Estimated Net Worth: $1-5 million
Restaurant: N/A
As Seen On: Calorie Commando, Weighing In
Juan-Carlos Cruz rose to fame when he lost 43 pounds on national television and transitioned his expertise from pastry chef to low-calorie cooking. He later became the host of two shows — “Calorie Commando” and “Weighing In.” Sadly, things took a turn for the worse. In 2010, Cruz was arrested in Los Angeles for reportedly hiring three homeless men to kill his wife, Jennifer Campell. Cruz didn’t even deny the attempted murder. He pleaded no contest to a charge of soliciting murder.
Cruz played his cards right by pleading no contest to the charge of soliciting murder. In this way, he was able to avoid being charged with attempted murder which would have led to a much longer sentence. His bail was set at $2 million and after the conviction, he began his nine-year prison sentence at the California Correctional Institute in Tehachapi.
Yotam Ottolenghi
Estimated Net Worth: $2 million
Restaurant: Ottolenghi
As Seen On: Ottolenghi's Mediterranean Island Feast
Yotam Ottolenghi is an Israeli-born British restauranteur, chef, and writer with a wonderful story behind him. Together with Sami Tamimi, the two opened a chain of delis and restaurants, providing colorful, delightful things you can't really see anywhere else. They are influenced by their Mediterranean heritage and have become a huge success. Ottolenghi is known for the use of rare and unique raw materials and preserves his exclusive spot on the list.
He has published a number of books, all covering dishes offered in his restaurants, and believes that he has introduced vegetables in a different way. After eating veggies at Ottolenghi, the reputation of those greens changes for life.
Gino D'Acampo
Estimated Net Worth: $10 million
Restaurant: First Street Bar and Kitchen
As Seen On: Gino's Italian Escape/Gordon, Gino, and Fred's Road Trip
You say Italy, you say Gino! In 2022, if you are a food show lover, there is no way you are not familiar with Gino D'Acampo. The show he stars on, "Gordon, Gino, and Fred's Road Trip" has turned him into a mega chef star known for his hilarious sense of humor, alongside his exceptional Italian cuisine talent (he is Italian after all).
Even though Gino has exquisite restaurants, his appearance on TV shows is what made him rise to fame. His authentic Italian characteristics, make the shows that feature him unique and different. He has turned the simple native Italian dishes into ones anyone can make.
Carla Hall
Estimated Net Worth: $2.5 million
Restaurant: Carla Hall's Southern Kitchen
As Seen On: Top Chef
Carla is a chef, a television presenter, and a former model. Quite a bit of talent this lady has. Carla paved her way down the culinary road while she was modeling in the biggest European capitals. She fell in love with food and decided to turn her passion into a career.
Competing in "Top Chef" was one of the best decisions she took, as from here the only way was up. She left her mark on several restaurants and small businesses she operated, and within no time her name became known to all.
Martha Stewart
Estimated Net Worth: $400 million
Restaurant: The Bedford By Martha Stewart
As Seen On: Numerous named-after TV shows
It's impossible to ignore the one and only chef and homemaker extraordinaire Martha Stewart. As an empire of anything that has to do with home living, Stewart has been known as the high-priestess of homemaking for decades.
With a career that includes more TV shows than we can count, a never-ending list of books, pretty much any business venture you can think of, and even some time behind bars, Stewart declared in 2022 that she is going into the restaurant business. To visit her new place, take a trip to the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas and look for The Bedford By Martha Stewart.
Sunny Anderson
Estimated Net Worth: $5 million
Restaurant: N/A
As Seen On: How'd That Get on My Plate
Now, Sunny Anderson may not be titled a 'chef', but she with no doubt deserves space between these lines. She was all enthusiastic about food and restaurants growing up, so it was no wonder she turned her love into a career.
She has hosted numerous TV shows and has become the Food Network's queen of the kitchen. She has spread her gospel on morning shows and reality programs and is one of the nation's favorites (and one of the richest) food show hostesses with the mostesses.
