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Two weeks ago, St. Petersburg Times writer (and former Tampa Tribune reporter) Ben Montgomery broke the story that Robert Irvine, star of the Food Network show “Dinner: Impossible” had padded his resume and, generally, acted like an ##### in the Tampa Bay area while portraying himself as being on the verge of opening two restaurants in downtown St. Pete. The spaces for those restaurants, named Ooze and Schmooze, remain vacant on Beach Drive, despite more than a year of pronouncements of impending openings. (He did so with me as recently as September during my Table Conversations podcast interview with him.)
Soon after the Times story, Food Network yanked Irvine’s bio from FoodNetwork.com and redacted a few pronouncements from the intro of the show. Irvine also was scheduled to appear at the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival last weekend in Miami Beach, but became chef non grata at the event and canceled at the last minute.
Even Anthony Bourdain, a former Food Network personality who has since become one of the network’s fiercest critics while vaulting to success as host of the Travel Channel series “No Reservations,” joked about Irvine on his blog.
Bourdain posted from the SoBe festival about his bestowing of the dubious Golden Clog food awards with writer Michael Ruhlman. In that post, he mentions that the Food Network actively campaigned for their stars not to attend the makeshift ceremony. (Only Rocco DiSpirito and Aaron Sanchez did.)
Bourdain wrote:
“My other concern, of course, is that Robert (Dinner Inconvenient) Irvine, deranged by his suddenly disappearing [online] biographies and his rudely canceled event, will somehow focus some hormone-fueled rage on ... me - and wrap his tiny little hands around my neck while flexing those oversized guns. My brains would squeeze out of the top of my head like toothpaste coming out of the tube …”
Irvine is still making appearances, including taping an episode of the show Wednesday night in Washington D.C. at the Pink Tie fundraiser for the National Cherry Blossom Festival. The Washington Post reports that the press was kept very far away from Irvine as he prepared dinner for 250 guests.
At a about 12:15 p.m. today, Food Network spokeswoman Lisa DelColle e-mailed me a statement by network president Brooke Johnson saying that Irvine will finish the rest of the production schedule but will be replaced as host at the end of the season:
“We looked into the situation and found that, as Robert as already admitted, there were some embellishments and inaccuracies in his resume. The few and minor incidents of the inclusion of these embellishments into “Dinner Impossible” have been removed. The show is, and has always been, completely accurate in the depiction of the cooking challenges faced by Robert. We will continue airing both old shows and the new season of programs currently in production. We have not renewed Robert’s contract for future seasons but will fulfill our contractual obligations. We rely on the trust that our viewers have in the accuracy of the information we present, and Robert challenged that trust. We appreciate Robert’s remorse about his actions, and we can revisit this decision at the end of the production cycle, but for now we will be looking for a replacement host.”
The network also released a statement from Irvine that read:
“I was wrong to exaggerate in statements related to my experiences regarding the Royal Family. I am proud of my work while serving in the Royal Navy and on board the Royal Yacht Britannia, also as part of the Guest Chef program in the White House with the United States Navy, in addition to my culinary accomplishments. I should have stood on those accomplishments alone, without embellishment. I remain committed and enthusiastic about my work with Food Network and other future endeavors. I am truly sorry for the errors in my judgment. To all my family, friends and loyal fans, I will work tirelessly to regain your trust and continue to use my show and life to benefit the less fortunate.”
For those who have never seen the show, check out this trailer:
UPDATE: I just saw that Serious Eats reported this news as well earlier this afternoon. So did TMZ.com
UPDATE NO. 2: Readers of The Stew say: Cut Irvine a break.
Posted by CSD, Alabama on 03/02 at 09:13 AM
Food Network is going down in my opinion. The Guy dude is not much of a cook, chef or whatever and I am sick of that cook off show with him and the former game show host. The only things worth watching are Alton Brown and the iron chef. Where is Jacques Torez? Emeril? Sara Moulton? They have ditched these REAL chefs for Rachel 4 times a day. Don’t get me wrong, I dig RR, Paula, and Sandra. But give me a break. Food Network is nothing like it used to be. I say cut Robert Irvine some slack, they do everybody else!
Posted by Kk.Green, New York City on 03/02 at 08:22 AM
Frankly, after thinking about it - I bet there’s more to the story!
FW changing one of the top rated shows
for something so silly
the $$$ the network with lose - is that really worth it? The fans (buying public) does not care
I am going to ask around -
there has to be more to this—
Posted by Tom Anderson, Pittsburgh, PA on 03/02 at 08:12 AM
I don’t care if Robert Irvine was a part-time potato peeler on a Dude Ranch or a celebrity info-smut peddler on TMZ… he’s fantastic! He has great personality, a great show and probably embellished because it’s difficult to get an opportunity such as this otherwise. He’s awesome to watch &
I WILL FOLLOW HIM TO ANOTHER NETWORK, FOOD NETWORK RECONSIDER! We love Robert’s charisma, silliness and charm. He has broad appeal and is fun to watch. His personal life fiasco isn’t the first we’ve heard of in show biz and won’t be the last. He got caught up in the nightmare of trying to be larger than life. (case in point: Robert Downy Jr, How many Hollywood lives and chances does one man get?) A Dinner:Impossible- Robert Irvine Diehard Fan.
Posted by Heather Fresa, Merritt Island, FL on 03/02 at 07:44 AM
If you are an Irvine fan and want to see him continue as host of Dinner:Impossible, I recommend you leave positive feedback for him on the Food Network website. I just did.
Posted by Paul Campbell, Birmingham, AL on 03/02 at 04:54 AM
Regardless of what comes out of this, I will continue to look for and watch anything that includes Robert Irvine. I never miss Dinner Impossible or anything including Alton Brown, especially Good Eats.
