A Contributor Who Cooks

Chef and restaurateur Bobby Flay has been named a contributor to The Early Show, CBS News' new weekday morning broadcast anchored by Bryant Gumbel and Jane Clayson.

Flay, 34, has a reputation as one of the most innovative chefs in the United States. His use of indigenous American, Southwestern and Mediterranean ingredients have helped establish new standards in American cooking.

His inventiveness has brought recognition to his two New York City restaurants, Mesa Grill and Bolo.

The Zagat Survey has voted Mesa Grill the No. 1 American regional restaurant and one of the top 25 New York restaurants since it opened in 1991.

Bolo continues to be voted the top Spanish restaurant in New York since its debut in 1993.

"In all of my years of eating in New York, Mesa Grill is one of my favorite restaurants," says Steve Friedman, The Early Show's senior executive producer.

"Bobby will bring the expertise and wit of his latest book, Boy Meets Grill, to our viewers," he adds. Flay will join the program as a contributor Nov. 1.

In addition to Boy Meets Grill, Flay also is the author of Bold American Food (1994) and From My Kitchen to Your Table (1998).

Flay's talents have been recognized with several prestigious awards, including the Rising Star Chef Award from the James Beard Foundation, in 1993. He also was the first recipient of the Outstanding Graduate Award from the French Culinary Institute, from which he graduated in 1984.

He is a resident of New York City, where he was born.