By Jake Epstein and Rachel Askinasi, Oct 8, 2021, 12:35 PM

** Chef Bobby Flay and the Food Network are set to part ways after 27 years, Variety reported. Since the early days of the Food Network, Flay has been a beacon in its programming.

** Flay dropped out of high school and became a head chef by age 20.

Legendary chef Bobby Flay and the Food Network are set to part ways after 27 years, Variety’s Cynthia Littleton reported on Thursday.

Flay and the network were reportedly in the middle of contract negotiations, ahead of the expiration of his current three-year deal later this year, and sources told the publication the network ended the talks. Variety reported that a source close to the network cited disagreements over financial terms as reasoning behind the TV giant wanting to cut ties. Food Network didn’t immediately respond to Insider’s request for comment.

When reached for comment by Variety, Flay’s representatives at WME reportedly declined and cited a “policy of not commenting on active negotiations.” WME did not immediately respond to Insider’s request for comment. 

Source: Bobby Flay to Leave Food Network After 27 Years, Report Says