Coaster Photo
Area residents turned out to meet Celebrity Chef Guy Fieri at Low Dive in Asbury Park May 3.
By WILLIAM CLARK
For a brief period Fri., May 3 Asbury Park became Flavortown, USA.
Celebrity Chef Guy Fieri made an appearance at Low Dive on the boardwalk to promote his tequila brand Santo.
Over 600 people lined up outside to purchase a bottle of the liquor with the hopes of receiving a picture and autograph from Fieri.
Fieri stood in front of a branded backdrop of the liquor and bar wearing his signature sunglasses.
Manager Stevie Ferrera was outside directing people and fielding questions about the event. She said the bar had 600 bottles ready for sale but expected the number to swell past that.
BarCo Brands, the company that owns Low Dive, The Break and Swimcrush in Asbury Park, Deal Lake Bar Co in Loch Arbour and Baseline Social on the former Fort Monmouth brought in Fieri to continue building up its events, Ferrara said. The company wants to “spice it up,” according to Ferrara.
The event fell in line with the bar’s brand, Ferrara said, which is Good Times At All Times. Ferrara said patrons can expect more events in the future.
Live music was offered at The Break, which neighbors Low Dive. Fieri was scheduled to begin signing at 5 p.m. The line already snaked from the boardwalk side of the building down the walkway towards Ocean Avenue.
Some fans were confused about a link on social media that offered tickets. Low Dive tried to clarify in its own posts that any posts about tickets were merely to gauge interest. Following posts all stated that the event was first come, first serve.
Ferrara said the company was not affiliated with Low Dive.
Fieri’s time in Asbury Park was not limited to the boardwalk. He posted a video on his social media later that night of him with a wedding party on Cookman Avenue as the bride took a swig of the tequila he was promoting.
Recently Fieri has been making appearances to promote his new tequila. The chef is best known for his show “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” which airs on Food Network. He has highlighted various eateries around the Garden State during his over 500 episodes of the show.