Brooke Williamson Addresses ‘Thoughtful’ Ring Gift From Boyfriend Bobby Flay
Brooke Williamson is speaking out about the dazzling gift she received from her boyfriend, Bobby Flay, that sparked engagement rumors online.
Earlier this month, Flay shared a photo of Williamson’s hand sporting a diamond ring in a since-expired Instagram Story, which he captioned, “It’s casual.” Many wondered whether the piece of jewelry was an engagement ring, and now Williamson is addressing her relationship status with Flay.
Turns out, Williamson and Flay are not engaged, according to People. While speaking with the outlet at the New York City Wine and Food Festival this weekend, Williamson confirmed that “there’s not a huge story behind” her new accessory. “He’s a very generous, wonderful, romantic man, and it was a really thoughtful gift, and that’s what it is,” she clarified.
Sharing why she thinks her and Flay’s relationship works, Williamson added, “I think respect and friendship and a deep understanding of who each other are. Foundational respect for each other.”
Williamson shares a son with her ex-husband, Nick Roberts, to whom she was married from 2007 to 2024. Flay, meanwhile, has been married three times to Debra Ponzek (1991 to 1993), Kate Connelly (1995 to 1998), and Stephanie March (2005 to 2015). Flay shares his only child, daughter Sophie, with Connelly.
Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for NYCWFF
News of the pair’s relationship broke back in March. “They have been friends for a while and recently decided to jump in,” a source told People at the time. “Her divorce last year probably gave them some additional shared experiences, and over the last few weeks, love bloomed.”
Flay gushed over his girlfriend in a June interview with People, stating, “I’ve been friends with Brooke forever. I mean, she and I have been friends for a long time.”
He added, “I love working with Brooke. We have a lot in common. We’re very lucky. We’re both chefs. We both have kids. We’re both parents. … We are both in the restaurant business. We have tons to talk about in terms of the things that we love to do besides just go and have dinner every once in a while. So it’s been really great.”
Flay noted that Williamson is “great to bounce things off of,” stating, “We ask each other’s opinion about things that we’re doing food-wise or restaurant-wise or business-wise, all the time. So it’s really nice to have kind of a best friend that you’re dating that can also be helpful answering the questions that you have.”
The New York City Wine and Food Festival shared a sweet video of the couple dancing together at the event via Instagram on Saturday, October 18. Williamson later shared a snap of Flay dipping her on the dance floor via her own Instagram, writing, “ICYMI @nycwff was especially🔥 this year 💃🕺🏼.”
Williamson will appear onscreen with Flay on the upcoming season of Beat Bobby Flay: Holiday Throwdown, which premieres on November 11 on Food Network.
