Fieri Demoed Techniques and Talked to Students About His Start in the Industry

Sacramento, Calif. – Guy Fieri of Guy’s Big Bite on the Food Network and member of the California Restaurant Association (CRA) today hosted a culinary event at San Juan High School for the area’s ProStart® schools and culinary students from American River College. Fieri prepared food in a live demonstration for more than 500 students and answered questions about the industry and his personal road to success.

“This is a great opportunity for students in the ProStart® program to not only see a professional chef at work, but also learn from his stories and life experiences,” said Stella Premo, Executive Director of the California Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (CRAEF). “Seeing Guy, hearing how he started and where he is now gives these students inspiration to follow their dreams and pursue careers in foodservice or hospitality.”

Fieri began his career in foodservice at the age of ten, selling soft pretzels in his three-wheeled bicycle cart that he built with his father. He worked his way up through culinary training and hands-on restaurant work, eventually opening his own restaurant in Santa Rosa called Johnny Garlic’s in 1996. Since then, he’s opened two more locations and a catering division. He’s also opened Tex Wasabi’s, a sushi and southern style barbecue concept and a Russell Ramsay’s Chop House, a blend of California cuisine and full flavored food wrapped up in a steak and chop house. He is currently planning on opening the largest location, Tex Wasabi’s in Sacramento, next month.

“It’s great to see all of these kids out here excited about foodservice and the restaurant industry,” said Fieri. “I am so glad that to have worked with CRAEF and the ProStart® schools to make this event happen for these students, they are the future of our industry.”