Bobby Flay, Who Played Himself on Entourage Once, Is Getting a Hollywood Walk of Fame Star

It's the first for a culinary television personality.

Here's proof that food has entered all facets of American culture, including the fame monster of Hollywood: New York City native, Iron Chef, and Food Network mainstay Bobby Flay is about to become the first chef to get his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. According to a release, the 2553rd star in the category of Television will be unveiled during a ceremony on June 2.

In true Hollywood fashion, the President and CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, Leron Gubler will emcee the unveiling ceremony and a crew of familiar faces will speak at the event, including: co-host of The Chew and fellow Iron Chef Michael Symon; Brooke Johnson, President of Food Network & Cooking Channel; and Flay's daughter Sophie Flay.

Bobby Flay's star will be installed on the sidewalk near 6141 Hollywood Boulevard. Flay's nearest restaurant is in Las Vegas.

Gubler said in a release: "We are thrilled to honor our very first culinary star on our fabled Walk of Fame. Bobby Flay has entertained the masses with his culinary expertise and has opened the eyes of food lovers everywhere."

Flay has appeared on the Food Network since 1994 and though his career as a restaurateur has ebbed over the years, he remains owner of 22 restaurants, including Gato in New York City, Bobby Flay Steak in Las Vegas, and over a dozen locations of Bobby's Burger Palace. Flay is the recipient of four daytime Emmy awards and three James Beard Foundation Awards.

Additionally, Bobby Flay once played himself on an episode of Entourage and appeared in an episode of Law & Order: SVU. News of his impending divorce has recently filled gossip rags.

Still, some might find a Star on the Walk of Fame to be a bit much for Flay. Neither Wolfgang Puck nor Emeril, both of whom were pioneers in the cooking show as entertainment genre, have stars in Hollywood. The question now is, can Flay keep up celebrity appearances? Or will other food stars encroach upon his stardom? Time — and Hollywood — will tell.

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