Bobby Flay Proud of Daughter Sophie’s Reporting on Los Angeles Wildfires

Bobby Flay is beaming with pride.

In an exclusive conversation with PEOPLE, he discussed his daughter Sophie’s impressive coverage of the Los Angeles Wildfires. Sophie, 28, serves as a reporter for ABC7 Los Angeles.

While the fires swept through Southern California starting January 7, Sophie reported from the front lines using a face mask, goggles, and protective gear. More than 80,000 people faced displacement as over 10,000 homes burned. Sophie delivered crucial information on safety and evacuation measures during this critical time.

"She’s fantastic," Bobby stated during the 2025 South Beach Wine & Food Festival. "When the fires occurred, I received countless remarks praising how well she performed while reporting on the front lines. She was spectacular."

Sophie is the daughter of Bobby and his ex-wife, Kate Connelly. Bobby even downloaded the ABC7 app to keep up with her updates continuously. "I was watching her 24 hours a day. She hardly slept during that period. It was intense."

Even amid the chaos, they maintained communication. Bobby mentioned, "The fires were literally behind her. I kept asking, ‘Do you feel safe?’ She assured me, ‘Yeah.’ The next day, a tree fell on their van, but thankfully, they weren’t inside. It was chaotic."

He expressed immense pride in her reporting, saying, "Most importantly, she was conveying vital information to those in need. I was awed by her talent. I thought, ‘Who is this girl?’"

Last year, they attended the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris together. However, Sophie wasn't there for her reporting role. Bobby recalled, "I got an invitation to Paris, and Sophie said, ‘Yeah, I'm your plus one.’" Sophie had some Olympic experience, having interned at USC where she worked for NBC in past games in South Korea and Rio. She considers herself his Olympic expert.

The father-daughter duo also starred in Bobby and Sophie on the Coast, a 2022 Food Network miniseries visiting Los Angeles favorites such as Tartine, Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles, and Jitlada.

The South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF) occurs from Thursday, February 20, to Sunday, February 23.

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