Interview with Chef Bobby Flay about Bobby Flay Steak, the 5th Burger Palace and the Obamas

On November 7th the Borgata Hotel, Spa & Casino hosted an event called Savor Borgata: An Exclusive Evening with Borgata's Stellar Lineup of Award-winning Chefs. The event was a huge draw, allowing patrons to sample cuisine by the celebrity chefs that take residence at the hotel.

I was able to grab a minute with Chef Bobby Flay before he had to rush down and prepare his dish for the event (Surf and Turf Skewers with Red Pepper Vinaigrette and Honey Mustard Mint). See the slideshow below for some pictures from the event.

We talked about Bobby Flay Steak, the Iron Chef America episode starring First Lady Michelle Obama (which airs January 3rd), the next location of Bobby's Burger Palace & more...

Charles Thorp: You wanted to do a steak restaurant for awhile before Bobby Flay Steak landed here at the Borgata. What made Atlantic City the right space?

Chef Bobby Flay: I think that Atlantic City was in need of a great steak restaurant, but first and foremost I consider Bobby Flay Steak a surf and turf restaurant. Lots of lobster, lots of steak. What we're trying to accomplish is getting surf and turf on every table. If you remember Atlantic City in it's original hayday, before all the gambling, when it was just a place that people would come for vacation. They had the beach, salt-water taffy and everything. Back then all the restaurants along the water served their version of surf and turf. Obviously at Bobby Flay Steak we're doing a much more contemporary version of that. Whenever I do a restaurant I think about the location and sense of place.

CT: So were you surprised when you heard that First Lady Michelle Obama agreed to participate in a taping of Iron Chef America? How did you find out?

Flay: The good people at Food Network called and told me. I was surpised but I wasn't surprised. We all know that the First Lady has a message that she wants to get out there about healthier eating and she knows that Food Network is a great vehicle for her to do that.

CT: How did you make the decision to pick White House Executive Chef Cristeta Comerford over Chef Emeril Lagasse for the Iron Chef Battle?

Flay: I have a great relationship with Chef Comerford, which is why I picked her as my partner. She's the White House chef and she works often with their garden, which was our secret ingredient. She was also incredibly gracious when she hosted me for the Father's Day event (where Flay grilled with President Obama) awhile ago. 

CT: I heard that Mrs. Obama loved having you there. Any talks of a return visit anytime soon?

Flay: I've been to the White House many times, but it is always a pleasure. Whenever they call I'll be happy to head over. I did let them know that if they ever have an Ireland state event I would love to cook everyone a nice Irish dinner. I'm not from Ireland but that's my heritage, but really anything the White House wants me to do I will.

CT: So a lot of people out there are awaiting the location of the 5th Bobby's Burger Palace, can you tell us where it's going to be?

Flay: Hmmm...maybe...let me run it by my business partner because we made an offer on a location and think it's going to be accepted! Don't go anywhere...

(At this point Chef Flay ran off to find his business partner, leaving me with the lovely Willie Norkin of the Susan Magrino Agency. We both smiled at each other at the idea of Bobby telling me not to go anywhere while trying to get me an exclusive. Had he stayed a moment longer I would have assured him that it was more than unlikely.)

Flay: OK, I'll come close because it's not actually signed but we're pretty sure we're going to get it. All I can tell you is the next one is going to be in the state of Pennsylvania on the grounds of a university.

On November 18th the popular TV chef opened his 10th operating restaurant, a second Bar Americain, at Connecticut's Mohegan Sun. And since managing that in addition to his Borgata restaurant means more time near the casino we asked Chef Flay his game of choice. “I like to play craps." How do you do? Bobby laughed and said, "I lose. How does anybody do?

Bobby Flay Steak is part of The Borgata's Fine Dining Collection and located at One Borgata Way, Atlantic City, NJ. The ACES train makes traveling from Manhattan a convenient and altogether pleasant experience. For more information on The Borgata or to book a reservation visit their website here or call (800) 800-8817.

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You can email the author of this post at charlesnthorp@gmail.com.