September 23, 2008) of The Biggest Loser: Families, taking the "worst" cook of each pair shopping and teaching them to prepare healthy recipes. DiSpirito was a contestant on season seven of Dancing with the Stars and was paired with professional ballroom dancer Karina Smirnoff. He was eliminated on the October 14, 2008, episode and placed ninth overall. In 2006, DiSpirito performed a public service announcement for DoSomething to promote food drives for schools. On May 3, 2010, DiSpirito appeared as himself on the ABC television series Castle in the episode "Food to Die For." On June 15, 2011, DiSpirito debuted as host of a weekly reality TV cooking competition, titled Rocco's Dinner Party, on Bravo TV. DiSpirito appeared as a celebrity contestant on the June 21, 2012, episode of the Fox dating game show The Choice. DiSpirito hosted the syndicated television program Now Eat This! with Rocco Dispirito, which debuted on September 15, 2012. In 2013, DiSpirito hosted the Food Network reality show Restaurant Divided, where he went to struggling restaurants where the owners had two differing visions and then picked which concept would save the restaurant. On August 20, 2017, DiSpirito appeared on celebrity chef Guy Fieri's Guy's Grocery Games - Superstar Tournament Part 1, competing against other celebrity chefs for a $40,000 first prize donated to their chosen charity. DiSpirito made it to the finale and beat out the previous tournament winner Iron Chef Alex Guarnaschelli. DiSpirito has appeared on Guy's Grocery Games and has also appeared on Tournament of Champions, both which are hosted by his friend Guy Fieri. He has also made appearances on Guy's Ranch Kitchen. After a lengthy hiatus as a restaurateur, DiSpirito returned to the kitchen in 2019 as the chef at the Standard Grill in New York City's Meatpacking District. In October 2019 it was announced that DiSpirito was no longer with the restaurant. Health In 2015, DiSpirito underwent an emergency surgery, a discectomy spinal surgery for his acute sciatica. The surgery left DiSpirito in a wheelchair while he learned to walk again. Awards James Beard Foundation Award for his book Flavor 1999, America's Best New Chef by Food & Wine magazine 2000, Most Exciting Young Chef by Gourmet magazine 2000, Nominated Best Chef: New York City by James Beard Foundation 2001, Nominated Best Chef: New York City by James Beard Foundation 2002, Sexiest Chef Alive by People 2003 Nominated Best Chef: