Guy Fieri

Guy Fieri had the Midas touch when it came to picking the best of unpretentious food in America. He first burst onto the scene as winner of season two of the reality competition series, "The Next Food Network Star," (Food Network, 2005- ), where his unconventional look, infectious personality, and fresh take on California cuisine won over celebrity chefs and judges.

A successful restaurateur in Santa Rosa, CA, Fieri changed the cooking show landscape with his high energy and a palpable love for creative dishes that he frequently whipped up on his show, "Guy's Big Bite" (Food Network, 2006- ). Fieri was then catapulted into fame as host of the Food Network's top-rated series, "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" (2006- ), where he tooled around the country in search of the most unique "greasy spoon" spots - from breakfast cafes to burger and barbecue joints. The popular series not only showcased the best in good eats, but also established Fieri as one of the country's most original and well-liked food personalities.

Guy Ramsay Ferry was born on Jan. 22, 1968 in Columbus, OH. While the future TV star would later be known for his astronomic appetite for all things greasy, it was his parents' macrobiotic diet - vegetarian, no red meat, nondairy - that led him to start cooking because he could not stand to eat their food. At 10, Fieri started selling soft pretzels he dubbed as "The Awesome Pretzel" from a three-wheeled bicycle cart that his father built for him. He used his earnings from selling pretzels and washing dishes to study as an exchange student in Chantilly, France, where he developed a love for international cuisine.

Fieri worked at various restaurants while studying at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas, where he graduated in 1990 with a degree in hospitality management. For three years, he managed Stoufers' flagship restaurant in Long Beach, CA, before moving on to work as district manager of Louise's Trattoria, where he oversaw training and recruiting.

In 1996, Fieri and his business partner, Steve Gruber, opened a Santa Rosa-based Italian restaurant named Johnny's Garlic. The pair opened a second California location in Windsor in 1999 and a third in Roseville in 2008. He also owned Tex Wasabi's, a Southern barbecue and sushi restaurant located in Santa Rosa and Sacramento. While he enjoyed a successful career as a restaurateur, Fieri tried his luck on Food Network's reality competition, "The Next Food Network Star," during its 2006 season. With his eclectic take on California cuisine and unusual looks - spiky, bleached-blond hair, trademark bowling shirts, and hipster wristwatches - Fieri beat seven aspiring TV personalities to win the coveted title and an opportunity to host his own cooking show.

Following his win, Fieri starred on "Guy's Big Bite," a show where he taught viewers how to jazz up new and classic dishes with bold flavors. He also had one of the most enviable gigs as host of "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives," where Fieri toured America in search of the most unique diner food. The series saw Fieri eat his way through the country's best burger joints, barbecue restaurants, and everything culinary in between.

A hit among viewers of all ages, "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" put the eateries Fieri raved about on the map. The popular series also spawned two books, Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives: An All-American Road Trip - with Recipes! (2008) and More Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives (2010). In 2010, Fieri began hosting NBC's game show, "Minute to Win It," a competition that pitted contestants against the most seemingly innocuous tasks involving common household objects like paper cups and ping-pong balls for a chance to win $1 million.

The series enjoyed good ratings, and in spite of Fieri's tendency to talk too much during the actual games, he came across as being genuinely interested in the contestants doing well on the show.