Bobby Flay

https://commons.wikimedia.org/U.S. Department of State from United States [Public domain]When you ask for an easy-bake oven for Christmas at age 5, and continue to cook while growing up, you know you may be going against the norm. Bobby Flay grilled his way to fame, but it takes much more than that to stay at the top of your profession. From childhood, taking the expected path was not on his agenda. Flay was determined to forge his own path and do things his own way. Flay grew up in New York with his mom Dorothy and his dad Bill. Back when he was a child, gender norms were a big thing. Only girls were most likely to get “Easy Bake Ovens.” He knew he wanted to be a chef when he finally got one for Christmas. At the age of seventeen, he started working as a busboy for Joe Allen, his dad’s business partner. From there, his career took off. Some might call him chef, others might call him a hero. However, Flay’s passion for cooking combined with his determination and drive has propelled him from busboy to acclaimed chef, author and Food Network star. Having a role model who is hardworking, always looking to excel at their craft and improve life in their community, is inspiring.

Through his books on healthy to comforting recipes and his wide range of television hosting, he is known to be extremely hardworking. Flay’s skills took him beyond the kitchen to a much larger audience. “Flay entered the publishing market in 1994 with his first book, Bobby Flay's Bold American Food: More than Two Hundred Revolutionary Recipes, co-written with Joan Schwartz… In 1996 Flay hosted his first television show, The Main Ingredient with Bobby Flay on the Lifetime Network, and from there, his television career took off quickly” (“Bobby Flay.” Newsmakers). Bobby Flay is hardworking because he didn't become famous overnight. Flay was 17 when he first made an impact on the public. It took many years from that point to become famous. It was not just by his restaurants, books or TV shows but by his actions. “And then I turned forty. It wasn't an overnight change but I definitely started to feel heavy and slow. I realized that I couldn't down two burgers and a shake for a late dinner like I could in my twenties. I went back to the basics, concentrating on fueling my body with nourishing, great-tasting food” (Banyas #11). Bobby realized something was wrong with his food choices. He made the effort to change his eating habits and wanted to share what he learned and the recipes he created. Flay made an effort to change himself for the better and also help others by working hard and showing people how to modify their favorite foods to be healthier.

Flay is an inspiration to many. From awards for his books to fame on TV, he cares about people being able to enjoy food but still find ways to make them healthy. He showed people there is more to life than unhealthy eating. From a young age he started working his way to the top. “Meanwhile, in 1993 the prestigious James Beard Foundation named Flay its Rising Star Chef of the Year, its top honor for the most accomplished American chef under age 30, setting the stage for many more awards and honors to come” (“Bobby Flay.” Newsmakers). It was an honor to be singled out by his peers. Flay didn't need to say much to get his word out about his “life lessons.” “There are no magic bullets, no quick fixes. Getting to a place where you feel healthy and energetic can take a while. It can be even harder to maintain that state once you get there. But changes to the way you eat and live can help. Being fit is just as much mental as it is physical” (Banyas #12). It was helpful to hear that even someone as successful as Bobby still knew he could improve his health. He made permanent lifestyle changes. Bobby flay is an inspiration, and will be for the rest of his life.

Bobby Flay continues to share his healthy take on food by his books, his own experience, and his determination to always be his best. “Flay then worked in other Manhattan eateries before winning the head chefs job at the Miracle Grill. There, in the late 1980s, he began introducing the flavors of American Southwest cooking to the menu, and the restaurant earned good reviews and a devoted clientele” (“Bobby Flay.” Gale). Since I want to be a chef, I look up to Flay as someone who followed his own path, believed in himself and continues to work hard. He showed us that following your dreams and not giving up, someday you can be as successful doing what you love.

Banyas, Stephanie. Bobby Flay Fit - 200 Recipes for a Healthy Lifestyle. Random House USA

Inc, 2017.

"Bobby Flay." Gale Biography in Context, Gale, 2005. Biography In Context,

https://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/K1650004630/BIC?u=powa9245&sid=BIC&xid=11a021ad. Accessed 31 Mar. 2019.

"Bobby Flay." Newsmakers, vol. 2, Gale, 2010. Biography In Context,

https://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/K1618005073/BIC?u=powa9245&sid=BIC&xid=631dab98. Accessed 21 Mar. 2019