Bobby Flay and Brooke Williamson‘s relationship reportedly got a little help from an unexpected Hollywood matchmaker. The Food Network star recently revealed that a conversation with a famous actress encouraged him to pursue his feelings for the fellow chef after years of hesitation.
Although Flay avoided naming his friend, a few details made her identity difficult to miss. During an interview with People, Flay described the woman as a major movie star.
“And I was just telling [my friend] this quandary I was having that I was, like, totally falling for somebody that I work with,” Flay said. “And I’m just frustrated because I’m not gonna go there. I just don’t know what to do. And she told me I was out of my mind. That’s how I sort of came to terms with it. And literally on the very last day of that season of BBQ Brawl, I went up to [Williamson], and I was like, ‘I need to talk to you about something.’ And she’s like, ‘What?’ And I was like, ‘If you’re still interested…’ It had gone on for a while. ‘If you’re still interested, I’m ready to make a commitment to you.’ And that was sort of the beginning of the beginning.”
When asked whether the friend was Scarlett Johansson, Williamson responded with “No confirmation,” while Flay also played along. Johansson, who is married to Colin Jost, has been friends with Flay for years.
Their first meeting happened years before romance entered the picture
Flay and Williamson first met while working as judges on Food Network’s Supermarket Stakeout in 2020. However, their relationship did not become romantic until several years later.
“We were in London, and we were sitting on a bench in The Regent’s Park, and I was like, ‘I got you a gift.’ And I said, ‘But before I give you the gift, like, you’re cool with not getting married, right? Like, we’re on the same page?’ Because we had obviously talked about that. And she’s like, ‘Yeah, yeah, absolutely.’ I was like, ‘Okay,’” he further added regarding his decision to give Williamson a diamond commitment ring.
The couple confirmed their relationship in March 2025. During their interview with People, Flay also explained that he was not necessarily looking to get married again after three previous marriages. Williamson had also been married before, separating from her former husband, Nick Roberts, in 2022.
