Miami Chef Kenny Gilbert Competes in Guy Fieri’s Tournament of Champions Miami is making its mark in the latest season of Guy Fieri’s cooking competition, “Tournament of Champions,” as local chef Kenny Gilbert faces off against top culinary talents. Gilbert, owner of House of Birds + Drop Biscuits in Coconut Grove, is set to showcase his bold flavors and Southern roots in a high-stakes showdown. The competition, which shifts its format this season, pits iconic chefs against all-star contenders in a knockout-style format, with Gilbert representing the city’s culinary scene. Fieri emphasized the new season’s focus on elevating the competition, stating, “I built Tournament of Champions for the best chefs to etch their names in culinary history. But this season, everything shifts.” The change has added an extra layer of intensity, with participants like Gilbert tasked with creating standout dishes under challenging conditions. Gilbert, known for his vibrant Southern-inspired cuisine, described his approach to the competition: “We really have a lot of fun with the recipes and the dishes. They have a lot of huge southern roots to it.” His enthusiasm has been echoed by industry peers, who praise his ability to blend tradition with innovation. “I’m bringing from a perspective of my culture and my passion about the cuisine,” he said, highlighting the personal significance of his work. A key challenge for Gilbert is the surprise ingredient element, which forces him to think on his feet. “You have to come up with a dish that’s gonna basically highlight these ingredients in the best possible way, and that is a challenge,” he admitted. Despite the uncertainty, Gilbert has already revealed his signature dish: a chicken and biscuit sandwich he calls “The Local,” a nod to his restaurant’s classic offerings.#miami #guy_fieri #kenny_gilbert #house_of_birds_drop_biscuits #tournament_of_champions
Guy Fieri's Praise for Texas Comfort Food Spot Highlights Its Authentic Greek Cuisine A visit from Guy Fieri, the star of "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives," can elevate a small-town eatery to national recognition. For Niko Niko's, a family-run Greek and American cafe in Houston, Texas, this moment came in 2009 when Fieri praised its offerings during a televised episode. The restaurant, which has served comfort food since 1977, already had a loyal local following, but Fieri’s endorsement brought it into the spotlight. Niko Niko's menu features a mix of Greek and American classics, including falafel, hummus, lamb kebab, spanokopita, and Greek salad. The eatery was founded by Eleni Fetokakis, a Greek immigrant who brought recipes from her father’s restaurant near Athens. Her son, Dimitri, now manages the business. While Fieri has sampled countless Greek and Mediterranean dishes over his 54 seasons on the show, one item at Niko Niko's left him particularly impressed: loukoumades. Known as Greek honeyballs, loukoumades are fried dough balls similar in size to donut holes. During his visit, Fieri described the dish as “not even good, that’s great,” praising the lemon honey glaze. He also remarked, “I’ve never seen these in my life,” which seems surprising given his extensive culinary travels. The dish’s unique flavor and texture clearly made an impression. Despite Fieri’s glowing review, Niko Niko's does not receive a perfect rating. On Yelp, it holds a 4-star rating, with some customers noting that the restaurant can get crowded, especially during lunch hours. One reviewer described the experience as “so full and so packed that they keep working non-stop,” while others felt the prices were higher than comparable Greek restaurants in the area. However, Google Maps lists Niko Niko's with a 4.#houston_texas #guy_fieri #niko_niko_s #eleni_fetokakis #dimitri_fetokakis
6 Best Pizza Places in America, According to Guy Fieri Guy Fieri has long been a guiding force in the world of food, leading fans on a journey through America’s most flavorful spots on his show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. His iconic catchphrase, “Look at this thing! It’s like the steering wheel on the bus going to Flavortown,” was born from a moment of pure pizza euphoria. The phrase encapsulates the mythical state of mind Fieri enters after discovering a truly unforgettable slice, a concept that has become central to his culinary explorations. Pizza, deeply rooted in his Italian heritage, holds a special place in his heart. He even legally changed his last name from Ferry to Fieri in 1995 as a tribute to his roots, making it no surprise that his show has spotlighted countless pizza creations. From inventive twists like Korean-inspired pies in the Midwest to quirky options like pickle pizza in Alaska, Fieri has uncovered standout slices that embody the spirit of Flavortown. Below are his top picks. Pizzeria Lola in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is a standout for its bold flavors and creative approach. The pizzeria’s thin crust and inventive toppings, such as its Louisiana Dauterive pizza inspired by New Orleans, have earned it a spot on Fieri’s list. His favorite dish, the Thud Butt, features a ricotta cream base, mortadella, stracciatella cheese, and a brown butter pistachio topping. Fieri described it as a “different dimension of pizza,” highlighting its unique blend of textures and flavors. In Syracuse, New York, Pastabilities has been a local favorite since the 1980s, known for its Italian-American cuisine and homemade stretch bread. Fieri praised the eatery’s Duck Bacon Flatbread Pizza, which combines smoked duck bacon, goat cheese, mozzarella, tart cherries, shallots, pepper, and a pomegranate drizzle.#guy_fieri #pizzeria_lola #pastabilities #pinky_g_s #weights_and_measures
