Food Network Star rocks Disneyland

May 30th, 2009, 7:04 pm · 12 Comments · posted by Nancy Luna, Staff Writer

Sunday update: Find out where Guy Fieri secretly dined at Saturday night in O.C. Hint: It was no dive.

A husband-and-wife food fight. Havarti cheese flying in the air. Crank calls to celebrity chefs. Silver metallic sunglasses. And plenty of “dude” talk.

Guy had fans laughing all afternoon. This woman asked him what advice he'd give an aspiring chef. He said, "If the knife drips, let it."

Guy had fans laughing all afternoon. This woman asked him what advice he'd give an aspiring chef. He said, "If the knife drops, let it."

Mix those ingredients together and what do you get?

A live Guy Fieri food show with hundreds of screaming fans loving every antic this high-energy Food Network star has to offer.

“Some people have Brad Pitt. I have Guy Fieri,” said Nicole Vargas, 30.

The Corona resident was among nearly 200 people who attended a Saturday cooking show starring Fieri, host of Food Network’s most popular show, “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.” It was Fieri’s third appearance at Disney’s California Food & Wine festival, held at Disney’s California Adventure.

Each year, the event continues to grow — with record crowds coming to see celebrity chefs. But, today’s crowd was particularly fanatical, with some showing up as early as 5 a.m. to snag a seat.

For those who got in, Fieri did not disappoint. The high-octane event kicked off with the spiky-haired chef strutting in wearing a white chef’s coat. But, within seconds of hitting the stage, he ripped off the coat like a rock star.

Nicole Vargas, Ron & Leanne Anderson and Sylvia Santos met while waiting five hours in line to see Fieri. The Andersons of Fullerton were unexpectedly called up on stage by Fieri. (See photo below)

The move caused fans to jump to their feet, as the near strip-tease revealed the Fieri they all know and love: a California “dude” with plenty of tattoos and dressed in black Dickey’s shorts, a red and black tank top and flip flops.

“I really feel like an American Idol,” Fieri told the crowd after learning that some folks lined up before dawn to meet him.

After the high-octane show was over, Fieri said he was humbled by the loyalty of his fans — many of whom voted for him when he won “The Next Food Network Star” title in 2006.

“I’ve done these shows a lot and they’re taking on a much more rock concert feel,” Fieri told me back stage before heading out to sign autographs for the crowd. “I had an awesome time.”

And so did his fans.

“It was great fun and totally unexpected,” said Leanne Anderson. She and her husband, Ron, were tapped by Fieri to engage in a fun “squirt bottle” battle during the show.

(Read my Q&A with Guy Fieri earlier this week.)

Sunday 5/31 update: Find out where Guy Fieri secretly dined at Saturday night in O.C. Hint: It was no dive.

(The Food & Wine festival continues through June 7. Click here for full event schedule)

More pics below:

I met Guy after the show. He was very nice, and down to earth. Note: Ex-NFL football star Vince Ferragamo is background. He and Guy are buds.

I met Guy after the show. He was very nice, and down to earth. He reminded me of what Hunter S. Thompson would be like as a chef. He has several different thoughts going at once, but ties everything together into a nice story. (Ex-NFL football star Vince Ferragamo is in background. He and Guy are buds. Note: Vince and I have same taste in shirts)

One of two meals he made: spinach tostada

Food Fight between Fullerton couple.

Guy did actually cook a bit during the show.

Guy did cook a bit during the show.

Vince Ferragamo, a buddy of Guy Fieri, watches the show.

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LEXUSRY says:

May 30, 2009 at 10:37 pm

JUST BECAUSE HE IS POPULAR DOES NOT MEAN HIS FOOD IS HEALTHY. IF YOU EAT LIKE HIM, EXPECT HEARTACHE COMING SOON AND SKYROCKET MEDICAL BILLS

Post Reply

Santa Clarita Asskicker says:

May 30, 2009 at 10:59 pm

Lexusry! Relax! Live alittle! Wash your burger and fries down with some Merlot! Some excercise probably wouldn’t help either! Guy Fieri is awesome! By the way doctor food isn’t the only reason people get heart disease! Anal retentive stress mongers take the big dirt nap too! If I were you I would reduce your stress!!!

Post Reply

GUYLOVER says:

May 31, 2009 at 12:18 am

LEXUSRY……..WOW who are you to down Guy’s cooking? Are you are doctor or what?? You must not watch his shows. He does cook healthy plates also. He has a few restaurants and several shows. What do you have? Well you have your opinion which is yours! Guy is very talented and down to earth and I wish him many more years on the Food Network to irritate you some more!!!! Get a Life!

Martha says:

May 31, 2009 at 1:26 am

i was soo there today!!! And i got to see one of my favorite chefs live!!! He was sooo Awesome!!!

dan says:

May 31, 2009 at 7:11 am

And now, seriously check out FoodNetworkHumor.com for a laugh. They love Guy Fieri.

Michelle M. says:

May 31, 2009 at 8:11 am

That tostada looks disgusting! Is he from the 909? He definitely looks like he thinks he’s still 20 years old. I can’t bring myself to watch his show. He is a good example of why other countries think Americans are loud and obnoxious.