Robert Irvine is a celebrity chef, restaurateur, cookbook author, talk show host, and businessperson. He is best known for his Food Network programmes, including ‘Dinner: Impossible’, ‘Worst Cooks in America’, and ‘Restaurant: Impossible’. Although those who watch the Food Network will most likely know who he is, there are many Robert Irvine facts that people do not know.
The Fruity Tart has compiled a list of fun facts about Robert Irvine for you to enjoy, including facts about his personal life, Robert Irvine’s net worth, information about his culinary career, and some facts about his career in television.
Robert Irvine Facts: His Personal and Family Life
Where Was Robert Irvine Born?
Robert Irvine was born in Wiltshire, England, on 24 September 1965.
Who Is Robert Irvine’s Wife?
Many people wonder who is Robert Irvine’s wife? Robert Irvine has been married twice. His first wife was Karen Irvine, and the couple lived in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Sadly, the marriage did not last, and they divorced. Irvine married professional wrestler Gail Kin in May 2012.
Does Robert Irvine Have Children?
Robert Irvine has two daughters from his first marriage to Karen, called Annalise and Talia.
Where Does Robert Irvine Live?
A year after marrying Gail Kim, the couple bought a house in Tampa, Florida, which is their main residence. Distractify says that his daughters also live in the Tampa property.
What Is Robert Irvine’s Net Worth?
According to Pure Net Worth, Robert Irvine’s net worth is $20 million, which is approximately £14 million. He just misses a spot on our list of the richest celebrity chefs in the world, which includes Charlie Ayers, Gordon Ramsay, Ina Garten, Jamie Oliver, and David Chang. Irvine has made most of his money from his television career as a celebrity chef. He has also made money from his restaurants, books, and other ventures.
Facts About Robert Irvine: His Culinary Career
He Started Cooking in the Navy
Robert Irvine did not attend culinary school to become a chef. He joined the U.K.’s Royal Navy when he was 15 and completed his culinary training with the Navy. He completed a 10-year tour of duty with the Navy, during which time he served on Her Majesty’s Royal Yacht Britannia.
Irvine Worked as a Consultant Around Asia
After leaving the Navy, Robert Irvine became a consultant. He worked in various locations around Asia, including Bali, Jakarta, and Ho Chi Minh City. Irvine then became an Executive Chef on various cruise ships and also worked at Donald Trump’s Taj Mahal. Before opening his own restaurants, the last place he worked was on the five-star MS Crystal Harmony.
He is the Founder of Robert Irvine Foods
In addition to his television appearances and running restaurants, Robert Irvine is also a businessman. He created a branded line of foods called Robert Irvine Foods, and these include a range of food, spices, and oils. He donates a portion of the profits to his charity.
Robert Irvine Owns a Restaurant at Tropicana Las Vegas
Irvine opened his first restaurant in 2017. It is called Robert Irvine’s Public House, and it is located in the Tropicana Las Vegas resort.
He Owns a Distillery
Robert Irvine co-owns a distillery in Lansdale, Pennsylvania, called Boardroom Spirits.
Irvine Had a Restaurant in The Pentagon
Irvine’s second restaurant is Fresh Kitchen, within the walls of The Pentagon in Washington D.C. He opened a second Fresh Kitchen in 2019 in Allentown, Pennsylvania. However, the restaurant closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Irvine decided not to reopen the restaurant.
His Television Career
Robert Irvine is a Food Network Star
Just like Guy Fieri, Ree Drummond, and Bobby Flay, Robert Irvine is one of the stars of the Food Network. Most of the series that Robert Irvine has hosted or in which he has featured appear on the Food Network.
He First Appeared on Television in 2006
Robert Irvine first appeared on television in 2006, when he landed his own Food Network series, ‘Fit for A King’. The series was later renamed ‘Dinner: Impossible’. In each episode, Irvine is given a challenge. The show originally ran for eight seasons between 2007 and 2010. However, Irvine did not host ten episodes in 2008 after he was fired for lying about his resume, although the Food Network then reinstated him. The series returned for its 10th season in 2021.
He Is the Host of Restaurant: Impossible
Since 2011, Robert Irvine has been the host of the Food Network series ‘Restaurant: Impossible’. The series has a similar premise to various Gordon Ramsay series, such as ‘Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares’, ‘Hotel Hell’, and ’24 Hours to Hell and Back’. Irvine visits struggling restaurants and helps them to become profitable by improving their menu, teaching the owners how to become successful restaurateurs and giving the restaurants a makeover.
Irvine Hosted Worst Cooks in America
In 2011, Robert Irvine became a co-host on ‘Worst Cooks in America’, which is a series that trains terrible home cooks to become brilliant cooks.
He Has a Talk Show
Since 2016, Robert Irvine has hosted his own talk show, ‘The Robert Irvine Show’. The premise of the show is conflict resolution of the guests.
His Books and Other Ventures
He Has Written Four Books
Robert Irvine has written four books, three of which are cookbooks. These are:
- Mission: Cook! (2007)
- Impossible to Easy (2010)
- Family Table by Robert Irvine (2018)
His fourth book, published in 2015, was Fit Fuel: A Chef’s Guide to Eating Well, Getting Fit, and Living Your Best Life. Although the book contains recipes, it also talks about Irvine’s early life, how he became passionate about fitness and weight training, workout routines, and motivational tips.
He Has a Fitness Column in a Magazine
Irvine has been a regular contributor to ‘Muscle & Fitness’ magazine since 2011. Throughout 2016, the magazine also features Robert Irvine’s recipes.
Irvine Launched an Online Magazine
Robert Irvine launched Robert Irvine Magazine in 2016. It is a digital publication, and categories include workouts, gear recommendations, and expert advice. He also publishes healthy recipes.
He Co-Created a Mobile App
During the coronavirus pandemic, Robert Irvine collaborated with WorkMerk, a tech company, to create a mobile app for restaurants. The app acts as a checklist to ensure they are complying with guidelines.
Irvine Launched a Range of Health Food Products
Robert Irvine is passionate about health and fitness, so he launched a range of healthy food products between 2012 and 2016. Some of his range’s products include frozen crab cakes, a healthy version of cheesecake, and Fit Crunch protein bars.
Other Robert Irvine Facts
He Created The Robert Irvine Foundation
As a veteran of the British Navy, Robert Irvine feels passionate about supporting those who have served in the Armed Forces. Therefore, in 2014, the celebrity chef founded The Robert Irvine Foundation to support and honour the people of the military.
He Is an Award Winner
Robert Irvine has won multiple awards throughout his career. These include the Ambassador of the Culinary Institute of America in 2007 and the Culinary Institute of America Culinary Excellence Award in 2001. He is also the recipient of the 2017 Spirit of Hope Award.
Irvine Hates Cinnamon
One of the Robert Irvine facts that not many people know is that he hates America’s favourite spice. Robert Irvine told The Daily Meal that cinnamon is one food he cannot stand. He never tried the spice until he moved to the United States, as it is not widely used in the UK. After moving to America, he found cinnamon features in many dishes, and he disliked the flavour. Although he does not eat it himself, he is happy to use it in his cooking, and the spice features in one of the protein bars in his health food range.
If you have enjoyed reading our Robert Irvine facts, you might also like to read our facts about Allegra McEvedy, the Hairy Bikers, Andi Oliver, Curtis Stone, and Fred Sirieix.
Feel free to comment on our Robert Irvine facts in the comments section below.
Updated August 2022