Welcome to Flavortown Market

Take a closer look at the set of Guy's Grocery Games: The level of detail is, as Guy would say, off the hook!

From: Food Network Magazine

Photo By: Mark Peterson ©Mark Peterson 2015

Creating the Set

In the real world, building and stocking a new grocery store can take two years. When producers needed to create a life-size, working supermarket for Guy's Grocery Games, they had three weeks. As many fans know from watching the show, the 24,000-square-foot set is a fully functioning grocery store — all 100,000 items have been inventoried and priced and are ready for scanning at the register. "Every chef walks out of here asking, 'Are you going to open one of these in Cincinnati?' or 'Can you bring this place to Texas?' I just say, 'Nope, this is one of a kind,'" notes Triple G's host, Guy Fieri.

Photographs by Mark Peterson

Not Open for Business

Technically, this set is close enough to Guy's house to be his neighborhood supermarket — he lives in Santa Rosa. Production moved here from Los Angeles after the first season because Guy's shooting schedule was so intense. Unfortunately for the cast and crew, the store isn't open for business after a shoot. "I'd do anything to have this be my actual grocery store," says Guy.

Prices

Every product in the market has a working bar code; the price is the average cost in the real world.

Produce

Produce is delivered once or twice a week; any excess food is composted or donated to charity.

Props

The production team's props even include a stack of circulars, just like you'd find in a normal store.

Shelving

The shelves have wider spacing than a typical supermarket so foods won't come crashing down during competition.

Brand Variety

The team stocks many brands "so it doesn't feel like, 'This shelf is brought to you by so-and-so,'" says producer Megan Palmer.

Little Details

No contestant would ever need to write a check, but this platform takes the set to another level.

Store Hours

The store hours on Flavortown Market's door aren't real — this store closes only when shooting is done.

Retro Labels

Producers go out of their way to source items that have cool retro labels — or funny names, like Slow As Molasses.

Ingredient Options

For most challenges, contestants have plenty of ingredient options — like six types of jarred cherries.

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