Take that, Bobby Flay: Charlotte chef beats him at his own game

Upstream Executive Chef Sam Diminich won Food Network’s “Beat Bobby Flay” on Thursday night — a feat few chefs have been able to pull off.

The show pits two chefs against each other to see who the judges think has the best shot at beating Bobby Flay. Diminich first faced off against Philadelphia chef Aliza Green, a James Beard Award winner known to be a pioneer in farm-to-table cooking, and won.

He bested Bobby Flay with a Lobster Risotto, a dish he’s well practiced at. Upstream’s menu includes a Maine Lobster and Bay Scallop Risotto, featuring a pine nut-fennel relish, kale and Thai basil vinaigrette ($32).

Diminich, who is from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, grew up working in restaurants run by his father and grandfather before he graduated from the Culinary Institute of America. He’s also worked in restaurants in Philadelphia, as well as BLT Steak and now-closed Arpa in Charlotte.

The episode will air again Jan. 25 at 3 p.m.

Other Charlotte chefs have gotten national attention after competing on Food Network shows. Chris Coleman, who’s about to open The Goodyear House in NoDa, became a “Chopped” champion in November, and brother and sister Dalton Espaillat and Dairelyn Glunt paired up with cousin Odette Espaillat on “Food Family Showdown.”