Bobby Flay likes to have the element of surprise on his side, but I know his next move:
(SPOILER ALERT: Don't read if you don't want to know)
Challenging Rodney Henry of Dangerously Delicious Pies to a "Cowboy Quiche Throwdown."
That happens tomorrow morning at Luckies Tavern in Power Plant Live. I have that from Luckies manager Ben Brengle, who said shooting begins about 9 a.m.
Note to Food Network: Don't blame Brengle for spilling the beans. Someone I'll identify only as Tipsteress Extraordinaire gave me the heads-up. Brengle just confirmed it.
I also called Henry, who said the Flay throwdown was news to him. But it just so happens that Food Network crews have been following Henry around for the past couple of days, filming him making Cowboy Quiche (bacon, ham, potato, red and green bell peppers, jalapenos, Gruyere and cheddar).
Henry said Food Network told him they're shooting for a prospective series.
A likely story! That's Flay's whole shtick.
"Chef Bobby Flay is on a secret mission: to challenge the absolute masters in different kinds of cooking – award-winning BBQers, bakers, pizza makers and more," says The Food Network Web site. "In each episode, one of these cooks thinks Food Network is shooting their profile for a show. What they don't know is that Bobby is going to drop in for a surprise visit and challenge them to an unexpected cook-off."
Said Henry: "No one's ever said anything about him [Flay] being here. As far as I know that's not what happening. But if he shows up, I won't be surprised."
Just look surprised for the cameras.