- New Role: Sophie Flay, daughter of celebrity chef Bobby Flay, has been appointed a correspondent for ABC News in New York City.
- A Father’s Pride: Bobby Flay publicly praised his daughter’s “work ethic” in a heartfelt Instagram comment, calling her success “a parent’s dream.”
- Rising Through the Ranks: The 29-year-old journalist is leaving her post as a general assignment reporter at ABC7 in Los Angeles, where she worked since March 2019.
- Consistent Praise: This isn’t the first time the Food Network star has celebrated his daughter’s dedication, previously applauding her relentless reporting during the 2025 Los Angeles fires.
A New Chapter for Sophie Flay
Celebrity chef Bobby Flay is bursting with pride as his daughter, Sophie Flay, takes a major step in her journalism career. On Wednesday, the 29-year-old announced on Instagram that she is moving from the West Coast to New York City to join ABC News as a correspondent. In her new role, she will also serve as an overnight anchor for World News Now and GMA First Look.
After 11 years in Los Angeles, Sophie bid farewell to her previous position as a general assignment reporter at ABC7. “Thank you, Los Angeles, for an amazing 11 years!” she wrote in her announcement post.
A Father’s Unwavering Pride
The announcement quickly drew a flood of well-wishes, but none stood out more than the comment from her father. Bobby Flay, 60, didn’t hold back his admiration for his daughter, whom he shares with his ex-wife, Kate Connelly.
“Proud as can be,” the chef wrote. “Your work ethic and your desire to learn from your mentors has put you in this wonderful place of opportunity and importance. It’s a parent’s dream.”
A History of Hard Work
For Bobby, Sophie’s success is no surprise. He has frequently praised her dedication to her craft. He previously told PEOPLE how impressed he was with her on-the-ground reporting during the Los Angeles fires in January 2025.
“When the fires happened, I got so many comments from literally hundreds of people about how well she was just freestyling it out there on the front lines of the fire,” he recalled. “She was spectacular.”
The proud father admitted he was glued to her updates, downloading the news station’s app to follow her coverage. “I was watching it 24 hours a day. She did not go to sleep. I mean, it was crazy,” he said. “I was so proud of her because, most importantly, she was giving out really important information to people that needed it.”
More Than Just a Famous Name
Beyond her professional achievements, Bobby has always admired Sophie’s character, describing her as a “nice person” who is “incredibly inclusive.”
He sees a reflection of his own journey in her rise, attributing her success to her relentless drive rather than her family name. “I have an ongoing flow of pride watching Sophie do so well in her career,” he stated. “I’m watching her just rise to the challenges of being in her own career, and she’s doing it through basically what I did, which was hard work.”
He concluded with the ultimate parental seal of approval: “So when she puts out a story, my chest is big because I’m like, ‘That’s amazing. This is my kid.’”