Our Founder Guy Fieri
“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.”