Once again, local chef and Warren resident Eli Dunn will step onto the national stage, appearing this Thursday, July 14 on “Beat Bobby Flay”, airing at 9:30 p.m. on the Food Network.

Each half-hour episode of Beat Bobby Flay begins with two chefs competing to create a dish using an ingredient chosen by Flay. The winner of that challenge goes to compete against Flay, with the winner chosen by a panel of judges in a blind taste test.

This will be Dunn’s fourth Food Network appearance; he’s appeared on the competition show Chopped three times, twice bringing home the top prize.

A non-disclosure agreement prevents Dunn from sharing much about the episode in advance — in fact, he only just learned of the air date a few days ago.

“The cloak of secrecy just lifted,” he said, noting that he can’t share any details about the food or the outcome. He could comment on the experience in general terms, however. “It was incredible,” he said. “It was a lot of fun, and I think my personality shone through.”

Dunn spoke about Bobby Flay, a four-time Daytime Emmy award winner and restaurateur who achieved celebrity chef status through various spots on the Food Network since the early 2000s.

“Bobby Flay is super kind and gracious, down to earth. It was amazing meeting him,” Dunn said. “The crew was wonderful too.”

Dunn learned his trade from the best — his mother was the proprietor of Phoebe’s in Seekonk for many years; Dunn cooked at Warren’s late Three Rivers Cafe and the Beehive Cafe in Bristol, before opening Eli’s Kitchen, his much-loved establishment on Market Street in Warren.

He closed Eli’s in late 2020, selling the business to Sam Duling and Joanna Ray, who operate Hunky Dory, a successful restaurant featuring local food with a southern influence.

Since then, Dunn has shifted focus to private cheffing, an endeavor that has kept him busy, and ultimately, reminded him why he loves cooking. That is still going well, but when it comes to the restaurant business, Dunn is almost certainly not done.

“When I sold Eli’s I really thought that was it, but lately I have been thinking I would like to open another,” something he says he hopes will happen in 2023.

Beat Bobby Flay, featuring Chef Eli Dunn, will air on the Food Network tomorrow, July 14 at 9:30 p.m.