'Restaurant: Impossible' Host Robert Irvine Joined Miami's First Fleet Week

Although widely recognized as a chef and host of “Restaurant: Impossible,” Robert Irvine is also a committed philanthropist and advocate for our nation’s military. 

As a veteran himself, Irvine recently enjoyed attending Miami's inaugural Fleet Week and shared his experience with The Blast exclusively.

On May 8th, Irvine joined the USS Bataan and the USS Normandy at the invitation of the United States Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard for Miami's inaugural Fleet Week.

“First of all, it’s amazing to take the most powerful navy in the world to a nautical city, which is a base of operations for so many cruise lines, and to show off the USS Bataan and the USS Normandy to the young folks of Miami,” Irvine told The Blast. 

“We have Fleet Week in LA and New York, but never before in Miami. We have such a great recruitment pool there, why we’d never done it there was crazy to me.”

Irvine used to work on cruise ships and got the opportunity to take culinary specialists from the Marines and Navy onto a Norwegian Cruise Lines shop and show them how food operation for 7,000 people, seven meals a day works.

“You know, a lot of our ships may have modern technology on top - guidance and weapons systems - but below deck, we’re still working with 1940s technology,” he said. “To be able to show a four-star admiral what a civilian ship is working with below deck was, I think, eye-opening for him.” 

For Irvine, who was in the Navy, being aboard the USS Bataan and USS Normandy took him “back to his youth.” 

“I’m a Navy guy and I’ve worked on warships and carriers, so for me, spending time with the men and women on board, it really takes me back to my youth. And to show the young kids of Miami what a great Navy and great leadership we have was great," he shared. 

"Anytime we can highlight that we should; it’s not just the recognition they deserve, but I think most people don’t realize they’re not just there to serve during wartime, but they’re there to prevent war. Their readiness keeps our foes away."

In 2014, Irvine founded the Robert Irvine Foundation to support service members, veterans, first responders, and their families through programs focused on food, wellness, community, and financial support.

As a veteran himself, Irvine views his work with the foundation as his true calling, dedicating over 100 days each year to visiting military bases for the USO to boost morale, engaging with service members, veterans, and first responders, and fundraising for the Foundation's initiatives.   

"We're always on the move; Breaking Bread With Heroes is a big program we have where we cook up a feast for all veterans of all generations, either at a community center or a VFW or a homeless shelter. These veterans, no matter the age difference, have so much in common, and the food is a way in; it's disarming and real bonds are made over the table as these men and women open up and share their difficulties, triumphs, and traumas," he told The Blast.

“When we’re not doing that, we’re always raising money, which can help us buy mobility devices for disabled veterans, train service dogs, or renovate veteran shelters or homes.”

Irvine’s foundation has several annual events and fundraisers. On June 21, there will be a golf tournament in San Antonio, and then on September 30, Red Wine and Blues, a three-course food and wine pairing in Pentagon City takes place.

“Then we have Beats N Eats, which pairs live music, including the band O.A.R., with each course, which is cooked up by a different celebrity chef. That’s in Philadelphia on November 4 this year,” he said.

“I’m very excited too that we’ll be doing a Breaking Bread With Heroes at Red Rocks on August 18. That will take place in conjunction with an O.A.R. concert, and right now through Alltroo, every donation you make to the Robert Irvine Foundation earns you a chance to fly to Colorado for a VIP experience through the whole event.” 

With Memorial Day just days away, it’s important to remember the meaning behind the day. While a lot of people signify the holiday with BBQs, a day off to relax, and the unofficial start to the summer season, we can't forget the real reason for the holiday.

“I want people to enjoy the holiday and kick back with a beer and barbecue, but if that’s all you’re doing, then I think you’re doing it wrong,” he said.

“Memorial Day is, at its heart, a somber occasion. Remember, all gave some, but some gave all. The ultimate sacrifice of giving your life for your country. We owe our thoughts and a moment of silence to all the men and women who have done that over the past 250 years. There’s been far too many.”

Irvine keeps a busy schedule year-round running multiple companies and restaurants and working with his foundation. He also travels more than 300 days a year.

And while “Restaurant: Impossible” is done, he said another show is inevitable. In fact, he revealed, “It’s coming, but I’m not allowed to say where or when just yet.” 

As far as future endeavors with his foundation, he hopes to do “more.”

“Sometimes in certain situations less is more, but when it comes to how much we can do for our men and women in uniform, more is more,” he said.

"In fact, there’s never enough. So the more we can build out the foundation, the more people we can reach, lives we can change for the better, and so on.” 

For more information on the Robert Irvine Foundation, visit their website.