Food Network star Guy Fieri’s visit to Gainesville in mid-December was more than just a promotional stop for his and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Sammy Hagar’s tequila brand, Santo Spirits. The “Mayor of Flavortown,” as he is known, also stopped at several Gainesville restaurants for the filming of his signature show, “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.”
According to an Alachua County press release, the first episode to include a Gainesville eatery is titled “African, Sicilian & Sausage,” and will feature Fehrenbacher’s Meats & Eats, a butcher shop, retail store and deli located in the 4th Ave Foot Park. The show will air Friday at 9 p.m. on the Food Network.
According to the release, filming for the show also took place at Bingo Deli & Pub, Germain’s Chicken Sandwiches, Humble Wood Fire Bagel Shop, The Paper Bag Deli and Uppercrust Bakery.
Visit Gainesville, Alachua County partnered with Working Food Kitchens, a local nonprofit whose mission is to “cultivate and sustain a resilient local food community” to introduce the “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives” production team to local culinary entrepreneurs, the release said. The production team was provided with gift bags, which included food samples and local information.
The release notes that the county in recent years has served as the backdrop for “dozens of diverse projects, including a major streaming series, documentaries, and commercial shoots for local, national, and international brands.”
“Our county’s unique blend of scenic beauty, rich culture, and supportive infrastructure makes it an ideal location for filmmakers,” said Tourism and Economic Development Director Jessica Hurov in the release. “We are committed to fostering a welcoming environment for the film industry.”
