[title]
Bobby Flay is lending his culinary skills to the feline world: the uber-famous chef and TV host just launched a new campaign to help the animal community through his premium cat food brand, Made by Nacho, created years ago as an ode to his late pet Nacho.
“I started the company when Nacho was still here,” Flay reminisces with Time Out New York. “He inspired me to do something about feeding cats. I spent my entire career helping people get food on their tables in so many different ways. I always tell this story: one day, I just felt like Nacho whispered to me, ‘You like us cats so much, so why not us also?’”
Now through Friday, 50% of Made by Nacho profits will be donated to Paws Cross Animal Rescue, an animal shelter in Westchester County that’s clearly dear to Flay.
Sitting down with us, Flay got to talking about his love for the animals, the best way to care for them in small NYC apartments and, of course, his favorite restaurants in town.
RECOMMENDED: Dan Amboyer of ‘Younger’ talks about his new Off Broadway play and raising kids in NYC
What is it about cats that you love so much?
“I am an only child and my mom always had two or three cats in my house so they were like my siblings. They were who I would talk to in my room when I was alone.”
Tell us about your cat food brand, Made by Nacho.
“I devise the food with a pet nutritionist and it's all about balance in terms of nutrition but it also has to be palatable. I wanted to do that for cats, who are very narrow in terms of what they eat. They are carnivores, so it's about balancing beef, chicken and fish with the right things.
I took something that was a human trend—bone broth—and utilized it throughout my recipes because hydration for cats is the most important thing.”
What are some things that cat owners who live in small NYC apartments should keep in mind when tending to them?
“Make sure that there is constantly running water in your apartment. Cats want to see little fountains of water so that they'll be enticed to drink. Also: it’s important to carve out even a small place for them in your home that they can keep returning to.”
What are some of your favorite restaurants in NYC?
“I'm the last person to go to a new restaurant because I know it’s hard and it takes repetition to be successful so I want to give them time.
Generally speaking, Minetta Tavern is like my clubhouse: the food is always great and it offers this very New York vibe. I always tell out-of-towners to go there.
I like Via Carota, a classic Roman trattoria, for Italian food.
The Grill is another quintessential New York place where I like to eat a steak and drink a martini.
I haven’t been to Gjelina yet but someone just told me they went with a friend and loved it and I keep hearing that.”
Where do you like to hang out in NYC?
“I’ve recently rediscovered Central Park. I was born and raised on the Upper East Side and always took it for granted. New Yorkers get complacent and forget to take advantage of what’s here.
I also hadn’t been to Broadway in a year, so, the other day, I bought a ticket to Glengarry Glen Ross and it was amazing. My father taught me this: he once said that if you're a single person, there’s always a single ticket waiting or you—even if it’s the hardest ticket to snag in town.”