Bobby Flay Says Marriage Is ‘Off the Table’ but He’s ‘Interested in a Life Partner’

Mar. 15, 2025

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During an Oct. 29 appearance onKristin Cavallari’s podcastLet’s Be Honest, the chef spoke about what he’s looking for in his next relationship. (PEOPLE first reported his split from writer Christina Pérezin Juneafter three years of dating.)

“Is it off the table? If you asked me today, I’d say probably, yes. I don’t know,” Flay said. “For me, it hasn’t been the best situation. That said, I don’t feel like I need to do it again. I have an amazing daughter who is 28 years old. I’m not having any more kids as far as I know.”

However, there’s something he is interested in. “I would be interested in a life partner for sure. But I don’t think it necessarily needs the documentation,” Flay added.

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Cavallari, who agreed with this thoughts on marriage, also asked if Flay noticed any patterns within his past divorces. Flay was married to Debra Ponzek from 1991 until 1993, Kate Connelly from 1995 until 1998 (with whom he shares daughter,Sophie) andStephanie Marchfrom 2005 until 2015.

“They were completely different,” he admitted. “I haven’t been married now for 10 years. I feel more comfortable not being married. I think there’s less pressure.”

“Once you sign a document that says, ‘You are now together,’ there’s something that changes,” he said. “When you try to explain that to people who have never been married, they don’t know what you’re talking about. They’re like, ‘What’s the difference?’ And I’m like well, there is a difference but I can’t really put my finger on it.”

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When speaking about his current relationship status, Flay asked Cavallari for some advice.

“Honestly I don’t know what to do. I’m single and so what does that mean? Do you need to get back out there right away? Do you need to start dating people? Can’t you just go out and have fun with friends?” he pondered.

“That’s my favorite thing to do because, again, there’s no pressure, I don’t have to say ‘I’m going out with this person,’ ‘I didn’t want to tell you I was going out with this person.’ It’s just easier.”

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“I’m just relaxed right now,” Flay said at a golf event. “I mean, I don’t really have anything to say about that. It’s still kind of new for me.”

source: people.com