A three-year contract extension has been signed by the Food Network star with the culinary channel. This deal came a few weeks after network parent company Discovery “cut off talks” and decided to split ways with Flay after working with him for 27 years, the rumors also said that this happened because he demanded a $100 million payday.
Bobby Flay is a fourth-generation Irish-American chef, he’s a restaurateur and an author of a cookbook. He is expected to film new episodes of his competition show which is titled “Beat Bobby Flay,” and along with that, he will be working on a new project which is tentatively titled “Bobby and Sophie on the Coast” which will be featuring his 25-year-old daughter Sophie Flay, as per the statement received by The Post.
“Although these talks to renew took a little longer than expected, the important thing is that both sides are happy that we can now build on an already rock-solid foundation,” said Flay, 56.
The Food Network mainstay has been a part of the popular cable cooking channel since its early days in 1994 — and became a household name while starring in a string of his own eponymous shows. He famously dropped out of high school at 17 to pursue a kitchen career.
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“Stay tuned for some incredibly exciting new shows as I promise to take food and cooking to places we’ve never imagined before.” Flay, who announced his new “mystery girlfriend” last week, boasted to his fans on Monday.
The agreement took so long to come together because the Daytime Emmy winner “wanted a contract in the vicinity of $100 million,” surpassing rival Food Network star Guy Fieri’s recent $80 million deal.
“Guy has a three-year deal,” an insider leaked at the time. “The terms of what Bobby was looking for were gravely different than just cash. The terms were longer, the scope of work was different and thus the dollars were different. It’s not just $80 million to $100 million.”
Discovery, Food Network, and Flay representatives did not immediately answer The Washington Post’s queries for more information regarding the new three-year arrangement.
Despite the fact that the final financials of Flay’s arrangement are still being worked out, Courtney White, president of Food Network and Discovery Inc.’s streaming food content, said she is “thrilled” to see Flay stay on the network he helped launch.
“He captivates our audience with his incredible culinary skill, fierce competitive spirit, and his trademark ability to share a deep passion for food,” White said. “Bobby generously invites viewers into his culinary world, sharing his #WeCook philosophy and inspiring everyone in the kitchen. Continuing this creative relationship with such an extraordinary talent is the perfect way to usher in the holidays.”
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