Guy Fieri began his hosting career on the Food Network when he won the second season. The next Food Network star competition two years ago. He is currently the popular host of three Food Network shows, both daytime and stellar, including Ultimate recipe showdown in which the best recipes of home cooks are exposed; Guy’s Big Bite in which he shows viewers how they can make creative, exciting dishes with bold flavors; and Diners – Drive-ins – and Dives, in which he travels the United States in search of the most memorable dining experiences America has to offer.

Viewers are drawn not only by Guy’s individualistic take on food, but also by his unique, personable, and laid-back personality. This Californian dreamer with spiky blonde hair, uniform polo shirt, and Van Dyke beard began his culinary career at age ten, selling soft pretzels to his schoolmates from a three-wheeled bicycle cart that he and his father had built. Six years selling “Awesome Pretzels” and washing dishes in local restaurants earned him enough money to study at Chantilly France as an exchange student. While living in France, he not only gained a lifelong appreciation for haute cuisine, but also for the lifestyle and culture associated with France. Upon returning to the United States, Guy studied Hospitality Management at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree. His first job after college was managing Stouffers’ flagship restaurant in Long Beach, California. Three years later, he swapped out the company logo T-shirts and began working as a district manager for Trattoria de Louise, where he had to oversee his chain of six restaurants, as well as hire and train new employees.

In 1996, Guy opened his own Italian restaurant in Sonoma County, Johnny Garlic’s, in Santa Rosa CA. A second Johnny Garlic’s opened in Windsor three years later, and a third will open in Roseville CA at the end of 2008. The first Johnny Garlic’s was such a success that in 2003 Guy launched a combination of Southern BBQ-style sushi restaurant with California-style called Tex Wasabi’s in Santa Rosa; a second edition followed in 2007 in Sacramento CA. Not only do Guy’s restaurants offer exciting new flavors, but visitors can also shop for fun items ranging from a t-shirt or squeeze bottle to a hat and pocket apron.

Guy has served three terms as president of the Redwood Empire Restaurant Association. He also sits on the board of directors for the California Restaurant Association Education Foundation. Most recently, Guy served as NASCAR Grand Marshal of Sonoma. In 2007 he was transferred by the Navy to the Persian Gulf to cook and entertain the troops. He lives in Sonoma County, California, with his wife Lori and their two children Ryder and Hunter. In addition to his television and cooking work, Guy enjoys traveling with his family and restoring dirt bikes and classic racing cars.