We all know the drill with Beat Bobby Flay. Two chefs enter, one chef leaves, and Bobby Flay’s ego remains perpetually inflated (though his soufflés, thankfully, are another story). But even with a formula as well-worn as a cast-iron skillet, “No More Mr. Nice Pie,” airing Thursday, January 23, 2025, might just offer a fresh slice of culinary combat. This time, chefs Kyle Garry and Sam Bassett are stepping into the arena, ready to rumble with whisks and spatulas, all under the watchful eyes of Alex Guarnaschelli and Carson Kressley. Because why not add a dash of fashion commentary to the already simmering tension?
Garry and Bassett will first have to out-cook each other to earn the privilege of facing Flay. This preliminary round is always a high-stakes affair, but the presence of Guarnaschelli and Kressley — two personalities known for their, shall we say, direct feedback — adds an extra level of pressure. Can these chefs handle the heat, or will they crumble like a poorly constructed pie crust?
Assuming one of them survives the initial gauntlet, the real battle begins: the showdown with Flay himself. While the culinary maestro has a reputation for being, well, unbeatable, the occasional underdog does manage to pull off a victory. Whether Garry or Bassett has the chops to join that elite group is anybody’s guess. But one thing’s for sure: “No More Mr. Nice Pie” should serve up a tasty blend of competition and culinary creativity.
Beat Bobby Flay airs Thursdays at 9/8c on Food Network.