Photo: Christina Perez/Instagram
The Food Network star turned 57 on Friday and in honor of his big day, Pérez penned a sweet tribute to him on social media.
“Happy birthday to the man who keeps me laughing and makes my life more delicious and sparkly than I could ever have imagined,” Pérez, 40, wrote on Instagram.
Her caption came alongside a video of the two, smiling sweetly as they posed for a selfie. The clip ended with Pérez planting a kiss on Flay’s temple.
Flay’s daughter Sophie, 25, also had love for the celebrity chef on Instagram. “Happy Birthday Dad!!” the ABC news correspondent said, captioning a pic of the two. “You deserve all the coconut cake and gelato today!!! 🥥🍰🥳🍦.”
PEOPLE confirmed that Flay and Pérez were dating back in November, after months of Flay playing coy about her identity.
“She’s going to remain nameless for now, but thanks for asking,” he toldSavannah Guthrieduring aTodayon-air cooking demonstration in September.
The couple made their public debut on Nov. 5 at the 2021 Breeders' Cup World Championship at Del Mar Racetrack in California, where Flay’s horse Pizza Bianca finished first.
After the race, Flay called it “a dream come true” to share the experience with his family and friends, including his girlfriend.
She’s a “smart, sweet, and stylish” woman, a source previously told PEOPLE.
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Meanwhile, Flay has another thing to celebrate this birthday.
Last month, Flay signed a new exclusive three-year contract with the Food Network that would keep him there once hiscurrent, three-year contract expiresat the end of 2021.
“I’m thrilled to extend my relationship with Food Network and Discovery,” Flay said in the statement to PEOPLE. “Although these talks to renew took a little longer than expected, the important thing is that both sides are happy that we can now build on an already rock-solid foundation.”
“Stay tuned for some incredibly exciting new shows as I promise to take food and cooking to places we’ve never imagined before,” the four-time Emmy winner added.
source: people.com
