Central Florida Chef Has Smokin’ Triumph: Beating Bobby Flay In Epic Wing Cook-Off

Beat Bobby Flay is one of my favorite shows and one Central Florida chef beat the Food Network star in an epic wing cook-off.

It's a HUGE deal to defeat Bobby Flay. And Rashad Jones, who owns Big Lee’s Barbecue in Ocala can say with confidence that he's done just that. If you've never seen the show, here's the premise. Two skilled chefs go head-to-head in a preliminary round where they create their signature dish. The winner of that round earns the opportunity to challenge Bobby Flay himself in the ultimate cook-off. Each episode presents unique challenges, with surprise ingredients and demanding time constraints, pushing the chefs to their limits. When the challenger goes up against Bobby Flay, both chefs must prepare the same dish and it becomes a true test of talent and technique.

In the episode that aired on July 6, Rashad Jones went head to head with Kent Rollins making a dish with top sirloin cap steak. Jones came out ahead with his barbecue smoked top sirloin cap and cheddar sandwich. In the final round against Bobby Flay, it was barbecue chicken wings they had to perfect.  Rashad Jones was triumphant with a smoked barbecue wing with a blueberry barbecue sauce, grilled corn ribs and slaw.

For some, being on TV would be a very stressful occasion. Not to say going up against Bobby Flay wouldn't be nerve-racking, but Jones has been on TV before. Back in 2017, he was on Guy’s Grocery Games and in 2022, this Florida chef was on BBQ Brawl against Bobby Flay. 

If you want to visit the restaurant featuring the chef that beat Bobby Flay, Big Lee’s Barbecue is now open and located in Ocala at 2611 SW 19th Avenue Road.

The episode of Beat Bobby Flay featuring Jones will air again tonight, July 31, at 7pm. Also on September 3 at 11pm and September 4 at 3am.

SOURCE: Ocala News

20 Florida 'Diners, Drive-In's and Dives' Featured By Guy Fieri

Living in Florida, we know we have a ton of choices when it comes to good food.  Especially here in Southwest Florida.  Think of all of the delicious restaurants on Sanibel and Captiva islands, in Downtown Ft. Myers, on 5th Avenue in Naples or in many of the malls in the area like Gulf Coast Town Center and Bell Tower. But, have you tried any of these places Guy Fieri went to on his popular Food Network show?

I'm not a big cook, however I'm obsessed with the Food Network and one of my favorite shows is Guy Fieri's “Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives." Not only has it given me some great ideas on places to try, but it's also fun to see what each place offers. And my list keeps getting longer especially since 67 Florida restaurants have been featured.

If you want to see a list of ALL the restaurants featured on the show, TVFoodmaps.com has a full list.  But, out of the 67 in Florida, while not all of them are still open, below are 20 'Diners, Drive-In's and Dives' restaurants closest to us in SWFL (in order by mileage).  If Guy Fieri loves these places, we've got to give them a shot.