Frankie Celenza

Frankie Celenza was born in New York City in 1986. He graduated from Kent School in 2005 and later from New York University Tisch School of the Arts in 2009. His early experiences, including navigating budget-conscious cooking during his college years, laid the foundation for his professional culinary approach. Celenza began his career by working as a private cook for individuals in finance and sports, and also gained experience in professional kitchens.

Celenza gained recognition as the creator, producer, and host of the show “Frankie Cooks” on NYC Life, first airing in 2013. He further established his presence in digital media and television through numerous video series on YouTube and Tastemade. His show “Struggle Meals,” launched with Tastemade, specifically focuses on helping viewers prepare satisfying and affordable meals, often for under $2 a serving. This concept was inspired by his personal approach to cooking healthy food at a low cost during university. In his programs, Celenza emphasizes resourceful cooking, utilizing pantry staples and minimizing waste, making cooking accessible to a broad demographic through his humorous and educational style.

His career has been marked by significant acknowledgments, including multiple New York Emmy Awards for his programs, starting in 2013 and 2014. A turning point came in 2022 when he won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lifestyle/Culinary Show Host for “Struggle Meals.” Beyond “Struggle Meals,” Celenza has hosted other Tastemade productions, such as “Frankie vs the Internet,” which premiered its first season in 2021 and involves chefs creating dishes based on online food trends, and “Worth the Hype,” a food and travel series where he explores culinary scenes across the United States. In July 2025, Celenza published his first cookbook, “EAT! Easy, Affordable, Tasty,” through Union Square & Co.