JJ Johnson
Estimated Net Worth: $2 million
Restaurant: FieldTrip
As Seen On: Bravo's Rocco's Dinner Party cooking competition
Joseph Johnson was born in 1984 and is known for his African-influenced cuisine. His call to fame was in 2011 when he won the Bravo's Rocco's Dinner Party competition. JJ Johnson is a big believer in simplicity and therefore opened a simple rice bowl shop. He explained that the rice bowl parlor expresses the different cultures and different stories a pure bowl of rice can have behind it.
What we admire and appreciate about JJ Johnson, is that he is living proof that you don't have to be a Michelin-star restauranteur, or the most famous chef on TV to make it big. By emphasizing the simple things in life and close-to-heart dishes, JJ has definitely succeeded.
Michael Mina
Estimated Net Worth: $8 million
Restaurant: Mina Group
As Seen On: Master Chef, Hell's Kitchen
In the competitive world of culinary and restaurants, Michael Mina did not have it easy. These days he owns the Mina Group which operates almost 50 restaurants scattered all over the world. However, he had to work very hard to earn the glory and fame he has today. He immigrated to America from Egypt at a young age and fell in love with the culinary world.
Cook Taste Eat was launched in 2012 and made Mina one of the first known chefs to own a digital platform for cooking workshops. He is the proud owner of a number of cookbooks, his latest restaurant opened in Dubai and apparently, there is more to come, so hang in there.
Rocco DiSpirito
Estimated Net Worth: $9 million
Restaurant: Standard Grill
As Seen On: The Restaurant
Rocco rose to fame when he appeared in a reality show documenting the opening of his first restaurant. The fame that was earned, wasn't the good kind of fame. He was a complete failure with his first project and became the laugh of the day in the restaurant industry. Things though did change for DiSpirito and he is considered one of the most successful restauranteurs and chefs around.
These days, he does what he does best, and that is — cook. He is still the Chef of the Standard Grill restaurant, he has published a few cooking books and is known for his Italian influence on classic American dishes.
Alaine Ducasse
Estimated Net Worth: $10 million
Restaurant: Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester
As Seen On: N/A
We only stated his leading restaurant, Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester (three stars), but Alain Ducasse has, in addition, 34 more restaurants, each better than the other. He was educated on a small farm in the French countryside and was swept into the restaurant world at the age of 16. Only Gordon Ramsay and Joel Robuchon outnumber him when it comes to the total of Micheline stars they each have.
With so many restaurants to his name, Alain doesn't have too much spare time. He is not the kind of chef to host or judge a TV show (or competition) and invests in maintaining the high and exclusive reputation he has.
Delia Smith
Estimated Net Worth: $36 million
Restaurant: N/A
As Seen On: Delia Smith's Cookery Course
Delia Smith is best known for her TV show, "Delia Smith's Cookery Course," which gave the ability for those less experienced in the kitchen, to find their inner voice between the pots and pans. She made the most basic dishes accessible and approachable and influenced many over the years.
She started her culinary career as a dishwasher in a Paddington (London) restaurant, planning to work her way up, hoping to take part in food preparation. She obviously hoped really well, as today she is a supermarket commercial superstar (alongside Heston Blumenthal), and is a guru when it comes to online recipes. She retired from TV shows altogether but the reruns of her shows will never be outdated.
Daniel Boulud
Estimated Net Worth: $5 million
Restaurant: Daniel
As Seen On: After Hours with Daniel
Daniel Boulud is a French-born chef and restauranteur, with exquisite restaurants scattered all over the world. He was born in Lyon, France, and was raised on a frame. Boulud was exposed at a very young age to the beauty and fascinating world of food, farming, and culinary. "Best Culinary Apprentice," a French competition, was where he first got his recognition. He was only 15 at the time.
In 1993, Daniel Boulud opened his restaurant, Daniel, which he is best known for. Daniel (the restaurant) has two Michlene starts and has been rated as one of the best restaurants in the world. Up until a few years ago, he hosted "After Hours With Daniel," which looked deep into the lives of the late-night chef dinners and where they unwind at the end of a long day.
