Guy Fieri Praises Son Hunter as His ‘Best Friend’ and Co-Host: ‘He Knows Television'

It’s the family business! Guy Fieriopened up about what it’s like working with his eldest son, Hunter Fieri, on the upcoming seasons of Food Network’s Tournament of Champions VII and Flavortown Food Fight.

“Everybody that does shows like I do needs a counterpart. Someone has got to be the counterbalance or the foil,” he adds. “And Hunter is, one, my best friend, and, two, my kid, and three, a really good, aware co-host. He gets it. He knows television, he understands what we need, what we got to do,” Guy, 58, told People in an interview published on Monday, February 23. 

The Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives host, who also shares son Ryder Fieri with wife Lori Fieri, added that his “favorite thing” about Hunter is ability to show his “whimsical, funny, creative side.” 

Though Ryder, 20, hasn’t appeared as many times alongside his dad, Guy is all about highlighting the special connection he has with his family. 

Related: ‘Tournament of Champions’ Season 7 Bracket Revealed: Here Are the Official Matchups

“It’s the best part of it. And anytime I get my nephew Jules, or I get Ryder involved, or my wife Lori, who will be making a cameo, a very important cameo in Flavortown Food Fight, my favorite part,” he told the publication. 

Fieri got his start on Food Network after winning season 2 of The Next Food Network Star in 2006. His victory earned him his own six-episode series, Guy’s Big Bite, which premiered later that year and launched his long-running TV career.