Guy Fieri’s Sonoma

Guy Fieri is certainly busy these days. He is the star of the Food Network’s Diners, Drive Ins and Dives, Guy’s Big Bite and the new Celebrity Cook-Off, which co-stars Rachael Ray. Fieri has a new cookbook out, “Guy Fieri Food: Cookin’ It, Livin’ It, Lovin’ It” and also manages to find time to act as host on the NBC Game Show Minute to Win It. At the end of the day, though, the only place the star chef really wants to be is Sonoma.

When Fieri gets a break from filming and personal appearances, he comes home to Sonoma. It’s there he lives with his wife and two boys, and oversees his six Northern California restaurants. This is the area he grew up in and he has no intention of leaving. “It’s a nucleus, a hub, it’s where we’ve made our home,” explains the chef. “It’s very culturally diverse and a phenomenal environment to raise our kids.”

For Guy Fieri, where he lives is about his family and his job. “This is, in my opinion, the food and wine epicenter,” says Fieri. “If you’re going to be opening restaurants, writing recipes, and living this culinary dream, you have to put yourself in the most fertile soil. Sonoma County is the abundance of abundance; it’s 20 minutes from the ocean and houses some of the best vineyards in the world.”

The Tex Wasabi’s restaurants are very popular, but it’s Johnny Garlics (with Sonoma locations in Santa Rosa and Windsor) that started it all, and it’s no wonder. The family-friendly restaurant offers a wide variety of food to satisfy everyone. Some of the can’t miss items here are the Sashimi Won Tacos, Penne Pesto Vegetable and Cajun Chicken Fettuccine Pasta, and the Dry Rub Wings. Just be sure you save room for the Breath Mint Pie with and Oreo crust.

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