Paul Hollywood
Estimated Net Worth: $15 million
Restaurant: N/A
As Seen On: The Great British Bake Off and more
With a name like Paul Hollywood, you simply can't afford to be less than glamorous. Most people know him as a judge on "The Great British Bake Off" since 2010. He was exposed to baking from a young age working at his father's bakery and soon turned it into a career as the head baker in different hotels around the world.
Hollywood's on-screen career includes an incredible number of TV shows both in England and in the US, most of which focus on baking rather than cooking. He has also released several books to teach the world how to bake as well as he does. Go pick one up and make yourself some bread.
Curtis Stone
Estimated Net Worth: $16 million
Restaurant: Maude, Gwen
As Seen On: Top Chef Masters and more
Curtis Stone was born in Australia in 1975. He got his start in the culinary world as a cook at a restaurant at the Savoy Hotel in Melbourne. At the age of 21, he left and went to travel in Europe. He ended up working for chef Marco Pierre White at The Grill Room at Café Royal in London.
After gaining experience in the field, Stone turned to TV, where he became very successful. We're not saying it's because of his surfer-dude look or charming accent, but those obviously didn't hurt. He has hosted and starred in several cooking shows. One of those shows is Top Chef Masters, which has granted him a salary of 20,000 dollars per episode.
Todd English
Estimated Net Worth: $20 million
Restaurant: Olives, Figs, and more
As Seen On: Cooking with Todd English, and more
Todd English has fed numerous hungry mouths in pretty much any way you can think of. Yes, he has restaurants, but he is also the head chef of Delta Air Lines on top of being the owner of luxury restaurants on cruise ships.
Most of English's net worth comes from his restaurant chain, "Olives." He also has a chain of pizzerias called "Figs." Other than successful restaurants, his track record includes four cookbooks and PBS cooking shows.
Matthew Kenney
Estimated Net Worth: $20 million
Restaurant: Double Zero, Plant Food & Wine, and more
As Seen On: N/A
Matthew Kenney doesn't settle for making good food. His food also has an agenda behind it, which he tirelessly works on promoting. Kenny specializes in plant-based cooking and he is a great advocate of the issue. He has given a couple of TED talks on the matter and educates on a raw-food diet wherever he can.
Kenney has written a dozen cookbooks and many of his efforts are dedicated to helping others eat healthily. He owns two apps — Matthew Kenney's Raw Express and Matthew Kenney's Everyday Raw Detox, as well as a number of plant-based restaurants around the US.
Jacques Pépin
Estimated Net Worth: $20 million
Restaurant: Hôtel Plaza Athénée, Le Pavillon, and more
As Seen On: The Complete Pépin, Fast Food My Way, and more
Jacques Pépin was born in France (no surprise with that name) and moved to the US in 1959 when he was 24 years old. His parents had a restaurant named Le Pelican, which is where he made his first steps in the culinary world. As a young chef in Paris, he has had the pleasure of serving as a personal chef for three state leaders. All of that before his 25th birthday!
They say great minds think alike, and Pépin's great mind was good friends with Julia Child's. The two co-hosted a TV show called "Julia & Jacques Cooking at Home." His life and work have been honored with many awards and accolades both in America and in France.
Gastón Acurio
Estimated Net Worth: $20 million
Restaurant: Astrid & Gaston, Café del Museo, Madam Tusan, and more
As Seen On: Aventura Culinaria and more
Born in Lima, Peru in 1967, Gaston Acurio had initially hoped to have a career in law, similar to his father. Thank god he changed course and got his formal training as a chef at the Le Cordon Bleu in France. Today, he is a world-famous chef and is widely regarded as a Peruvian cuisine ambassador.
During his time in France, he met his wife, Astrid, and the two now manage Astrid & Gaston, their very own restaurant franchise. Much like other celebrity chefs, he also has numerous television appearances and cookbooks under his belt.
