What is Beat Bobby Flay about?

Two talented chefs go head-to-head for the chance to Beat Bobby Flay. To get to Bobby the chefs must first face off against each other, creating a spectacular dish with a secret ingredient of Bobby's choice. Judges Alex Guarnaschelli and Jeff Mauro know Bobby's strengths and his weaknesses. Their...

Beat Bobby Flay

Name: Beat Bobby Flay
Genre: Reality
Released: 2013-08-24
Rating: 6.1
Cast: Bobby Flay

TV Show TV-G 2013 30m/ep 6.1 /10 Returning

A Food Network Original

Directed by Peter J. Babington, Matthew Bartley

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Streaming availability last verified: January 29, 2026

About Beat Bobby Flay

Two chefs get a single shot at beating Bobby Flay, but first they have to get past each other. They start in a quick, high-pressure round where a secret ingredient chosen by Bobby tests creativity and technique. Judges Alex Guarnaschelli and Jeff Mauro critique those initial plates and pick the stronger chef to move on. That winner then brings a surprise signature dish to the final cook-off against Bobby, who knows the kitchen and his strengths well. The payoff is simple: if the challenger wins, they get to claim the line, "I beat Bobby Flay!" The format keeps each episode self-contained and focused on skill under time pressure.

Released in 2013, the series was created by Bobby Flay and directed by Peter J. Babington and Matthew Bartley, developing into one of Food Network's notable competition programs.

The show has a recognizable hook and a quotable finish, and the phrase "I beat Bobby Flay!" has turned into a cheeky benchmark among food fans. Its head-to-head structure influenced other televised cook-offs and it's become a pop culture shorthand for culinary one-upmanship.

Critical and audience reaction has been mixed to positive, reflected in a 6.1/10 user vote average from available ratings. Reviewers tend to praise the straightforward contest mechanics and Bobby's on-camera presence, while noting the format prioritizes speed and showmanship as much as deep technique.

While Beat Bobby Flay hasn't been a major awards magnet, it's been a durable platform for guest chefs to gain exposure. The show's steady run helped reinforce Bobby Flay's TV persona and gave many contestants a visible stage that sometimes led to new opportunities in restaurants, publishing, and other media.

Details

Release Date: August 24, 2013
Episode Length: 30m
Rating: TV-G
User Ratings: 27 votes
Type: TV Series
Seasons: 42
Episodes: 529
Network: Food Network
Status: Returning Series
Genres: Reality
Country: United States
Studio: Rock Shrimp Productions +1 more
External Links: View on IMDB

Official Trailer

Cast

Bobby Flay

Himself

Director: Peter J. Babington, Matthew Bartley

Created by: Bobby Flay

Seasons (42 seasons, 529 episodes)

Season 1

9 episodes - 2013

Season 2

13 episodes - 2014

Season 3

13 episodes - 2014

Season 4

13 episodes - 2015

Season 5

13 episodes - 2015

Season 6

13 episodes - 2015

Season 7

7 episodes - 2015

Season 8

13 episodes - 2016

Season 9

13 episodes - 2016

Season 10

13 episodes - 2016

Season 11

13 episodes - 2017

Season 12

13 episodes - 2017

Season 13

13 episodes - 2017

Season 14

13 episodes - 2017

Season 15

13 episodes - 2017

Season 16

12 episodes - 2018

Season 17

14 episodes - 2018

Season 18

13 episodes - 2018

Season 19

13 episodes - 2019

Season 20

13 episodes - 2019

Season 21

9 episodes - 2019

Season 22

11 episodes - 2019

Season 23

12 episodes - 2019

Season 24

13 episodes - 2020

Season 25

17 episodes - 2020

Season 26

19 episodes - 2020

Season 27

9 episodes - 2021

Season 28

14 episodes - 2021

Season 29

16 episodes - 2022

Season 30

15 episodes - 2022

Season 31

7 episodes - 2022

Season 32

17 episodes - 2022

Season 33

22 episodes - 2023

Season 34

8 episodes - 2023

Season 35

14 episodes - 2024

Season 36

13 episodes - 2024

Season 37

6 episodes - 2024

Season 38

13 episodes - 2024

Season 39

12 episodes - 2025

Season 40

11 episodes - 2025

Season 41

6 episodes - 2025

Season 42

5 episodes - 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Beat Bobby Flay is available to stream on Netflix, Max, and Hulu. You can also rent or buy it on Apple iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, and Amazon Video.

Yes, Beat Bobby Flay is available to stream on Netflix.

Yes, you can buy on Apple iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, and Amazon Video.

Beat Bobby Flay has 42 seasons with a total of 529 episodes.

With a rating of 6.1/10 from 27 viewers, Beat Bobby Flay is considered decent by viewers and may be worth checking out.

Beat Bobby Flay stars Bobby Flay.

Beat Bobby Flay was created by Bobby Flay.

Beat Bobby Flay was released on August 24, 2013.

Beat Bobby Flay is a Reality series.

Two chefs face off in the first round using a secret ingredient chosen by Bobby; judges Alex Guarnaschelli and Jeff Mauro pick the winner. The winning chef then challenges Bobby with a surprise signature dish, and the judges decide whether Bobby or the challenger wins.

The show primarily features professional chefs, restaurant chefs, and culinary pros, though you may occasionally see rising chefs or well-known local cooks. It’s not focused on home-cook amateurs.

Alex Guarnaschelli and Jeff Mauro serve as the regular judges who evaluate the first-round battle and help decide the final outcome. The show also brings in rotating guest judges and celebrity chefs for many episodes.

Yes, challengers have beaten Bobby Flay multiple times over the course of the series, and those upsets are a big part of the show’s appeal. Results vary episode to episode given how many seasons and episodes the show has run.