Lose everyone else on the Food Network other than Robert & Alton and guess what? I’ll still tune in to watch anything & everything they do.
Robert, at my house, in my town, we’ve got YOUR back, no matter what. Robert proves himself on every episode of Dinner Impossible.
It’s time to focus on the real issue, quality of entertainment & food knowledge. Anything he’s involved in includes BOTH.
Posted by Marti Lark, Philadelphia on 03/02 at 01:51 AM
I love this show because of Robert. I don’t care what he did, if you take him off I will no longer watch the program. He is awesome!
Posted by SilverArrow, NJ on 03/02 at 01:24 AM
You’re kidding right? How about axing Rachael and Paula first, as one gives me chills just listening to her and the other will kill us with her “cooking”. Get real Food Network, the guy stretched his history in a few places, still an entertaining and very skilled chef, my vote it to keep him around!
Posted by Janet Scherman, Allentown, PA on 03/02 at 01:16 AM
I agree with the many individuals who suggested that Robert Irvine is neither the first nor is he the only personality to embellish credentials. He is fascinating to watch and extremely gifted as a chef. His show is one of my favorites. He admitted his mistake in doing things the way he did. Food Network officials need to reconsider their position. After all, TV viewers forgive politicans and weathermen all the time.
Posted by M. M. Brown, Alamogordo, New Mexico, USA on 03/02 at 01:00 AM
The interesting thing about this story is that, an entire segment of society, while being infuriated about Irvine’s alleged embellishment of his resume, still happily makes excuses for politicians who lie under oath and commit various and sundry acts unbecoming to their positions.
I enjoy seeing the hypocrisy of the citizens of this country and will continue to laugh at the feigned indignation at Mr. Irvine’s untruths.
Look, folks. If you’re willing to overlook untruths in one person, you ought to be able to do so when it comes to others. It’s not right to do such a thing, but for years now you’ve pretended it’s ok when it comes to those who you idolize or are financially tied to.
Posted by karen curtis, nebraska on 03/02 at 12:55 AM
i really don’t care that embellished his resume, who hasn’t? i won’t watch anymore..i only watched for him. by the way..is he married? i’ve never seen it mentioned in his bio.
Posted by Rita Johnson, Houston, Texas on 03/02 at 12:17 AM
Why on earth would you cancel Robert Irvine AND Emeril. These two, the Iron Chef and Alton Brown are the only food shows worth watching. Why would a resume make any difference? I am SO very disappointed in you.
Posted by Kk.Green, New York City on 03/02 at 12:04 AM
Food Network - who cares!!
Wake-up ! In the real world everyone lies a little on CVs . But once you get the job you have to prove yourself - just what Robert did .
I will no longer watch the show without Robert - he is what makes the show.
Don’t tell me you are going to give golden boy Bobby Flay the show!
I really don’t want to see him again.
How about someone of color?! -
Black people cook too!!
Posted by Gary Mattson, Rochester, Washington on 03/01 at 11:07 PM
I, for one, only watch the Food Network because of Robert Irvine’s “Dinner Impossible”. If fhe does not continue, I, more than likely, won’t have any bonding time with my wife watching the Food Network.
Posted by T. Reed, Texas on 03/01 at 11:05 PM
I enjoy watching Dinner Impossible. The reason I watch it is because Robert Irvine is on it.
He’s a great chef! So he embellished his resume? Big deal!! Does it make him less of a chef? NO!
Posted by Arundel, New York on 03/01 at 09:02 PM
It’s a pity really. I love the show and Robert IS a talented chef. I don’t see the big deal. So he padded his resume. Look at Hillary, Obama and Mccain. If padding your resume is a crime, No One would be running for President…..EVER!
Posted by julia crosslan, wisconsin on 03/01 at 08:26 PM
No, he should not have imbelished his resume but he still is an excellent chef and has a VERY entertaining show…it’s not like he is doing brain surgery with no training…besides, we listen to the news every night and they lie all the time…
Posted by C. S. CRABTREE, OKC. OKLAHOMA on 03/01 at 08:25 PM
I wonder if the people that made the decision to fire him embelished their resume’?
Posted by Jack Strassner, Fort Worth, Texas on 03/01 at 08:02 PM
THis is to All The Big Guys at The Food Network…..
“Let He Who Is Without Sin Cast The First Stone”......In other words…I bet none of you guys Ever Embellished you resumes, did you. right? Yeah, right!
Posted by P.F. Bruns, Seffner, FL on 03/01 at 07:30 PM
It’s my pleasure to help. I’m something of a professional nitpicker.
Posted by Jeff Houck, on 03/01 at 07:18 PM
Thanks for the link help, P.F.
Posted by Liz Collins, Ohio on 03/01 at 06:22 PM
He didn’t impersonate a chef-he IS a chef. He just improved upon his accomplishments, when he should have gone on his own merit.
It’s a shame, I really like him and his show….
Posted by Rose Cline, Augusta on 03/01 at 06:10 PM
So if he embellished his resume.
He has showed us what he is made of as far as cooking and knows what he is doing. I’d hate to have to cook for over 200 people with the equipment that he was given.heavy39
Posted by P.F. Bruns, Seffner, FL on 03/01 at 03:01 PM
The funny thing is, by all accounts, he is a very skilled cook, if not a degree-holding chef.
Posted by Denny Crane, Tampa, FL on 03/01 at 12:23 PM
Why in the world would anyone impersonate a chef?
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Posted by Gail Lundin, Illinois on 03/02 at 09:15 AM
Who cares if Robert embellished his resume.He is the best show on the Food Network.Please renew his contract. If Food Network doesn’t I sure hope another station does. I will follow Robert anywhere.He is awesome!