Celebrity chef Bobby Flay has made it clear he will never walk down the aisle again following three divorces, but that hasn't stopped him from demonstrating his commitment to his romantic partner, Brooke Williamson. In a surprising gesture last October, Flay presented Williamson with a diamond ring, creating a moment of confusion and laughter between the couple.
A Puzzling Presentation in London's Japanese Garden
Williamson recently recounted the incident on Flay's podcast, Bobby on the Beat, describing how she opened a little blue box containing a giant diamond ring while sitting on a park bench in London's Regent Park. "This was a little bit confusing in the moment," Williamson admitted. "I mean, imagine opening a little blue box with a giant diamond ring inside, on a park bench on a beautiful day in London Regent Park in the Japanese garden."
Flay recalled her reaction, saying, "I know, you opened it, and you were like, 'Is this real?'" Williamson quickly corrected him with a laugh, revealing her actual response was far more blunt: "No, actually what I exactly said was, 'What the f*** is this?'"
Clarifying Their Relationship Status
Despite the romantic gesture and ensuing engagement rumours, both Flay and Williamson have been unequivocal about their stance on marriage. On a previous episode of his podcast, Flay confirmed, "You and I have had this conversation. Marriage is not a thing that interests us. I've tried it a few times and I'm good where I am now."
The couple, who will celebrate their first anniversary of dating this March, have become inseparable. Their relationship first sparked speculation on October 14 when Williamson, a four-time Daytime Emmy winner, shared an Instagram story of Flay wearing what appeared to be an engagement ring, captioned simply, "It's casual."
Designing a Personal Token
Flay invested significant time and effort into creating the special piece of jewellery, collaborating closely with his cousin Billy Flay, who works as a jewellery designer. "I spent 'weeks and weeks and weeks' designing the precious bauble," Flay explained, adding with a hopeful note, "Hopefully, I won't be back for another one."
Past Relationships and Family Lives
Flay's relationship history includes three marriages. He was married to his second wife, Kate Connelly, from 1995 to 1998, during which time they welcomed their daughter Sophie, now 29, who works as a correspondent for Good Morning America. His third marriage to actress Stephanie March ended in a contentious 2015 divorce, during which March alleged infidelity.
Williamson, meanwhile, finalised her divorce from husband Nick Roberts in 2024 after fifteen years of marriage. The couple share a seventeen-year-old son named Hudson, of whom they remain proud parents.
Recent Public Appearances and Professional Ventures
The couple continue to share their lives publicly, recently posting a loved-up selfie from Madison Square Garden while watching the Dallas Mavericks defeat the New York Knicks. Professionally, Williamson recently served as a guest judge on the season 40 premiere of Beat Bobby Flay, which aired on the Food Network.
Flay maintains an extensive restaurant portfolio, including three establishments in Las Vegas:
- Amalfi
- Brasserie B Parisian Steakhouse
- Bobby's Burgers
His Bobby's Burgers brand has expanded beyond Las Vegas with additional locations in New York and North Carolina, showcasing his ongoing influence in the culinary world.
