be the flavor of the month - at least to foodies and game show fans.

Who is Guy Fieri?

Born Guy Ramsey Ferry (on January 22, 1968), the celebrity chef grew up in Ferndale, California. (Guy Fieri is not related to British television chef and celebrity Gordon Ramsay - of Hell's Kitchen, Master Chef or Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares.) And he changed his last name in 1995 in honor of his grandfather, an Italian immigrant. The original family name was Fieri.

His first venture into the professional culinary world revealed his entrepreneurial nature, as he sold soft pretzels from a bicycle cart in his neighborhood. Guy Fieri was ten years old when he began hawking his pretzels.

As a teen, Guy Fieri completed a one-year exchange student program in Chantilly, France, where he sampled and dabbled in continental cuisine.

Guy Fieri attended the University of Nevada at Las Vegas, graduating in 1990 with a bachelor's degree in hospitality management. Initially, he worked for Stouffers in Long Beach, California, before joining Louise's Trattoria as a district manager in California.

In 2006, Guy Fieri tried out for the second season of The Next Food Network Star, a culinary competition on cable television, and he won.

Today, the bleached-blond, spiky-haired 42-year-old California chef and published author hosts multiple television programs, owns several popular restaurants and markets a line of cutlery and cookware.

What TV shows does Guy Fieri host?

Guy Fieri may be best recognized as the host of NBC's summer game show Minute to Win It. The popular program pits contestants (both celebrities and everyday folks) against timed challenges of dexterity and skill. From stacking plastic cups to linking paper clips in unusual ways, participants practice odd feats in front of live studio audiences to earn their way towards a $1 million jackpot.

In addition, Guy Fieri hosts Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, Guy's Big Bite and Ultimate Recipe Showdown, on the Food Network.

What restaurants does Guy Fieri own?

Guy Fieri co-owns five restaurants (with business partner Steve Gruber). These include Johnny Garlic's (with locations in Roseville, California; Santa Rosa, California; and Windsor, California) and two Tex Wasabi's (with locations in Sacramento, California, and Santa Rosa, California).

What books has Guy Fieri authored?

Published works by Guy Fieri include Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives: An All-American Road Trip and More Diners, Drive-ins and Dives: Another Drop-Top Culinary Chase Through America's Finest and Funkiest Joints.

Does Guy Fieri have a family?

Guy Fieri has been married to Lori Fieri since 1995. The couple has two sons, Hunter and Ryder. The Fieri family lives in Santa Rosa, California.

Sources:

http://guyfieri.blogspot.com

http://www.foodnetwork.com

http://www.guyfieri.com

http://www.tv.com/guy-fieri

http://www.tvguide.com

Published by Linda Ann Nickerson - Featured Contributor in Lifestyle and Sports

Linda Ann Nickerson brings decades of reporting and a globally minded Midwestern perspective to a host of topics, balancing human interest with history, hard facts and often humor.   View profile

  • Chef & TV host Guy Fieri may be the flavor of the month for foodies and game show fans.
  • Who is Guy Fieri? What TV shows does Guy Fieri host? What restaurants does Guy Fieri own?
  • Does Guy Fieri have a family? Take a look at the spiky-haired TV host here.
Linda Ann Nickerson has written and published many helpful holiday how-to's, humor pieces, poems, and informative articles. Click her name at the top to view additional content from this prolific author.

6 Comments

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  • J.C. JORDAN 8/31/2010

    Never watch any cooking shows so I don't know him, but good article.

  • Sheryl Young 8/27/2010

    Guy is my favorite Food host! I listed Diners, Drive Ins and Dives as #1 on the Food Network in a 2008 article.

  • Sandy James 8/26/2010

    Thanks for this.

  • Amy Brantley 8/26/2010

    I love him! Diners, Drive Ins and Dives is the only show I watch on Food Network anymore.

  • Charlotte Kuchinsky 8/26/2010

    He's a character. My husband and I love watching his shows, especially "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives."

  • Patti Walden 8/26/2010

    Excellent - I really like his travel shows!

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