Eric Ripert
Estimated Net Worth: $20 million
Restaurant: Le Bernardin, Blue
As Seen On: Avec Eric
Things always sound better when you say they are French. Exhibit A would have to be French fries. Exhibit B would be French chef Eric Ripert. His culinary abilities are fully on display when he deals with seafood and modern French cuisine.
Le Bernadine, Ripert's flagship restaurant in New York City is highly praised. The New York Times has ranked it at number 17 of the 50 best restaurants in the world. The Michelin Guide also speaks highly of the place and gives it a three-star rating. His career also includes TV appearances, friendship with late chef Anthony Bourdain, and more than 10 cookbooks.
Christopher Kimball
Estimated Net Worth: $20 million
Restaurant: Christopher Kimball's Milk Street
As Seen On: America's Test Kitchen, Christopher Kimball's Milk Street, and more
Born in New York in 1951, Christopher Kimball has accomplished quite a bit in his decades-long career. Other than being a chef, he is also a publisher, editor, and media personality. No wonder he has accumulated a net worth of $20 million.
Over the years, he has founded a number of cooking magazines (Cook's Magazine, Cook's Illustrated Magazine, and Cook's Country Magazine) but that isn't even the tip of the iceberg that is his writing career. He wrote several cookbooks, including "The Cook's Bible," "The Yellow Farmhouse Cookbook," and "The Dessert Bible." Oh, and he's hosted cooking shows both on TV and on the radio.
Alan Wong
Estimated Net Worth: $1.1 billion
Restaurant: The Pineapple Room, King Street, and Shanghai
As Seen On: N/A
A net worth of $1.1 billion makes Alan Wong the richest celebrity chef in the world. His most famous work was co-founding the Hawaii Regional Cuisine, a company designed to highlight Hawaiian local food and ingredients as a new American cuisine.
A large part of his fortune comes from his Hawaii Regional Cuisine, and the rest comes from the several restaurants owned by him. Sante Magazine named Wong Chef of the Year in 2001 and he has even cooked a traditional luau for President Obama at the White House!
José Andrés
Estimated Net Worth: $50 million
Restaurant: Minibar by José Andrés, é by José Andrés, Somni, and more
As Seen On: Various talk shows and more
José Andréas was born in Spain in 1969, and boy has he been busy. Let's start with the fact that he has numerous restaurants around the US, many of which are located in Washington, Las Vegas, and New York. Next, we can talk about his two Michelin Stars. Then, we can start telling you that he has even been awarded a National Humanities Medal.
And as if that wasn't enough, the man is also the founder of the humanitarian aid organization World Central Kitchen — a nonprofit that aims to feed the hungry, mainly in disaster-stricken areas. Someone give this man a cookie.
Vikram Vij
Estimated Net Worth: $50 million
Restaurant: Vij's, Rangoli, My Shanti
As Seen On: Dragon's Den
Vikram Vij makes his living from the culinary arts, but he would have been uber-successful even if he wasn't a chef. He has a good business sense, which has given him a spot as an investor in the Canadian version of the British reality show, "Dragon's Den."
When it comes to food, the man has three restaurants, two cookbook collaborations, and formal training both as a chef and a sommelier. Basically, whatever culinary endeavor you can mention — he's done it.
Levi Roots
Estimated Net Worth: $45 million
Restaurant: Papine Jerk Centre
As Seen On: Dragon's Den, Caribbean Food Made Easy
The British Jamaican reggae artist Levi Roots was a well-known musician way before his cooking career. He became a culinary personality upon releasing his famous Caribbean barbecue sauce — Reggae Reggae Sauce. This sauce can now be found in many households in England.
Levi's famous sauce was first sold at food trade shows in England, which is where he was approached by a BBC producer who offered him a spot on Dragon's Den, the British reality show. Thanks to the show, the sauce started selling in supermarkets around the UK and is being enjoyed by many Brits out there.
