It was roughly a month ago that the news broke that chef and restaurateur Bobby Flay was going to be leaving Food Network, his television home of nearly 30 years. The two sides were unable to come to terms on a new deal and both parties were apparently ready to move on.
Word was that Flay was looking for a deal worth somewhere close to $100 million, which would have made him the highest paid food celebrity on the network. Food Network decided he wasn’t worth that much, walked away, and began making plans to move on without the iconic chef.
Foodies everywhere went into a panic. What would happen to Beat Bobby Flay? Where would Flay end up? Is this the beginning of the end of Food Network? Which streaming service would be willing to pay Flay what he was asking?
Well, it looks like everyone got excited over nothing. It is being reported by Variety that Flay and Food Network have come to terms on a new three-year exclusive contract that will keep Flay right where he is. The new deal will see Flay develop new content not just for Food Network but the entire Discovery portfolio of channels as well as Discovery Plus.
Why did Bobby Flay decide to stay with Food Network?
Bobby Flay Sets New Deal With Food Network After Stalled Talks Quietly Resumed (EXCLUSIVE) https://t.co/mZ91g8C0g0
— Variety (@Variety) November 22, 2021
The first project that will fall under the new deal is the travel-focused series Bobby and Sophie on the Coast, which will co-star his daughter.
Courtney White, president of Food Network and food content for Discovery Plus, talked about how happy the network is to continue their long partnership with Flay.
"“We are thrilled to continue Bobby Flay’s long-standing relationship with Food Network. He captivates our audience with his incredible culinary skill, fierce competitive spirit and his trademark ability to share a deep passion for food. 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.”"
Why the sudden turn around? According to Flay, he simply didn’t find another network that was a good fit for what his television plans included. So negotiations with Food Network quietly resumed and a new deal was the result. Flay talked about how fans can expect different content then you are used to seeing from the chef.
"“It’s always been my determination to always evolve. It’s part of why I’ve been able to stay relevant in this genre. I’m going to be pitching a lot of things that we haven’t seen when it comes to this kind of programing. I’m ready to turn the page and create a new chapter of what (foodie TV) is going to look like.”"
So of course the question becomes who blinked first? Did Food Network up their offer or did Flay discover that no one was willing to pay the $100 million he was seeking and he decided to remain with the network? We my never know.
But the good news is that we can expect more Beat Bobby Flay for the foreseeable future. And that’s a win for foodies everywhere.
What do you think Guilty Eats Nation? Are you happy Bobby Flay will be staying where he belongs on Food Network? Leave a comment below and let us know or join the conversation on our Twitter and Facebook pages.