Who is Guy Fieri?

Answer: Guy Fieri is mostly known as The Food Network's resident bleach-blonde quill-haired motormouth host of their hit series, "Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives", as well as two other FN shows. He's also a successful restaurateur with a small northern California chain called "Johnny Garlic's." And he's a real chef; the profession providing his entry into cable television stardom as the second season winner of The Food Network's reality series competition, "The Next Food Network Star." His latest incarnation is as NBC's primetime host of "Minute to Win It", an amped-up version of the classic game show "Beat the Clock."

Guy Fieri in training

Guy Fieri grew up in the picturesque northern California town of Ferndale. He began his career in the food business at age 16 after building a three-wheeled bicycle cart with his father. Guy sold soft pretzels from the cart. His business was called "The Awesome Pretzel."

After high school, he attended the University of Las Vegas where he studied Hospitality Management. After college graduation, he went on to manage a Stouffer's restaurant in Long Beach and then six restaurants as a district manager of the Louise's Trattoria chain.

In 1996, he opened his first Johnny Garlic's restaurant in Santa Rosa, California with partner Steve Gruber.

Guy Fieri breaks into TV

After winning "The Next Food Network Star" competition in 2006, the Food Network gave him his own cooking show, "Guy's Big Bite." In 2007, a mere few months later, "Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives" launched and became a network hit known for his bubbly personality and catchphrases like "off the hook."

Fellow high-profile television celebrity chef, The Travel Channel's Anthony Bourdain, has his own negative opinions about Fieri's celebrity persona. Says Bourdain, "Guy Fieri kind of looks like he's been designed by committee."

Guy Fieri as a business franchise

Along with his restaurants, Guy also promotes his Knuckle Sandwich line of knives and cookware. He also has a syndicated radio show called "Food Guy and Marcy."

Guy Fieri has two sons and a wife. They live in Santa Rosa.