Ubiquitous celebrity chef Bobby Flay dishes on his busy schedule, embarrassing moments, and the newest season of The Next Food Network Star.

[dl] Television

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OVER THE PAST DECADE, food has become big business, thanks in part to the growing popularity of cooking shows such as Top Chef and Hell’s Kitchen and to the rise of the celebrity chef. One of the key figures in this culinary ascendancy is Bobby Flay, the New York native who’s made a name for himself with his twists on Southwestern and, more recently, Spanish cuisines. Flay owns six restaurant concepts in the United States and the Caribbean and has released eight cookbooks. His verve and passion make him a natural for television, and since 1994, he has hosted eight shows, five of which still air on the Food Network. (Throwdown! with Bobby Flay and Boy Meets Grill are among the most popular.) Without a doubt, the guy has earned his stripes.

That’s why on the popular reality program The Next Food Network Star, Flay is happy to take it easy for once and let others do the hard work while he serves as a judge. The show, which debuted its fifth season earlier this month, features up-and-coming chefs from across the country going head-to-head for the chance to win their own cooking show. Flay says that this season’s crop of contestants is incredibly competitive, which makes for some must-see television.

“I was surprised every week by what transpired -- by what they made, how they worked alongside each other, or, sometimes, how they didn’t work alongside each other,” he says. “There is definitely a whole bunch of drama and lots of good food.”

Flay feels the show is more appealing than some similar programs because of the chance it offers its contestants. “Somebody actually gets a chance for a new career, not just a check or a title,” he explains. “You’re going to get six 30-minute programs and a chance to prove yourself on one of the most popular networks out there.”