Bobby Flay Tells Ina Garten That His First Food Network Show Was ‘So Bad That It Was Good’ — Watch (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Ina Gartenis rolling out the welcome mat for another season ofBe My Guest with Ina Garten, and PEOPLE has an exclusive first look at the season 5 premiere.

In the clip, Garten asks him aboutGrillin’ & Chillin’, Flay’s first-ever Food Network series that premiered in 1996. As soon as Garten says the show title, Flay immediately closes his eyes and shakes his head.

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“You were wearing sunglasses and Bermuda shorts,” she adds, prompting Flay to put his head in his hands.

“I’m so sorry for you,” he says jokingly.

Garten replies with a big grin, “Oh, I thought it was great!”

Flay composes himself and tells Garten that he will give her some background on the show.

“I know when that show was shot because my daughterSophie, who’s 27, was ten days old,” explains the father of one. He recalls how the show was filmed on the back lot of the Home Shopping Network: “We shot 42 shows in seven days.”

“That’s insane,” Garten replies with a look of amazement.

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Flay continues to provide more context on the show, explaining that he was the “city guy” and Jack McDavid was the “country guy.” On the show, the cohosts demonstrated different barbecuing recipes using both a propane and charcoal grill.

“Before you got there, there was no editing,” he says, pointing out that Garten’s first Food Network seriesBarefoot Contessa,which started in 2002, was shot differently.

Taping a show so that it was able to air without editing shaped Flay’s current way of filming, he says. “That’s why I shoot so fast these days. I learned how to do it that way,” he explains.

Garten asks, “Were you terrified?” Flay recalls, “I did have an anxiety attack the night before we started shooting.”

Despite his initial self-deprecating response to Garten bringing upGrillin’ & Chillin’, Flay does think of the show fondly. “It was really bad television,” he says bluntly. “But I really believe it was so bad that it was good.”

Of course, the celebrity chefs don’t justtalkabout food, they do some cooking, too. Garten shares her cherry pistachio biscotti and Irish coffee affogato recipes, which the pair enjoy while discussing their careers and friendship. Plus, Flay teaches Garten how to make his favorite pasta dish: fettuccine with anchovy butter and chives.

The latest episodes of Garten’s show mirror the format ofprevious seasons. The six-episode return will bring foodies and celebrities into Garten’s stunning home to eat and chat. In addition to Flay, guests includeJulia Louis-Dreyfus,Stephen Colbertand his wifeEvie McGee-Colbert,Wendell Pierce, Ann Patchett andEric Ripert.

Be My Guest with Ina Gartenpremieres Sunday, Sept. 29, at 12 p.m. ET/PT on Food Network.

source: people.com