Guy Fieri Food was written by celebrity chef Guy Fieri and he was assisted by Ann Volkwein. Guy Fieri is a celebrity known around the world due to his appearances on TV. He is most well known for his appearances on Food Network. This cookbook was published in 2011, which was the perfect time to become involved in a television show. Technology and the media were, and still are, a very popular type of entertainment. Fieri’s success may have been assisted by the wide usage of television.

Guy Fieri also known as “the mayor of flavor town” or “Guido” is a celebrity chef. Guy Fieri’s love for food started young at the age of ten years old. He didn’t enjoy his parents cooking methods because they followed a “macrobiotic cooking-vegetarian, nondairy, whole grains, no red meat” (Guy Fieri, 2019) diet. He had to learn how to cook because that food simply did not appeal to a ten year old boy. At 10 years old, Fieri and his dad built a pretzel cart allowing Fieri to get some experience. During college, Fieri worked at many restaurants holding various roles which taught him a lot about the cooking industry.

Fieri and his partner Steve Gruber decided that they were going to open a restaurant together. They opened an Italian restaurant in California and they were shocked when it was an instant hit. He then opened two more locations and a different type of restaurant. Next came his involvement with television. He has appeared on television shows and he has been the star of three major food network shows. He is an unusual culinary icon because of “his trademark spicy hair, tattoos, bowling shirt, and skateboarder shorts” (Guy Fieri, 2019). Fieri’s mom describes him as a “bundle of energy” (Fieri, 2011, p. 8).

This cookbook is intended for a wide range of people including beginner chefs, experienced chefs, and children. In the cookbook, he lists out the top ten rules of cooking with him. One that really stands out is the rule that states “just cook” (Fieri, 2011, p. 30). He states that no one should be intimidated cooking with him as long as they “learn, listen, and be proactive” (Fieri, 2011, p. 30). He encourages people to ask questions if they are unsure of what to do. He also has a whole section for kids. It is evident that Fieri understands his audiences as he explains foods they should have in the pantry, tools they need, and the detailed step by step instructions.

His instructions allow just about anyone to follow but the ingredients and materials needed may be pointing more to middle or upper class people. A lot of his ingredients can be seen as costly, especially since he makes just about everything from scratch. He believes anything that can be made from scratch should be. He encourages readers to have premium knives, cast iron pans, and a spice grinder which could be a costly investment. He believes he doesn’t use fancy tools but he definitely uses costly tools. He is a special tool for just about every food imaginable. He sometimes forgets that not everyone will have the same resources he has available. It is evident that Fieri is an upper class white male but he does a good job being inclusive with his rhetoric for the most part. Having a female assist him in the writing may have helped him write towards a diverse crowd.

In his recipe for Rojo Onion Rings he states “these bad boys have been rockin’ the menu” (Fieri, 2011, p. 70). He does a pretty good job of not framing everything towards males but sometimes it seems as if males are a suggested audience. A lot of times when describing recipes he says “dude”, “bro”, or “boys”. When describing his grilled chicken tortellini soup he wrote “this bad boy is stocked full of flavor” (Fieri, 2011, p. 103). This is unintentional but it just represents the rhetoric he uses and his own personality.

He really enjoys cooking Japanese Cuisine which brings in a Japanese audience as well. Culture is defined as a set of norms, beliefs, and values shared by a group of people. He is very culturally aware and is willing to learn different methods and recipes. This is a very interesting foodway because most sushi chefs are Japanese. He learns the best techniques and prides himself on his sushi. He is very open and inclusive to all sorts of cuisine. Before college, Fieri traveled to France to learn the French method of cooking. He also brings in different cultural recipes from across the United States. He has various restaurant types including steakhouses, Italian, Spanish, barbecue, and a burger bar.  His barbecue and Mexican food restaurants serve as a foodway to southern areas in the United States. Fieri has an interesting cuisine himself because of the wide range of foods he enjoys cooking. He has so many food options that just about anyone could find something that they enjoy. He gives a miniature story around every recipe which makes a reader willing to try it. He talks about where he found it, what makes it different, and why it’s so good.

This cookbook helps us learn a lot more about Fieri’s identity. He talks very highly about his family, especially his wife, mother, and children. He holds a lot of respect for women and thanks his wife and mother for being so supportive. He even acknowledges them for teaching him different things and allowing him to have different experiences. It is evident Fieri is a simple man and likes to be straight to the point. He is very opinionated and believes in his food knowledge. Fieri shows that he is an upper class male through his lavish lifestyle and frequent travel. He isn’t too concerned about health as his prime focus is the flavor. He has a big emphasis on taste and tries to attract certain peoples preferred tastes. A big taste that he focuses on is spicy which some people enjoy and others can’t consume it. He has a big focus on gastronomy which is the art and science of fine eating with emphasis on gourmet foods and dining experiences. He focuses on gourmet food and the experience around the food people consume. He wants it to be a positive environment full of fun and laughter.

Sources:

13 Things You Didn’t Know About Guy Fieri. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.pinterest.com/pin/640355640755915417/?lp=true

 

Eats, S. (n.d.). Big Bud’s Beer Can Chicken Recipe. Retrieved from https://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2011/06/big-buds-beer-can-chicken-recipe.html

 

Guy Fieri. (2019, April 10). Retrieved from https://www.biography.com/people/guy-fieri-20688753

 

Guy Fieri’s Top Recipes. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.foodnetwork.com/profiles/talent/guy-fieri/guy-fieris-top-recipes

 

Fieri, G., & Volkwein, A. (2011). Guy Fieri food. New York: William Morrow.

 

Redford, G. D. (n.d.). Guy Fieri Recipes for New Year’s Eve. Retrieved from https://www.aarp.org/food/recipes/info-12-2013/guy-fieri-recipes.html

 

Woolf, J. (2017, October 12). Guy Fieri Hates the One Thing You Most Associate with Guy Fieri. Retrieved from https://www.gq.com/story/guy-fieri-hates-the-shirt-you-most-associate-with-guy-fieri