Guy Fieri Opens Up On His Philanthropy: 'I Haven't Changed'
By Kristin Myers on September 7, 2022 at 1:45 PM EDT
Food Network star Guy Fieri is not just a beloved TV host, but a restauranteur and author as well.
When the popular host of "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives" recently sat down for an interview with PEOPLE, the 54-year-old “Mayor of Flavortown” dished on what he is like now, and he insists he hasn’t changed from when he was first getting started in the industry.
Guy Fieri Reflects On His Rise To Fame: ‘I Still Like To Have Fun’
Although he told the publication that he has “definitely mellowed” over the years, he confessed, “I still like to have fun, still stay busy,” adding, “There are so many experiences to be had, so why not take advantage of it?”
In May 2021, the “Guy’s Ultimate Game Night” host signed a three-year contract with the Food Network. It’s reportedly worth $80 million dollars, making him the highest-paid TV chef in the network’s history.
With six different shows under his belt, fans would think that Guy is busy enough, but, according to PEOPLE, he also runs 85 restaurants, a production company, his Santo Tequila business with Sammy Hagar, and his new Knuckle Sandwich by Espinosa cigar line.
"Most of my friends will [say] I haven't changed. I think it's because when I got into television, I'd already done what I wanted to do. I wanted to be a great dad," Fieri said. Guy married his wife, Lori Fieri, 52, in 1995. They have sons Hunter, 26, Ryder, 16, and raise nephew Jules, 22, after his sister Morgan died from melanoma in 2011.
Guy Fieri Feed 650 First Responders In A Charity Event
Recently, Guy hosted a first-responder event in Ferndale, California, where he revealed they fed 650 people and “shot a show about it.” He explained, “The area up there is poor, so we try to do things to preserve the town.”
His son Hunter, who recently signed his own talent contract with the Food Network, praised his father for “always leading by example,” adding, "Seeing how much he cares and how, even though he is so busy all the time, he focuses a lot of effort on doing fundraisers … it's eye-opening to me."
Although many of his restaurants closed during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in 2020, Guy launched the Restaurant Employee Relief Fund and raised over $25 million dollars to help struggling hospitality workers make end meet.
"If you're the guy that owns the shovel, why wouldn't you help dig the hole?" Guy asked. "I want to make a positive impact. When it's all over, I just hope people say, 'Guy was good for mankind. Guy helped.'”
Antonia Lofaso Has Nothing But Positive Things To Say About Guy
Antonia Lofaso, “Guy’s Ultimate Game Night” cohost, had nothing but positive things to say about Guy and his history of philanthropy.
"Even before any of the stuff he did for restaurants, he did everything he possibly could to give back," Lofaso revealed. "For instance, there was never a show of his that didn't have a Make-a-Wish family in the audience."
His famous friends agree, especially Kristen Stewart, who asked him to officiate her wedding to Dylan Meyer in 2021.
"I'm so down to do it. I think it's awesome. I did a wedding for 101 gay couples in South Beach a few years ago," Fieri told the publication. "I've always looked at it like if people want to have that marriage, whose choice is that but theirs? I'm not marching for equal rights. I'm not getting that deep with it. I'm just saying, two people in love, they can do what they want to do."
Guy Reveals He’s Changed His ‘Lifestyle’ Over The Years
Although the “Guy’s Grocery Games” host joked that “Everybody thinks I chug down the whole cheeseburger,” he revealed that he actually eats a lot more modestly. "I'll try two items in a restaurant, three restaurants in a day,” he said. “By the time I've had two bites of each food, I'm full."
He’s worked with a nutritionist to change his “lifestyle” and has cut out most carbs and meat almost completely out of his diet. He also practices intermittent fasting, revealing that he doesn’t eat until noon. “At first I was worried it would make me sluggish, but my body learned the routine, and my energy increased,” he said.
"I've changed my lifestyle in the last couple of years—what I eat, when I eat, how I eat. I don't want to be one of those guys that burns up through the tunnel," he said, adding that he wakes up to work out at 6 AM and has stopped drinking alcohol on the weekdays.
"I'm in better shape now than I was when I was 30. I don't want to die young,” he added. “I want to be around for my kids. I want to be around for Hunter and Ryder's kids."
