Labeling Guy Fieri as just another celebrity chef is quite an understatement. Since winning the Next Food Network Star in 2006, he has gone on to host three top rated Food Network shows and NBC’s primetime hit, Minute to Win It. We caught up with the spiky haired, car obsessed, grilling king to see what else he has been up to since becoming America’s most infamous bad boy in the kitchen.

By Lauren Bayliss — Photographed by Sherrie Blondin

Lauren: Do you think that your outside the box approach to American food television has helped you connect to more people?

Guy: Ya, I have been living my life this way for as long as I have been in the business and people seem to jive with it. Everyone embraces food in his or her own style and I just think my style resonates with a lot of people out there.

Lauren: I read that a woman threw her bra at you while you were on stage doing a food demo. Do you ever feel like a rock star more than a chef?

Guy: Well, I mean, racecar drivers, actors, musicians – they are all rock stars in their own right. It’s just a label for people who live life to the fullest. I can’t play guitar but I can play a griddle. I make music that you can’t hear, only taste!

Lauren: We love when you visit our neck of the woods on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, what is your take on Boston’s restaurant scene?

Guy: I love Boston. It is definitely stacked with great food. I just visited Rino’s in East Boston and I must say, everyone needs to check that place out asap! Overall, Boston is an awesome town with great character.

Lauren: What are your top three road trip worthy diners?

Guy: You’re killing me here! That is impossible to answer. In the moment “that one” is the greatest, so there is no way to choose a list of my favorites, they are all worthy of that honor.

Lauren: Fair enough. I don’t know how I would choose either in your position. What is one food that you won’t go near?

Guy: Liver – can’t do it. I can’t even smell it being cooked.

Lauren: We have seen you eat some pretty unhealthy things on Triple D. Do you promote healthy eating at home with your family?

Guy: That is kind of a misconception about the show. I am actually not a fan of fried foods, I am all about whole grains and organic foods. There is a stereotype about diners and dives only serving unhealthy foods, but that isn’t the case. We visit so many places that use amazing ingredients in their dishes. I’m all about quality not quantity and that is how it is at home with my kids too.

Lauren: I love your new show, Minute to Win It. How did you transition from food TV to a primetime game show?

Guy: My agent got in touch with producers of the show and said he had a high-energy chef that would be great for the gig. I auditioned and that was that. As far as transitioning goes, it really isn’t that different. It’s still me being an everyday guy, whether I am interacting with people about food or winning
an insane amount of money.

Lauren: Any favorite challenges?

Guy: I am definitely a fan of anything involving food; Chocolate Unicorn and Face the Cookie are two of my favorites. I am not a fan of any of the ping-pong ball challenges though; they are always impossible.

Lauren: What is the deal with your trademark “guy-isms”?

Guy: There is no rhyme or reason what so ever. I blurt them out and some of them just stick. I run with a lot of crazy buddies who inspire them.

Lauren: What do you have in store for us this fall?

Guy: Lots of filming for new episodes of Triple D and Guy’s Big Bite. I am also coming out with a new line of sauces that should be ready for you guys soon. I am just looking forward to more growth and more opportunities to keep doing what I do.