Padma Lakshmi
Estimated Net Worth: $40 million
Restaurant: N/A
As Seen On: Top Chef
Okay, so technically Padma Lakshmi is not a chef. She started her career as a model and actress. But still, after hosting 19 (!) seasons of Top Chef, she has definitely earned herself a spot on this list. Plus, you don't release three cookbooks without knowing a thing or two about cooking.
Lakshmi began her modeling career at 21 when she was studying abroad in Madrid and said: "I was the first Indian model to have a career in Paris, Milan, and New York. I'm the first one to admit that I was a novelty."
Alex Guarnaschelli
Estimated Net Worth: $2 million
Restaurant: Butter
As Seen On: The Best Thing I Ever Ate, The Cooking Loft with Alex Guarnaschelli, and more
Some people have their talent embedded in their genes, and Alexandra (Alex) Guarnaschelli is definitely one of those people. Her mother, Maria, was a cookbook editor, and she recalls watching her mother testing cookbook recipes in their kitchen when she was little.
Years went by and Guarnaschelli has become a culinary personality in her own right. She appeared on several Food Network shows, including "Chopped" and "Iron Chef America." In 2013, her first cookbook, "Old-School Comfort Food: The Way I Learned to Cook," was released. It features recipes as well as personal memories. Her mama must be proud.
Amanda Freitag
Estimated Net Worth: $3 million
Restaurant: Cesca Enoteca & Trattoria
As Seen On: Unique Eats, Chopped, American Diner Revival
A Food Network frequent, Amanda Freitag is a celebrity chef you have to know. She graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in 1989 and started working in the field right away. Her first job after graduating was at Jean-Georges Vongerichten's restaurant, Vong. After five years, she left the restaurant for other food-related endeavors, including working in France and Italy.
She started her own restaurant called Cesca Enoteca & Trattoria in 2003. Her latest TV appearance is with Ty Pennington on the TV show American Diner Revival, where she and Ty transform restaurants both in terms of menu and design.
Rick Stein
Estimated Net Worth: $1-5 million
Restaurant: The Seafood Restaurant, Rick Stein's Fish Restaurant, Rick Stein Cafe
As Seen On: Rick Stein's Taste of the Sea, Rick Stein's Fruits of the Sea, Rick Stein's Seafood Odyssey, and more
Christopher Richard "Rick" Stein was born in England in 1947 and has made a name for himself in pretty much any food-related field. He ran the Stein hotel and restaurant business for more than four decades and appeared on numerous TV shows.
He has also written many cookbooks, but that almost goes without saying. Given that his celebrity chef status was achieved back in the 90s, he is one of the few celebrity chefs to have released DVD and VHS tapes. That's how long ago that was!
Julia Child
Estimated Net Worth: $50 million
Restaurant: N/A
As Seen On: The French Chef, Julia Child: Bon Appétit, and more
You could almost say that Julia Child has had two periods of being a celebrity chef — in life and after she passed away. She is actually regarded as America's first celebrity chef. Her face first appeared on American TV in 1963 and it wasn't long until she starred in many cooking shows of her own.
Her first TV show was "The French Chef", as she specialized in French cooking. It was just the first of many cooking shows she hosted or starred in. Years after her passing, she was lucky enough to be portrayed by Meryl Streep (which is probably anyone's dying wish) in the film "Julie & Julia." She has inspired many modern-day celebrity chefs and her kitchen is still on display at the Smithsonian!
Fanny Cradock
Estimated Net Worth: $1-5 million
Restaurant: N/A
As Seen On: The Big Time
If you don't know who Fanny Cradock is it wouldn't be surprising, as she is considered to be the earliest celebrity chef on UK television. Her on-screen career was about 20 years long and lasted from the 1950s to the 1970s. Prior to her TV career, Cradock published "The Practical Cook," her first cookbook, which was a great success and gained her a huge fanbase.
