Chef Dave White had the audience firmly on his side as the Below Deck Mediterranean and Chopped alum raced to BeatBobby Flay. While the competition itself was heart-stopping, some of the biggest drama never made it to air.
White first bested award-winning Executive Sous Chef Rashida Holmes in a nail-biting chicken thigh challenge. He moved on to compete against Flay with a fish & chips showdown. But once he faced off against Flay, his momentum was threatened when he sliced his finger so badly that production suggested he step away from the competition for medical attention.
But the injury only fueled White’s determination to beat Flay, and he pushed on despite the setback.
“The competition definitely tested me,” White said in a release shared with Parade. “I sliced my hand mid-cook using a brand-new knife and kept going one-handed because I knew I still had a shot. Experiences like my time on Chopped, now Beat Bobby Flay, have shown me I have the skills and technique to compete at a high level. Now it’s about refining my pace, learning when to slow down, even though I thrive on adrenaline. That balance is the next step.”
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Despite working with a cut (bandaged and gloved) hand, White ultimately beat Flay. Judges Jason Hicks, Mama Tanya, and Asia Shabazz unanimously agreed that White’s fish & chips crushed Flay’s Indian-inspired fusion dish. The win underscored the same work ethic, creativity, and technique that earned White respect on Chopped and Bravo’s Below Deck, proving his skills are only sharpening with time—no pun intended.
White shared that he was elated to have beaten Flay. “Everyone was incredible to work with and so welcoming, but I’ll admit I felt a lot of pressure going in!” White said. “I felt like I was doing this for England! I’m competitive by nature and really wanted to show up strong. Facing Chef Rashida, a James Beard nominee with serious credentials, and just a lovely human. I honestly thought I was outmatched.”
He continued, “Then going up against Bobby Flay, I chose fish and chips because it’s personal to me. It’s British. It’s affordable. It’s how I grew up. Fish and chips is a simple dish on paper, but technically demanding, especially under a 40-minute clock. You’re chasing that perfect balance of crispiness, seasoning and nostalgia, managing multiple techniques.”
Beat Bobby Flay airs on Thursdays at 9 p.m. on Food Network.