I was hired as a sous-chef at a restaurant on the Upper East Side. The chef liked to drink - some mornings we would find him sleeping. Two weeks after its opening, I became the chef. I was 20 years old, and way over my head. I had to hire the cooks and do the menus.

Robert William "Bobby" Flay (born December 10 1964) is an American celebrity chef restaurateur and reality television personality. Chefography: Bobby Flay — Biography of Flay's life and career. He caught the attention of restaurateur Jerome Kretchmer who was looking for a southwestern style chef.

He is the owner and executive chef of several restaurants: Mesa Grill in Las Vegas New York and the Bahamas; Bar Americain in New York and Uncasville CT; Bobby Flay Steak in Atlantic City and Bobby's Burger Palace in ten locations. Flay is featured on the Great Chefs television series.