The book ended up launching a live cooking demonstration tour around the UK and launched her televised career. Her latest TV role was that of a judge on "The Big Time," an English reality show. One of her most memorable moments on the show was pretending to throw up when one of the contestants described what she was about to cook for Edward Heath, who was prime minister at the time. She must be Gordon Ramsay's biggest inspiration.
Jeff Smith
Estimated Net Worth: $1-5 million
Restaurant: N/A
As Seen On: The Frugal Gourmet
Jeff Smith was one of the first people ever to reach the status of a celebrity chef. He became known as the host of the cooking show "Frugal Gourmet in" 1997 and wrote a number of very successful cookbooks. Later in life, he faced a lawsuit from seven men who claimed that the chef had sexually abused them as teenagers.
There were probably eight victims, but it's been said he paid one of them for his silence. The suit was settled out of court, but the chef never recovered from the scandal. Smith's show was promptly canceled. His recipes even lost their luster, being called, "unreliable." The ruined cook died in his sleep in 2004.
Juan-Carlos Cruz
Estimated Net Worth: $1-5 million
Restaurant: N/A
As Seen On: Calorie Commando, Weighing In
Juan-Carlos Cruz rose to fame when he lost 43 pounds on national television and transitioned his expertise from pastry chef to low-calorie cooking. He later became the host of two shows — "Calorie Commando" and "Weighing In." Sadly, things took a turn for the worse. In 2010, Cruz was arrested in Los Angeles for reportedly hiring three homeless men to kill his wife, Jennifer Campell. Cruz didn’t even deny the attempted murder. He pleaded no contest to a charge of soliciting murder.
Cruz played his cards right by pleading no contest to the charge of soliciting murder. In this way, he was able to avoid being charged with attempted murder which would have led to a much longer sentence. His bail was set at $2 million and after the conviction, he began his nine-year prison sentence at the California Correctional Institute in Tehachapi.
Andrew Zimmern
Estimated Net Worth: $8 million
Restaurant: Lucky Cricket
As Seen On: Bizarre Foods
Andrew Zimmern's prolific food career started when he was just 14 years old. It has since grown into a food empire that includes radio, TV, journalism, and even a web show. Much like many other celebrity chefs, Zimmern's career also includes a feud or two. In 2009, he had one with Tyler Florence. The "Bizarre Foods" host didn't have the kindest words to say about Food Network chef Tyler Florence. At the time, Florence was a guest star on the short-lived reality show, "Momma’s Boys."
Zimmern clearly wasn't impressed by Florence's performance, so much so that he took to his blog to publicly write about it. He dissed Florence in the post, calling him the world's least talented TV chef. He labeled his cooking advice as questionable and poked fun at his menu of "Mom's fave recipes." He compared his T.V. show to that of a comedy show, saying that it was high-comedy watching him eating the food and acting like a local TV hunk.
Gina Neely
Estimated Net Worth: $2 million
Restaurant: N/A
As Seen On: Down Home with the Neelys and Road Tasted with the Neelys
Pat and Gina Neely were everybody's favorite Food Network couple that hosted "Down Home With the Neelys," which started in 2008. Despite their lovable relationship on camera, reports claimed that the pair actually hated each other during the filming of the entire show. After 23 years of marriage, Gina filed for divorce from Pat in 2014. She told People, “I never wanted to be a TV chef. I was a branch manager at a bank. I was going to divorce Pat prior to the show.” She also told People that the affectionate relationship they displayed on TV “wasn’t healthy or happy.”
Pat, on the other hand, seems to have felt starkly different in that area. He shared that he really did have a blast on the show. He said that he will always value "Down Home With the Neelys" as it allowed him to come on TV every day and share his home with viewers. He appreciates that he was able to share this experience with his high school sweetheart, a woman whom he loved. He also loves that he never had to act or put on a facade on the show.
