Pat Neely gives back to Memphis children

Celebrity chef Pat Neely made it big across the country as part of a cooking duo. Now, he's speaking for the first time about his divorce and what he has planned for the future.

"I had a wonderful marriage for so many years, and Gina and I are good friends and will continue to do so, and pursue our careers," said Neely.

WMC Action News 5 caught up with him while he was giving back to kids at the Boys and Girls Club. Neely says giving back feels good, but giving back in Memphis feels better.

Even after filing for divorce, Neely says he's extremely fortunate. Pat and Gina Neely, who rose to national fame on Food Network's "Down Home with the Neelys" filed for divorce after 20 years of marriage, citing "irreconcilable differences."

Neely says now he is focused on one thing: "What kind of impact that we can have, what kind of example we set."

That's what brought him to the Bernal E. Smith Boys and Girls Club on Ross Road on Wednesday. Neely partnered with Family Dollar to bring Christmas cheer to more than a 130 kids. Along with an $8,000 donation, each kid received a bag of gifts.

Neely says in each kid he sees a part of himself.

"A product of their own community that once had the struggles that they are enduring right now," said Neely.

Neely says he is pushing harder in his career and at the same time enjoying his true passion of giving back.

The chef says he will continue to write books, make appearances on shows, but that he has no plans to stray away from his roots of cooking.

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