Home / Arts and Entertainment / Celebrity Chef Bobby Flay Hates Cooking with Durian and Bitter Melon
Celebrity Chef Bobby Flay Hates Cooking with Durian and Bitter Melon
17 Oct
Summary
- Flay dislikes cooking with durian and bitter melon
- Flay had cooking mishaps with gnudi and onion on his show
- Flay gifted a diamond ring to girlfriend Brooke Williamson

In October 2025, celebrity chef Bobby Flay took to Instagram to answer fans' questions about his hit Food Network series Beat Bobby Flay. When asked about an ingredient he dislikes cooking with, Flay immediately named durian, the distinctive fruit known for its strong smell. Flay has been vocal about his dislike for durian in the past, calling it "awful" and saying he doesn't want to be around it.
Flay also shared details about other challenging ingredients and cooking mishaps he's faced. He recalled an incident where the gnudi he was making on the show disintegrated in the rolling water, forcing him to start over. Flay also revealed that onion, used as a secret ingredient on Iron Chef, was the toughest he's had to work with, as he struggled to create five amazing dishes focused on the ingredient.
In addition to his culinary insights, Flay recently sparked rumors about his personal life. Earlier this month, he posted a photo on Instagram showing his girlfriend Brooke Williamson's hand with a large diamond ring. While the couple is not engaged, Flay confirmed he gifted the ring to Williamson as a gesture of their commitment to each other.