The tough-talking British chef who cooked up a story about designing Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s wedding cake has been fired from his US TV show.
After it was discovered that Dinner Impossible star Irvine lied about his credentials — including having designed Diana’s wedding cake — Food Network bosses investigated the situation.
And now they have revealed they have given Irvine the chop and have not renewed his contract.
A statement from Food Network said: “We have not renewed Robert’s contract for future seasons and will be looking for a replacement host.”
Irvine has apologized for his actions, saying: “I was wrong to exaggerate in statements related to my experiences regarding the Royal Family.”
Irvine pretends to be a slick super-spy in the opening titles to hit series ‘Dinner: Impossible’, which promise viewers: “What you are about to see…is real.”
A voiceover introduces his cooking missions by saying: “Robert has tackled some of the toughest culinary challenges in the world – but can he conquer this one?”
In one recent episode that aired in the US, he showed off his six-pack while facing the task of cooking more than 20 native Hawaiian dishes in eight hours. But he was soon under investigation by TV network bosses over his outlandish bragging.
He claimed he was a knight who owns a castle in Scotland, had cooked for presidents and royalty and was pals with Prince Charles.
But he finally came clean to a US newspaper that his involvement in the Royal wedding cake was that he attended the school where it was made and that he picked fruit for it.
Irvine claims to have worked on the cake in his book ‘Mission: Cook!’.
And he previously told the Toronto Sun newspaper: “It was an English fruitcake that weighed over 360 pounds.
“I worked on these elaborate side panels, which told the history of the royal Windsor and Spencer families – in icing!”
But he then told the St Petersburg Times: “I was at the school when that was happening. They made the cake at the school where I was.”
Asked if he helped make it, he said: “Picking fruit and things like that.”
Irvine also confessed he made up a story about being a knight to impress wealthy Americans in St Petersburg, Florida.
He told the St Petersburg Times: “When I first came down there and I met people down there with all this money, it was like trying to keep up with the Joneses.
“I was sitting in a bar one night and that came out. It was stupid.”
A Buckingham Palace spokesman confirmed: “He is not a KCVO Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order and he wasn’t given a castle by the queen of England.”
Irvine had been planning to open two swanky restaurants in St Petersburg but they are still not finished three months past the planned opening. He also allegedly owes thousands to his website consultant and a St Petersburg socialite claims he owes her $100,000.
A spokesman for Food Network, which airs Irvine’s show, said: “It’s unfortunate if Robert embellished the extent of his culinary experiences.”
I like Robert’s shows so much…because of his entertinmets and jokes and because he does very good on shows despite of yellings…
HE admitted a lie about Royals..one lie…but he does not lie about other shows almost over the world. Put him on a different show…could be his own shows with himself or with one “helper”.
Don’t fire him completely off from Food NetWork shows…
My son and I love to watch his shows and his performs and working on different methods of cooking and baking and recipes…keep him please.
Comment by Deaf Sharon Ann — 20 Aug
what a shame, though it is problematic that he lied – he clearly knows what he is doing and is not just a great chef but extremely entertaining.
Comment by Carmen — 10 Mar
I am sorry to hear of the problem with Robert Irvine. I so enjoyed him on the Dinner Impossible show, It was different and refreshing. I will miss the English humor he brought to the show. He is quite personable and did not need to embellish himself to be a hit. Unfortunate, I have soured on the Food Network programs, they seem to be more on traveling, which is ok but it gets old fast, how many of the places the hosts visit will the average American be able to visit? I like the Diner, Drive-Ins and Dives program but that is getting old. How about more “cooking” programs? Thanks and maybe Robert Irvine can redeem himself.
Comment by BARBARA — 04 Mar
I think that everyone lies or “embellishes” their resume and it’s not like the viewres care if he didn’t do those things he said he did. We watch the show because we like it.
He should be allowed back on the show
Comment by anonymous — 04 Mar
The talented Brit has so much to offer. In the future he would do himself justice to just be true to himself, by doing so he will be rewarded. His talent and skills should be enough to exceed. Robert forget the embellisment and pride yourself on your skills and integrity.
Comment by Gladys — 12 Apr
I really hope there will be a change of heart and allow Robert Irvine to continue doing this show. It is truly the best of all the food network shows. I am an avid watcher of the food network, and this show is on the top of my list. Who cares that he didn’t make the cake for the Royal Wedding. He proves his capabilities on each show of Dinner Impossible.
Comment by Evelyn Pierce — 01 May
Robert is a chef not a knight, who care’s. He has done a great job for the “Foodnet Work”, give him a break and his job back!!!!!
Comment by Michelle — 08 Apr
Give me a break! Who doesn’t lie on their resume? Hey, as long as he can do the job! That should be the only thing that matters. In my opinion Dinner Impossible will never be the same without Robert. They need to lighten up and get him back!
Comment by Terri — 30 Apr
Oh, for God’s sake! I’m a female chef and have been since the late ’70’s. There’s not a male chef/cook that hasn’t embellished his resume. It goes hand-in-hand with male bravado, testosterone and general BS. Just give him a slap on the wrist, and let him get back to work. It’s a great show! I always find it exciting, and he always manages to pull off meals in some of the oddest circumstances!
Comment by Carolyn Van Vleck — 30 Apr
Oh, for God’s sake! I’m a female chef and have been since the late ’70’s. There’s not a male chef/cook that hasn’t embellished his resume. It goes hand-in-hand with male bravado, testosterone and general BS. Just give him a slap on the wrist, and let him get back to work. It’s a great show! I always find it exciting, and he always manages to pull off meals in some of the oddest circumstances a!
Comment by Carolyn Van Vleck — 30 Apr
Please, Food Network, keep Robert. He confessed. Seems repentant. Show him mercy, allow him to confess this to your audience and show appreciation for Food Network’s grace and mercy,and keep your audience happy. It is one of my and my brothers’ favorite shows on TV because of its entertainment factor.
Comment by Michele Fielding — 08 May
So what if he lied. We’ve all done it at some point or not. I mean honestly. Besides, his replacement just doesn’t seem right on the show. Robert was a great chef and came clean. Food Network is really starting to crash and burn. Too much travel and things that we really can’t do, and sometimes, we just plain don’t want to. I say they get over it, he’s had his slap on the wrist, and let the show get back to how it should be, with Robert Irvine as host.
Comment by Anonymous — 18 Aug
I will not watch diner Impossible until Robert comes back.
Comment by Anonymous — 20 Aug
If everyone who told a wee lie on their resume got sacked …no one would have a job. Who cares he only picked fruit for that cake! The mans shows entertaining…end of story. Do yourselves a favour and get him back!!!
Comment by Kevin Robb — 05 Apr