
Born October 9, 1964 lived in long island NY • Dropped out of high school, started his culinary career at 17. • After working at the famed theatre district haunt, Joe Allen's restaurant he realized he wanted to work in the food business. • Later convinced to go to college by his boss who helped financially. Also his fathers love for good food influenced him. • He attended French culinary institute and graduated in 1984.
After graduation took a job as a sous chef • Then was handed a job as a executive chef at Brighton Grill and only lasted a short time because there was many problems. • Flay ended up being a chef at Buds and Jams in downtown NYC owned by Jonathan Waxman
Restaurant owner Jerome Kretchmer came to Flay about working in Mesa grill • Southwestern menu • Later them became business partners