Robert Irvine returns to Food Network tonight
What's a little resume padding between friends?
British chef Robert Irvine, he of the inflated credentials, returns to his show Dinner: Impossible at 10 tonight on the Food Network. It was just a little over a year ago that a St. Petersburg Times story written by Ben Montgomery revealed that some of the chef's claims were bogus. Like his knighthood. And that he helped bake Princess Diana's wedding cake.
After the story, the dominoes started to fall. The restaurant deal in downtown St. Petersburg was off. HSN dropped him. Then the Food Network replaced him as host. (The downtown space that was to be Ooze and Schmooze is still empty.)
Well, what a difference a year makes. The contrite chef has his show back though he wasn't giving any preshow interviews. I doubt he'd be talking to any Times reporter again anyway.
Clearly, his popularity among viewers trumped a few lies. And what the heck. It's not like he bilked a thousand people out of their savings. Tonight, he'll be cooking for 200 extreme athletes at the Winter X Games in Aspen, Colo. Let the games begin.
Photo of Robet Irvine at the Don CeSar Beach Resort and Spa, St. Pete Beach, May 2007, during the first Tampa Bay Wine and Food Festival by Scott Keeler, Times.
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Jackass. His food sucks and he spends more time in the gym than he does the kitchen.
Posted by: John | April 08, 2009 at 10:12 AM
he's a blowhard, actually met him in person one night before all the crap hit the fan and thought he was full of himself as well as full of bull!!
Posted by: tom | April 08, 2009 at 11:16 AM
I am sure that Irvin "padded" his resume and I'm sure he's "full of himself." BUT, he sure did not deserve Wendy LaTorre's drama and all the nonsense she stirred up with Ooze and Schmoose; all because SHE didn't get her ego stroked. I was a "Dinner Impossible" viewer, and I'm delighted that he's bad!
Posted by: Annette | April 08, 2009 at 12:27 PM
I agree with Annette, the show was so much fun to watch and I'm glad it's coming back. How many of us haven't told a little white lie to make ourselves look better at one time or another?
Posted by: Elita | April 08, 2009 at 01:37 PM
So an empty store still stands where a business would be? And people wonder why St. Pete is dying. Do absolutely nothing to make the city shine and get people in.
Posted by: Bonni | April 08, 2009 at 02:06 PM
He's just a chef, for crying out loud. The Times vetted him more thoroughly than Obama does his Cabinet appointees! I'm don't doubt the SPT is disappointed they didn't ruin his career permanently with their "ace" reporting. I guess we'll just have to stay tuned for more Hulk vs. Linda...
Posted by: Andrew | April 08, 2009 at 04:57 PM
Welcome back baby! i enjoyed your show! and was hurt when they replaced you! I enjoy your ego and smile and I am thrilled to see you back! Good Luck
Posted by: ethel | April 10, 2009 at 10:03 AM
We are very happy he is back. I think that he's been punished enough! He is entertaining and the Foodnetwork needs to advertise that he's back more! I told a woman's group I attend (there's about 432 of us total) Robert was back and while some didn't believe me, they have now seen him and are glad as well...he's completely different from the other chefs...you can turn him on at 10pm at night with your husband and watch him because he also appeals to men with his adventures....for me and many other women, that's GREAT!!!!!
Welcome Back Robert!
Posted by: Lee | April 10, 2009 at 02:34 PM
Well.. This Ben Montgomery guy, more or less caused a blank retail space to be blank for probably many years... What was this morons reasonning to bring someone down anyways? I never did quite understand his reason for writing something so malicious...
Posted by: Brian | April 19, 2009 at 10:49 AM
Welcom back! I'm watcing the show right know and loving it. He is talented and funny. If Food Network brought him baack is b/c they know that the audience wanted him and that his show is profitable.
Posted by: Silvia | April 22, 2009 at 10:52 PM
My family and I are thrilled Robert is back. Even if his resume was fluffed -- does it really matter? He has proved over and over again that he is up to the challenge of Dinner Impossible!
Posted by: Fran | April 23, 2009 at 01:06 PM
Thank god he is back. He was one of the few people worth watching on Food Network. They also need to bring nack the Deen boys. The Neeley's are annoying.
Posted by: Mark | April 23, 2009 at 02:43 PM
My husband and I love Robert. Dinner Impossible was not the same without him. We blew off last season and were happy to see him return. Glad to have you back Robert!
Posted by: Jane | April 23, 2009 at 11:22 PM
i am so glad he's back also! that michael so-called "iron chef" didn't do a good job in replacing robert. robert is awesome. he is the DINNER IMPOSSIBLE! welcome back!
Posted by: Lynette | May 15, 2009 at 08:21 AM
Mark, the Neeley's ARE annoying. lol
Posted by: Lynette | May 15, 2009 at 08:22 AM
Michael is good, Robert even better.love the Iron Chef but The neeleys are toooooo!
Posted by: marlene | May 24, 2009 at 10:36 PM
Michael is good, Robert even better.love the Iron Chef but The neeleys are toooooo!
Posted by: marlene | May 24, 2009 at 10:39 PM
Michael is good, Robert even better.love the Iron Chef but The neeleys are toooooo!
Posted by: marlene | May 24, 2009 at 10:40 PM
really enjoy the show; however, in cooking, they do not exercise the cleanliness in the kitchen which I think they should, i.e., using hands to stir ingredients, (without gloves) wiping nose area with hands, while cooking. needs improvement and show would be great!
Posted by: nan hunt | July 15, 2009 at 11:02 PM