Guy Fieri Knew Son Ryder, 19, Had 'Grown So Much' When He Called His Grandma 'Just Out of the Blue' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Guy Fieri with mom Penny; Ryder Fieri.Photo:guyfieri/Instagram; Tim Nwachukwu/Getty

guyfieri/Instagram; Tim Nwachukwu/Getty

Ryder Fieriis keeping his dad on his toes, in the best way possible.“Ryder has grown so much in the last six months, it is mind-blowing,” Guy Fieri told PEOPLE while announcing hisannual Super Bowl party,Guy’s Flavortown Tailgate.Ryder, 19, is in hisfirst year at San Diego State University, where he is enrolled in the hospitality program and works with the school’s basketball team.“Maybe it’s that thing of going off to college and starting to realize what home life was and so forth. He’s just been super, way more family oriented and attentive. Not that he always wasn’t but he’s just grown up so much,” adds Guy, who is also dad toolder son, Hunter, 28. “I am in awe, I really am.“Guy Fieri with son Ryder.guyfieri/InstagramThere was one moment in particular when the Food Network star realized just how far Ryder has come.“My mom called me, almost in tears, and said that Ryder had called her the other day just out of the blue,” recalls Guy ofRyder’s grandmother, Penny. “Just to call and see how she was doing and say hi. And I’m like, you can tell your kid a million times, ‘It’s your grandma’s birthday, make sure you call’ or ‘Hey, have you talked to your grandma recently?’ And now he’s doing stuff like that. So he sure is growing up.“Guy Fieri with mom Penny and son Hunter.guyfieri/InstagramGuy’s mom is a recent widow. Hisfather Jim died nearly one year agoat age 81. Jim and Penny owned multiple stores in Ferndale, Calif., where Guy and his late sister Morgan were raised.Ryder is showing his growth at college, too. “He works for the basketball team over there at San Diego State, and the commitment that he has working on that team — getting up early and going to all that — he really loves it,” according to Dad. “He’s really tuned in. He’s doing great.“Rydercelebrated his 19th birthdayon New Year’s Eve with a “low-key” trip to Mexico with his girlfriend and a few friends. “That’s what he asked for,” says Guy.There’s a good chance Ryder will also join his family in New Orleans for the Super Bowl and Guy’s Flavortown Tailgate on Feb. 9. The free event will feature food from restaurants shown onDiners, Drive-Ins and Dives,plus performances fromDiplo,Flavor Flavand theCowboy Mouth.Registration is open now.

Ryder Fieriis keeping his dad on his toes, in the best way possible.

“Ryder has grown so much in the last six months, it is mind-blowing,” Guy Fieri told PEOPLE while announcing hisannual Super Bowl party,Guy’s Flavortown Tailgate.

Ryder, 19, is in hisfirst year at San Diego State University, where he is enrolled in the hospitality program and works with the school’s basketball team.

“Maybe it’s that thing of going off to college and starting to realize what home life was and so forth. He’s just been super, way more family oriented and attentive. Not that he always wasn’t but he’s just grown up so much,” adds Guy, who is also dad toolder son, Hunter, 28. “I am in awe, I really am.”

Guy Fieri with son Ryder.guyfieri/Instagram

guyfieri/Instagram

There was one moment in particular when the Food Network star realized just how far Ryder has come.

“My mom called me, almost in tears, and said that Ryder had called her the other day just out of the blue,” recalls Guy ofRyder’s grandmother, Penny. “Just to call and see how she was doing and say hi. And I’m like, you can tell your kid a million times, ‘It’s your grandma’s birthday, make sure you call’ or ‘Hey, have you talked to your grandma recently?’ And now he’s doing stuff like that. So he sure is growing up.”

Guy Fieri with mom Penny and son Hunter.guyfieri/Instagram

Guy’s mom is a recent widow. Hisfather Jim died nearly one year agoat age 81. Jim and Penny owned multiple stores in Ferndale, Calif., where Guy and his late sister Morgan were raised.

Ryder is showing his growth at college, too. “He works for the basketball team over there at San Diego State, and the commitment that he has working on that team — getting up early and going to all that — he really loves it,” according to Dad. “He’s really tuned in. He’s doing great.”

Rydercelebrated his 19th birthdayon New Year’s Eve with a “low-key” trip to Mexico with his girlfriend and a few friends. “That’s what he asked for,” says Guy.

There’s a good chance Ryder will also join his family in New Orleans for the Super Bowl and Guy’s Flavortown Tailgate on Feb. 9. The free event will feature food from restaurants shown onDiners, Drive-Ins and Dives,plus performances fromDiplo,Flavor Flavand theCowboy Mouth.Registration is open now.

source: people.com