Chef Bobby Flay
Photo Courtesy of Bobby Flay
These days, you can catch culinary guru Bobby Flay on Food Network’s Bobby Flay’s Barbecue Addiction, Food Network Star, Iron Chef America and Cooking Channel’s Brunch @ Bobby’s. And, of course, he oversees a slew of restaurants, which include Bar Americain in Mohegan Sun in Connecticut, Mesa Grill in Caesars Palace Las Vegas, Gato in New York City and a rapidly expanding Bobby’s Burger Palace chain (there are 19 locations and counting).
In between the rigorous shooting schedule and running his restaurant empire, Flay somehow found time to get down to February’s South Beach Wine and Food Festival. During our chat and cooking lesson at Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Loews Miami Beach Hotel, we talked hot sauce, emojis, Jay Z and his go-to Miami restaurants.
If you could be an emoji what would you be?
Me licking a vanilla ice cream cone.
Mandolin Greek Village Salad, Photo Courtesy of Mandolin Aegean Bistro
Salt or pepper?
Pepper.
Sriracha or hot sauce?
Hot sauce.
Scrambled eggs or sunny-side up?
Sunny-side up — that’s where all the flavor is, in the yolk.
What is your favorite song to get you in the mood for cooking?
Hip-hop all the way. I’m from New York City! Jay Z, T.I., Iggy Azalea, Nicki Minaj.
What’s the best brunch in Miami?
Cecconi’s Miami Beach and Mandolin Aegean Bistro.
What breakfast dish is your favorite?
A Moroccan egg dish with spicy flavors.
The Basement, Photo Courtesy of Marriott International Inc
You can’t live without…
Cheeseburgers, lobster and ice cream.
Ice cream? I didn’t see you as a sweets guy.
Yeah, I love ice cream. Anything vanilla based.
What do you love about grilling?
Creating a crusty depth of flavor and creating a contrast.
What’s a great trick or technique you use in the kitchen that people may not know about? Using high heat in a cast-iron pan. It’s also economical.
Where do you like to play in Miami?
Basement at The Miami Beach Edition is pretty cool. They have a bowling alley and an ice skating rink [in there]. What’s not to love?
