TONY BURNS
American Wiener Co-Host
If Guy Fieri was less self-aware, more universally lovable, and carried a pair of tap shoes with him at all times.
Tony Burns was born Theodore “Teddy” Bernstein on the North Side of Chicago. Tony has been the host of AMERICAN WIENER for the past nine years. Tony first got his start in entertainment at the age of seven when he would tap dance for his mother’s bridge club at the Gershwin Rec Center. Throughout his youth, Tony searched for ways to entertain.
When Tony turned seven, life took an unexpected turn when his mother disappeared after what appeared to be a bridge club accident. Shortly after, much to the frustration of the Chicago PD, his Dad skipped town. It is presumed Mrs. Birnbaum is dead, but a body was never found.
Without a place he called home, Tony "couch surfed" at his friends houses. He took refuge in the predictability in his school schedule, friends and food.
One of Tony's cherished hang outs was a local hot dog joint, Rags to Wieners, where he would stop before school to get their famous egg and hot dog breakfast sandwich. Owner and operator, ‘Uncle’ Manny, noticed Tony’s daily visits and before long he started working at RtoW. Tony, looking for a parent figure in his life, and Manny looking for the son he never had, they formed a bond. Sharing a mutual love for tap dancing, black and white movies and wieners.
Unfortunately, Uncle Manny had an untimely passing before Tony graduated from high school. In a shocking twist, Manny did not leave ‘Rags to Wieners’ to Tony, instead it was given to Manny’s distant brother from Ohio. In Manny’s will, it states that “Tony, I have dreams for you to become a fine chef, and not stuck in a wiener stand like me. So I leave you funds to attend the Belmont Culinary Academy in Chicago.”
Tony didn’t excel academically or technically in culinary school, however, he was adored by his classmates. Tony found himself with a degree, but no job prospects.
Up until this point, the world viewed dining as intimidating and only for the elite. Professor Roughage saw an opportunity to bridge the two worlds together with Tony and his natural showmanship combined with his ability to eat food.
It started with the local cable TV show Dining out with Burns which led to the fondue focused regionally syndicated show Foods on Fire. It was a hit and Tony had found his niche.
It was on the set of Foods on Fire where Tony met producer Melissa ‘Mel’ Rodgers. During filming, a slip of the fondue fork started an actual fire, if not for Mel’s quick actions, Tony might not be here today. Ever since, Tony has only trusted her with his shows.
In 2007, the Foods and Ale Network approached him about being the creative lead and co-host for a new show. This was Tony’s chance to honor his late uncle Mic and AMERICAN WIENER was born.
American Wiener Co-Host
If Guy Fieri was less self-aware, more universally lovable, and carried a pair of tap shoes with him at all times.
- LIKES: Off-Broadway musicals, cruise ships, the Chicago Cubs, being recognized by strangers, his fans, making people laugh, signing made up songs
- DISLIKES: waiting in line, when people sing off key, bad tap dancing , having to introduce himself, when no one laughs at his jokes, when he doesn’t feel understood or important
- PUMP-UP JAM: ‘Rock Star’ by Smashmouth (with a choreographed a tap routine)
Tony Burns was born Theodore “Teddy” Bernstein on the North Side of Chicago. Tony has been the host of AMERICAN WIENER for the past nine years. Tony first got his start in entertainment at the age of seven when he would tap dance for his mother’s bridge club at the Gershwin Rec Center. Throughout his youth, Tony searched for ways to entertain.
When Tony turned seven, life took an unexpected turn when his mother disappeared after what appeared to be a bridge club accident. Shortly after, much to the frustration of the Chicago PD, his Dad skipped town. It is presumed Mrs. Birnbaum is dead, but a body was never found.
Without a place he called home, Tony "couch surfed" at his friends houses. He took refuge in the predictability in his school schedule, friends and food.
One of Tony's cherished hang outs was a local hot dog joint, Rags to Wieners, where he would stop before school to get their famous egg and hot dog breakfast sandwich. Owner and operator, ‘Uncle’ Manny, noticed Tony’s daily visits and before long he started working at RtoW. Tony, looking for a parent figure in his life, and Manny looking for the son he never had, they formed a bond. Sharing a mutual love for tap dancing, black and white movies and wieners.
Unfortunately, Uncle Manny had an untimely passing before Tony graduated from high school. In a shocking twist, Manny did not leave ‘Rags to Wieners’ to Tony, instead it was given to Manny’s distant brother from Ohio. In Manny’s will, it states that “Tony, I have dreams for you to become a fine chef, and not stuck in a wiener stand like me. So I leave you funds to attend the Belmont Culinary Academy in Chicago.”
Tony didn’t excel academically or technically in culinary school, however, he was adored by his classmates. Tony found himself with a degree, but no job prospects.
Up until this point, the world viewed dining as intimidating and only for the elite. Professor Roughage saw an opportunity to bridge the two worlds together with Tony and his natural showmanship combined with his ability to eat food.
It started with the local cable TV show Dining out with Burns which led to the fondue focused regionally syndicated show Foods on Fire. It was a hit and Tony had found his niche.
It was on the set of Foods on Fire where Tony met producer Melissa ‘Mel’ Rodgers. During filming, a slip of the fondue fork started an actual fire, if not for Mel’s quick actions, Tony might not be here today. Ever since, Tony has only trusted her with his shows.
In 2007, the Foods and Ale Network approached him about being the creative lead and co-host for a new show. This was Tony’s chance to honor his late uncle Mic and AMERICAN WIENER was born.