This Is What Filming Food 911 Was Really Like, According To Tyler Florence

Celebrity chef and television personality Tyler Florence has done really well for himself, appealing to a large number of fans with shows like "Tyler's Ultimate," "How to Boil Water," and "Food 911." According to Food Network, Florence has a unique voice and passion for food that has found a rabid fan following over the past 15-plus years.

It wasn't easy to reach this point, though. As per The Hill, Florence worked as hard as he could before he got the chance to be featured on "Food 911." In fact, he reckons that he made as many as 50 television appearances on Food Network since 1996 before he was ultimately offered the chance to host the program in 1999, which is described as a culinary rescue of sorts by Food Network: "Suffering from food dilemmas? Food 911 to the rescue. From fallen soufflés to overcooked chicken, Tyler Florence can help anyone get out of a sticky situation."

In a conversation with Food Network's podcast host Jaymee Sire in March 2021, Florence shared interesting details about how his "Food 911" journey began (via Instagram.) The concept was simple: Florence would meet people around the U.S. and help them out with their "food emergencies." When the show's idea was being explained to the chef, this is what he has says was told to him: "So when you call 911, the cops show up. But if they burn their tuna noodle casserole, you show up." And he was a fan of it from the start, he attests.

Tyler Florence confirmed he had a great time filming for the show, which lasted from 1999 to 2004. He said that it was a pretty hectic experience, but doesn't regret a single minute, explaining: "We traveled around with the same production company for six-and-a-half years, shooting 90 episodes of 'Food 911' a year. ...[We] worked really, really hard." Florence added that the schedule meant he was away for most days out of the year, and living in different hotels. Even though it was hard work, the host always made peace with his choice and figured he may never have this opportunity again. After all, he could always get back to a restaurant job when he felt like it. That decision clearly paid off.