GUY R. FIERI

Johnny Garlic’s Inc
Chief Operating Officer
5 unit company: Jonny Garlic’s, Tex Wasabi’s, Russell Ramsay’s Chop House

National Restaurant Association
Serve Safe Instructor

California Restaurant Association
Board of Director / Educational Foundation

Restaurant of Redwood Empire
Past President 2000-2003

University of Nevada Las Vegas
Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management 1990

Guy Fieri began his career in foodservice at the age of ten, Selling soft pretzels in his 3 wheeled bicycle cart that he built with his father. The “Awesome Pretzel” as it was known by in his community of Humboldt County was seen at almost every community event. While washing dishes and selling pretzels, Guy was able to earn enough money in 6 years to sponsor himself to study abroad in France.

While in France he gained his true appreciation for food and culture. Upon returning to the United States he decided at the age of 17 to forego his senior year of high school and begin Junior College. While attending college he held various positions from Flambe Captain to Maire’d Guy attended University of Nevada Las Vegas in 1987 and worked as a plant supervisor for a meat distribution supplier. Upon graduating in 1990 with a Bachelors degree in Hospitality Management, he was recruited by Stouffer restaurants to manage their flagship restaurant in Long Beach California.

After 3 years with Stouffers he was recruited by a 7 restaurant unit, Louise’s Trattoria, as a General Manager. There he was promoted to District Manager of 6 restaurants and was in charge of recruiting and training for the growing chain.

In 1996, Guy and fellow District Manager Steven Gruber, left Louise's to embark on their own concept, Johnny Garlic’s. Guy and Steve opened their first Johnny Garlic’s in the fall of 1995. They opened 2 more locations within the next 3 years and them opened their catering division in 2001. Their most recent ventures, Tex Wasibi’s, a sushi and southern style BBQ concept opened in the fall of 2003, and Russell Ramsay’s Chop House opened in the spring of 2004. They are currently planning on opening their largest location, a Tex Wasabi’s in Sacramento early in 2007.

In the Fall of 2006, Guy entered The Next Food Network Star on the Food Network and was selected to be one of eight finalists out of 10,000 entrants. He won the contest and, based on favorable feedback, went on to do six cooking shows called Guy’s Big Bite which ran during the summer of 2006/ In the Fall of 2006, Guy starred in Gotta Get it which highlighted kitchen gadgets and received high ratings. Soon after, he starred in a food Network production called Diners, Drive-ins and Dives which was also an immediate success. Also, in the Fall, Guy filmed thirteen more episodes of Guy’s Big Bite which will air starting Jan 14,2007. on top of all this, Guy is working on a cookbook and is doing numerous personal appearances at various events, such as the Portland Home Show. In the Spring, Guy will be filming thirteen more episodes of his cooking show.

During this time Guy has been a 3 term President of the Restaurant Association of the Redwood Empire, and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Educational Foundation of the California Restauurant Association. Guy is a national culinary competition judge and competes on a professional BBQ team. Guy and Lori have two sons, Hunter and Ryder, and live in Northern California.