Our Founder Guy Fieri

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“One of the greatest ways to get to somebody, or to help is through food—you’ve got to have the feeling of giving back, everybody should be doing this”

— Guy Fieri

 

Chef, restaurateur, New York Times Best Selling author and Emmy Award-winning TV host, Guy Fieri, is one of the world’s most recognizable and influential culinary stars. In 2019, Guy received a star on the celebrated Hollywood Walk Fame, a rare feat for a chef.

Guy began his love affair with food at the age of ten, selling soft pretzels from a three-wheeled bicycle cart he built with his father called “The Awesome Pretzel.” After selling pretzels and washing dishes for six years, Guy earned enough money to pursue his dream of studying abroad in Chantilly, France, where he gained a profound appreciation for international cuisines and further strengthened his passion for food. He returned to the US and graduated from the University of Nevada Las Vegas with a degree in Hospitality Management. Upon his graduation, Guy jumped headfirst into the restaurant business, ultimately opening his own casual dining concepts in Northern California.

In 2006, Guy won Food Network’s popular television competition show, “Next Food Network Star” and was awarded his own series, the Emmy nominated “Guy’s Big Bite.” Since that time, Guy has taken food television by storm as host of top-rated TV shows including the iconic, Emmy-nominated “Diners, Drive Ins & Dives,” “Guy’s Grocery Games,” “Tournament of Champions" and “Guy’s Ranch Kitchen.”

Additionally, Guy and his team at Knuckle Sandwich, LLC, have created a thriving food and beverage empire. He recently launched Flavortown Kitchen, a 175 location virtual brand to complement his eighty plus scratch kitchen restaurant concepts worldwide. In addition, he’s partnered with legendary rocker and spirits pioneer, Sammy Hagar in Santo Tequila. On land and at sea, from the Las Vegas Strip to the Atlantic City Boardwalk, from South Africa to Colombia and from Costa Rica to Dubai, Guy’s culinary and spirits creations are enjoyed globally, every day.

Guy believes that giving back is one of the most important things you can do. "I was raised, that you always help your community and you always help people that need help, and you participate You got to be an active member.”

 

Brian Daly

Executive Director

As Executive Director of the Guy Fieri Foundation, Brian brings his passion for helping others and inspiring our youth to better our communities.

Responsible for overseeing all facets of the organization, Brian drives the mission, fundraising, operations, and engagement with our donors, volunteers, and community partners. He has worked to expand the awareness and reach of the Foundation to communities around the country. 

As a son of a police officer and a nurse, his connection to supporting our community heroes has become his true passion. First Responders and our Veterans and Active Military are some of the most important aspects of our Mission and honoring them not only in a time of need and disasters, but feels it is something we should be doing every day. He believes that the children in our community today will help shape the communities of tomorrow by giving them an opportunity to learn through Literacy Programs, Culinary Programs, and providing funding and scholarships is the best way to help prepare our youth for the future.

Brian is a strong leader who continues to make an impact by sharing the Mission and Vision of the Guy Fieri Foundation with everyone he comes in contact with. He believes that partnering up with other nonprofits is the key to expanding our awareness and supporting other organizations. When we work with other organizations, we are “Better Together.”

Tammy Berry

Executive Assistant

The Guy Fieri Foundation embodies the values that matter most to me-community, compassion, and giving back. Working with the foundation allows me to actively support its mission of improving lives, lifting communities, and spreading kindness through heartfelt initiatives. 

Before working with the foundation, one of the most impactful experiences I've had was helping Guy and our friends during the wildfires, where we provided hot meals to hardworking firefighters who were tirelessly battling the flames. Witnessing the strength and dedication of these heroes and being able to contribute in a meaningful way was fulfilling to my soul. 

The foundation's commitment to making a difference aligns with my own passion for service, making it a truly rewarding organization to be part of.

Before joining the Guy Fieri Foundation, I spent years volunteering with various organizations, strengthening my skills and deepening my dedication to philanthropy

Organizing fundraising events to help friends and support causes like St. Jude Children's Research Hospital has been a significant part of my journey. The energy and collaboration involved in coordinating these events have shown me the power of community coming together for a greater good. 

