Sonoma County’s own Guy Fieri is speaking out after a viral video sparked social media outrage and calls for a Food Network boycott.
The Press Democrat reports the clip shows the celebrity chef chatting and shaking hands with controversial influencers Andrew and Tristan Tate at a UFC event in Miami this past Saturday.
The Tate brothers currently face serious allegations in Romania, including human trafficking and sexual exploitation, which they deny. Critics slammed Fieri for the friendly interaction, questioning his association with figures tied to the “manosphere.”
On Tuesday, Fieri took to social media to state he is “devastated” by the backlash, claiming he had no prior knowledge of the brothers or their reputation before the encounter.
While fans remain divided, the Food Network’s parent company has yet to issue an official comment on the matter.
