Most of us think of chef Bobby Flay as a highly talented and accomplished Food Network star. From Beat Bobby Flay to Iron Chef to Chopped, we've seen him cook up a storm in all conditions and seemingly effortless destroy his culinary competition. However, it turns out that the food celebrity also has a sweet side, which is on full display with his new girlfriend Christina Pérez.
How Did Bobby Flay Meet His Girlfriend?
The celebrity chef met his newest beau through mutual friends. He mentioned his relationship for the first time in September of last year on Today. During the segment, he was preparing vegetarian chili and casually mentioned that his girlfriend doesn't eat meat. Past this tidbit, he remained mysterious and didn't share more about his love life with the host.
Also in September, Christina shared a pic on her social media account of the two of them enjoying each other's company in Italy. Then, in November 2021, the pair made their relationship public at the Breeders' Cup World Championship. Flay's horse, Pizza Bianca, won the race, and he brought Christina with him to accept the trophy and pose for pictures.
The couple continued to make their sweet relationship known, and in December Pérez made an Instagram story of the two of them making Empanada Asturiana, a family recipe of hers from northwest Spain.
The restaurateur is enjoying their time in the kitchen and outdoors, saying "she's teaching me to cook with a lot less meat. And now all of a sudden I'm a big hiker. I'm learning a little of the Zen California way."
Pérez also posted on her Instagram for the celebrity chef's birthday in December, captioning the photo "Happy birthday to the man who keeps me laughing and makes my life more delicious and sparkly than I could ever have imagined. Love you x million @bobbyflay."
The couple has been more public as of late, and Bobby shared a pic of Christina on his Instagram in March. More recently, they appeared together as a happy couple at the premier of The Offer in New York City on April 24th.
Who is Christina Pérez?
Along with being Bobby Flay's girlfriend, Pérez is an accomplished writer. She's currently the creative director of Miss Grass, which sells THC and CBD products. In the past, she's contributed to Glamour, Vogue and Lucky, along with being published in Harper's Bazaar, GQ, Condé Nast Traveler, and more.
Bobby Flay isn't the only one who's warmed to Pérez. The celebrity chef has shared that his daughter Sophie is a fan as well. Sophie, who he had with his ex-wife Kate Connelly, approves whole-heartedly, and Flay couldn't be more pleased. "Sophie is a giant fan of Christina and vice versa. The two most important girls in my life like each other and have a good relationship — there's nothing better for me."
As Flay told PEOPLE at the end of last year, "She's so lovely. I'm really happy to have met her. My life is so crazy hectic, and she's always the light at the end of the day for me."