Guy Fieri on Son Hunter’s Role on Tournament of Champions: ‘He Continues to Gain Confidence’ (Exclusive)

Guy Fieri is one proud dad.

Tournament of Champions recently returned for its sixth season, giving the Food Network host a chance to work alongside his older son Hunter Fieri, 28, who interviews the winning chefs backstage on the competition series.

“Hunter and I work together almost every day,” Guy, 57, told PEOPLE at the 2025 South Beach Wine & Food Festival on Feb. 21.

“He runs our wine company and he also works closely with me with the tequila company,” the culinary star continues, referring to their Hunt & Ryde wine company and Santo Tequila.

 “My sons are my best friends,” adds Guy, who also shares 19-year-old Ryder with wife Lori Fieri. “My wife has been an incredible partner in life and the way we raised our kids. But Hunter’s doing really good on TV. He continues to gain confidence. My youngest son, Ryder’s in college in San Diego, so he makes it in once in a while. But Hunter’s doing a great job.”

Guy, who’s hosted Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives since 2007, could even see Hunter stepping into his shoes on the long-running series.

“I don’t know that I’ll do Triple D forever,” he says. “Maybe he’ll take it over. We’ll see. But it’s pretty great.”

Guy also gave an update on Hunter’s upcoming wedding to his fiancée Tara Bernstein.

He explains that the bride and groom are struggling to narrow down the guest list for the celebration at Guy’s Northern California home later this year. 

“They’re both such big personalities, and they both have a lot of friends,” Guy said. “I mean, that’s the toughest thing. [How] those two [will] whittle it down to 350. I have no clue.”

In November, Guy told PEOPLE that he’s letting the couple, who got engaged on Thanksgiving in 2023, handle the details of the ceremony.

“I am just in that capacity of call me when you need me. Because that’s their dream, their thing, their deal,” he said. “I’ve been doing my responsibilities of getting the ranch to tip-top shape.”

However, he did share some advice for his son and future daughter-in-law.

“I tell them that it’s their day and it’s their time. I just hope that they make it their choices, and not get steered by anybody else of how it needs to be. I just want them to be in the moment,” he said. “Sounds very Northern California hippie-ish of me, but that’s what my little sister Morgan would always say to me is just, ‘Be in the moment. Make sure that it’s you and it’s what you want. And don’t make it somebody else’s wedding. It’s your wedding.'”