With the foundation, l have found a place to channel my experience and drive into larger efforts that touch even more lives. The camaraderie, purpose, and impact I've experienced through my work here inspires me every day.

Kenny Nadeau

Culinary Operations East

What started with cooking Competition BBQ on the Competition BBQ Circuit, led to opening a BBQ Restaurant for 12 Years. Kenny’s Passion for cooking for others continued to grow. Enjoyed seeing customers enjoying different recipes and creation his love for food continued to grow. 

Kenny continued to give back in his communities to help unfortunate people. In 2012 he met the Founders of OBR at a BBQ Competition and learned about their mission helping people after major storms. In 2016 Kenny was deployed on his 1st Deployment to Nitro West Virgina helping the flood Victims. Kenny continued to help OBR over the Years. In 2021 he was introduced to the Guy Fieri Foundation where he learned about our Mission.  

Getting the opportunity to work with the Foundation in March of 2025 and learn more about our Mission, Kenny decided to join the team on the East Coast to help expand awareness of the Guy Fieri Foundation.

Kenny is responsible for setting up for events and preparing menus, working with volunteers and community partners as well as expanding the awareness and reach of the Foundation to communities around the Country.

Randy Williams

Culinary Operations West

Randy is no stranger to the dedication of public service. Randy joins us with over 31 years of service as a Patrol Sergeant with the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office. 

He now proudly supports the mission of the Foundation, fully embracing its motto, "serving those who serve us".

In 2017, Randy played a key role in managing evacuations and response personnel for the Tubbs Fire, tragically losing his own home in the process; an experience that deepened his respect for the toll natural disasters take on first responders and the community.

A lifelong advocate for community service, Randy has volunteered as a 4-H Cooking Leader, coached youth sports and prepared meals for numerous local events.

His passion for BBQ led him to build a mobile BBQ trailer with a friend's welding expertise, launching over 15 years of mobile catering and BBQ competitions.

Randy is committed to recognizing and supporting those who serve, believing that providing nourishment is a meaningful way to express appreciation for their sacrifices and affirm their importance to the community and our country.

Board of Advisors

Chef Aaron May

An acclaimed American chef and restaurateur known for his bold, flavorful cuisine and dynamic presence in the culinary world.

“Could not be more pleased to accept your invitation to join the advisory board, and the foundations mission is surely to be admired, let me know what you need from me, but count me in!”

Adam Housley

A 21-year career in journalism. He is an Emmy, AP, and RTNDA award-winning journalist, covering major international events for television news.

After stepping away from the news industry Adam returned to Napa Valley to expand the family wine business. Adam’s dedication to his community includes MCing community events and coaching youth baseball and soccer.

Brian Lando

CEO, LANDO ENTERTAINMENT

With almost 20 years of experience in development and programming, Lando launched his production company, Lando Entertainment, in partnership with Levity Entertainment Group in 2016

served as the Senior Vice President of Development at Scripps Networks, where he was tasked with developing shows for Food Network, HGTV, Travel Channel, Cooking Channel, DIY, and GAC

Shelby Joy Scarbrough

Author | Speaker | Entrepreneur

Shelby brings a lifetime of leadership, entrepreneurship.

Her lifelong commitment to civility, diplomacy, and purposeful leadership—values that align beautifully with the Guy Fieri Foundation’s mission to inspire purpose through service and bring people together through food, family, and community

Mark Lewis

An award-winning media executive, entrepreneur, and industry innovator with more than three decades of impact across the food, beverage, and hospitality sectors.

Michael’s commitment to giving back, coupled with his leadership across media, brand building, and philanthropy, makes him a powerful advocate for the Foundation and its nationwide impact.

Mark is a seasoned executive with more than 25 years of experience integrating large-scale philanthropic fundraising, digital transformation, and strategic marketing.

“Thank you, Guy Fieri, Board and Foundation Team, for allowing me to join you in support of the first responders, veterans, active service members and heroes, who sacrifice to make the USA, the greatest country in the world.”

Michael Politz