Everything We Know About Alex Guarnaschelli's Ex-Fiance
Food Network chef extraordinaire Alex Guarnaschelli is known for wowing fans with her food stylings and appearing on shows like "Chopped" and "The Kitchen." She's published multiple cookbooks, earned the title Iron Chef, and was head chef at the popular New York City restaurant Butter.
The chef posts frequently to Instagram, showing followers photos of her daughter and delicious dishes, but aside from that, she keeps her personal life private. We do know, however, that she and her fiancé Michael Castellon called it quits after a five-year engagement.
And while it's easy to drum up information about Guarnaschelli's career as a chef, it's a little bit harder to find out about those in her circle. We took the liberty of doing it for you, though, so you can know all there is to know, or at least all that we know about her former flame. This is the untold truth of Alex Guarnaschelli's ex Michael Castellon.
Michael Castellon is a chef, too
Alex Guarnaschelli was not the only competent cook in the relationship. Her ex-fiance, Michael Castellon is a professional chef, too. Castellon has his own restaurant, and, like his ex, has competed on Food Network.
Castellon has been featured on a couple of different shows, including "Guy's Grocery Games," and "Iron Chef America," but he is best known for his appearance on "Chopped." Castellon appeared in the episode "Espresso Express,” where coffee grounds were the secret ingredient.
Castellon took the competition very seriously, and at one moment said, "I want to cry," after realizing he had accidentally left the braised fennel off his dish. Everything worked out in the end for him though, and he won the episode, taking home a prize of $10,000. Castellon's ex-fiancé did not appear on that episode, despite being one of the show's regular judges, so we're certain there was no favoritism shown to him.
Castellon and Guarnaschelli met at his restaurant
While we're sure the break up was for the best, we can't help but be a little disappointed, especially when considering how Alex Guarnaschelli and Michael Castellon met. Their meet-cute was straight out of a romantic comedy, and is a story still worth sharing despite the fate of their relationship.
Guarnaschelli shared with People magazine exactly how things went down. "I was out to dinner with a friend, and at a restaurant, and I knew the waiter, and I was eating dinner and I said, 'This steak is just so good.'" She added, "And the waiter, my friend, said, 'Oh my God, my best friend is the cook, the chef, here. He's amazing. You got to meet him.'"
She said about the arrangement to meet him, "I went in to meet him and tell him the steak was delicious and that was it." Go in for a steak and leave with a love interest? Sounds like a good night to us.
Details on how he popped the question
Seriously, all the details of Alex Guarnaschelli and Michael Castellon's former relationship are straight out of a romantic comedy. We've noted how idyllic their meeting was, and their engagement story was just as quirky and endearing. We're not sure Nora Ephron could have penned such romantic elements.
Guarnaschelli told People magazine the details of their engagement, and it's quite an adorable story. Guarnaschelli explained that Castellon, while driving, pulled his car to the side of the road telling his then-girlfriend that he had seen a stray dog. The two got out of the car to investigate and Guarnaschelli was told the dog was actually a baby deer.
Guarnaschelli continued explaining the story, noting "He's like, 'Do you see it?' And I'm like, 'No, where's the baby? You promised me a baby deer.' And he goes, there's no deer.' I turn, and I look and he's on one knee."
The chef finished the story by adding, "And then he goes, 'There's no deer.' He's like, 'This is why I have to marry you because you just believe me every time.' He said, 'Will you marry me?' And he gave me the ring."
Castellon gave his ex-fiance a non-traditional engagement ring
The two not only had an adorable engagement story, they also had a beautiful piece of jewelry to mark their former upcoming nuptials. Instead of proposing with a traditional diamond, Michael Castellon used an emerald ring. Per People, the ring is a family heirloom, and Guarnaschelli shared the news of their engagement via a since-deleted Instagram post with the caption "Ok @chefmike808 , you're on!", including a diamond ring emoji in the adorable message.
Had the engagement continued, Guarnaschelli and Castellon's wedding would've been an affair to remember. The two had their sights set on an enormous wedding. "We're not in any hurry, but I want to have a blowout. I want a tri-state rager," Guarnaschelli said of her former plans for her wedding. We can imagine it would have been nothing short of amazing, replete with unbelievable food and plenty of Food Network celebrity chefs in attendance. We just wonder who they would have hired for the catering!
Castellon loves his dog
Michael Castellon is a friend to the animals. The chef is active on his Instagram account and often posts photos of his dog, Waya. In fact, Waya might be featured on his page more than the food he cooks. While Castellon doesn't give too many details, he often includes #servicedog in his captions, indicating she's been trained to aid a person with a disability, per ADA.
Castellon's dog is a Belgian Malinois. Dogs of that breed are known for being very trainable and protective dogs. The American Kennel Club, describes the breed as being "a world-class worker" that has a strong bond with its owner.
Castellon's dog Waya is often seen in photos looking either at her owner or pleasant vistas, and is often referred to as #BestFriend in Instagram photo captions to describe the nature of their relationship. Castellon and Waya have proven the old adage to be true: dogs are a man's best friend.
Castellon loves pasta and tattoos
Every chef has a signature dish. And while Alex Guarnaschelli was attracted to chef Michael Castellon because of his steak, judging by his Instagram, we think we would be attracted to his pasta. The chef often posts mouthwatering photos of the delicious food he is cooking, and if the food tastes as good as it looks, it's got to be out of this world.
Some of Castellon's most delectable-looking photos include a bolognese, a cacio e pepe, and a fettuccine topped with truffles. But the deliciousness doesn't end there. Castellon has also shared photos of a variety of seafood dishes, like prawns with capers, scallops, and stone crab toast.
Castellon is clearly a man of many interests. Not only does he love to cook, but he also has an affinity for tattoos. Many of his Instagram posts show some of the ink Castellon has, and he also has an Instagram story highlight reel dedicated to the body art.
Some of his recipes have been published
If after watching him dominate on "Chopped," and hungrily scrolling through his Instagram feed, you may have wanted to try some of Michael Castellon's recipes. If so, you're in luck. The chef has taken to publications to share his food genius, including Food Network Magazine.
On Food Network Magazine, Castellon shared his Joey's Cafe-Style Eggs Benedict recipe to honor Joey's Cafe in Port St. Lucie Florida, a restaurant he used to work at. "They gave proper respect to the simplest dishes," he said of the eatery.
Another recipe he contributed is for Date Muffins. As it says in the recipe description, "These muffins are perfect for Valentine's Day. 'I love the idea of 'date' muffins,'" which is a little heartbreaking to read after his breakup with Guarnaschelli.
Castellon has also posted a few photos of his food on #TheFeedFeed, including two of what we can only assume are stellar tuna recipes.
There are no hard feelings between Castellon and Guarnaschelli
Again, we are a little sad to see this celebrity chef relationship end, but we are happy to know that neither party holds any ill will toward the other. While Guarnaschelli has been a little more candid about her feelings post-breakup, Castello has shared his feelings, as well. The "Chopped" champion told Closer Weekly that he is "wishing her nothing but the best" after going their separate ways.
Guarnaschelli talked to her followers through her Instagram account to share her post-break-up feelings (per Closer), saying "Some of my biggest regrets have only happened in the last couple of years. I honestly haven't been able to process them all well or gracefully. I use cooking, therapy, exercise, friends, sleep, water, time, crying and cake for healing." We wish both chefs nothing but the best, and know that if food mends a broken heart, there's no one more equipped than Guarnaschelli and Castellon to make the stitches.