COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A celebrity chef known for his Flavortown catchphrase is opening his first Italian restaurant right in central Ohio.

Guy Fieri was born in Ohio and more than 100,000 people signed a petition to change Columbus’ name to Flavortown.

Now people will have a taste of that flavor at El Dorado Scioto Downs as Fieri opens his latest concept.

The ribbon has been cut and Guy Fieri’s Trattoria is just days from opening in Columbus. NBC4 got a sneak peek ahead of the official opening day.

“Look at this. They drop a little piece of my family, my style, my food,” Fieri said. 

The Ohio-born chef spoke to the group of people at the celebration, thanking the staff for getting the restaurant off the ground and showing off some of the food on the menu.

“This is my kind of energy,” Fieri said. “Some of it’s a little adventurous.”

One of the menu items is a 68-layer lasagna. 

“I feel that if we’re going to go to Flavortown, we need to do it, you know, on my ticket,” Fieri said. 

He is no stranger to the area; he shared he’s experienced what many say is a must in the Buckeye State: an Ohio State football game.

“Oh, my gosh. It was the craziest football game I’ve ever seen it. You guys go, it is such the next level. It’s like it’s NFL plus plus,” he said. 

He said he’s ready for his restaurant to join the food scene in central Ohio.

“I’ve been coming to Columbus for quite a while, and the food scene has just ratcheted up. And even some of the places that might not have been so foodie back in the day have even upped their game,” Fieri said.

The restaurant opens this Sunday, June 2.