Ree Drummond
Estimated Net Worth: $8 million
Restaurant: The Mercantile, The Pioneer Woman Bed & Breakfast
As Seen On: The Pioneer Woman
Ree Drummond had her start as the writer of "The Pioneer Woman," a successful food blog that developed into a full-on TV show starring her. In an episode of the second season, Drummond made a racist comment on the show. In the episode, Drummond prepared hot wings for her family and friends. When she took them out of the oven, her diners were all clearly confused by the fact that they were Asian hot wings and not Buffalo wings. They asked her "where are the real wings?" Another person said, "I don't trust 'em."
Ree replied, saying that she was just joking and wouldn't pull that kind of swap on her friends. She then pulled out the promised American buffalo wings. You can be sure that the show received a lot of backlash for these remarks. The episode aired in 2012 but wasn't pulled from the air until 2017, a whole five years after its release. The incident didn't affect Drommond's future earnings and she went on to write a children's book and start a bed & breakfast.
Anne Burrell
Estimated Net Worth: $5 million
Restaurant: Centro Vinoteca, Savoy, Felidia
As Seen On: Iron Chef America
Anne Burrell has an impressive resume. In addition to being one of Mario Batali's sous chefs in "Iron Chef America," she has had several of her own shows on the Food Network and frequently appears as a guest on other shows. She was the host of the show "Secrets of a Restaurant Chef" and co-host of "Worst Cooks in America." But, in 2009 this mega-talented boss lady ran into trouble after she was sued for allegedly discriminating against females at Centro Vinoteca, the restaurant where she worked as a chef.
She was accused of calling employees derogatory names, making comments regarding their bodies, and openly discussing their private lives. When the women originally made these accusations, Burell reacted by firing them. They apparently settled outside of court, but further details are unknown.
John Besh
Estimated Net Worth: $8 million
Restaurant: August, Borgne, Domenica, and more
As Seen On: Inedible to Incredible and more
Chef and restaurateur, Josh Besh, made his TV debut in 2005 and has since been at least somewhat involved in every food show on TV. He was meant to appear in 2018's "Iron Chef" too. However, before the show's release, 25 different employees at his various restaurants came forward alleging that he had maintained a culture of sexual misconduct. Besh apologized, sharing that he was sorry for having a relationship with a worker of his while he was married. He added that he has been working with his wife on their relationship and that he cares deeply about his family and his Catholic faith.
One employee made another claim; that she and Besh had had an affair. She claimed that Besh, who was married at the time, had been the one to urge the relationship on. All of these accusations led the Food Network to let Besh go from Iron Chef. Meanwhile, Bravo’s Top Chef also gave him the boot.
Joshua Adam Garcia
Estimated Net Worth: N/A
Restaurant: Jag's, Tavern on the Square
As Seen On: Next Food Network Star
In the third season of "Next Food Network Star," there was a contestant named Joshua Adam Garcia, or “JAG” for short. In the middle of the contest, he was forced to pull out, as it had been revealed that he had lied about his background. An imposture chef! On his resume, he wrote that he graduated from the New York Restaurant School and had served in the United States Military.
In reality, he never served in combat, was most definitely not a standing corporal, and was discharged for unspecified reasons. His website, however, does specify that he got his training as a chef in the military. He has since started working on a book titled “Hispano” which will explore Hispanic cuisine and culture through time.
Robert Irvine
Estimated Net Worth: $20 million
Restaurant: Robert Irvine's Public House, Fresh Kitchen by Robert Irvine
As Seen On: Dinner Impossible
Not every chef has listed on their resume that they've graduated from culinary school at Le Cordon Bleu. Rather, there are chefs who chose to take a different path, which led them to success. Chef Robert Irvine, the host of Food Network’s "Dinner: Impossible," is one such chef who got to where he is today in a rather unique way. According to his resume, he has been knighted, has worked as a chef for four U.S. presidents, and is good friends with King Charles. Sounds like the perfect candidate for the host of a show, right?
That is, that's what he wanted producers of the shows to believe. In 2008, it was revealed that the chef had exaggerated his resume. "Dinner: Impossible" at once let him go and replaced him with Michael Symon. However, after the show declined in viewers, the Food Network decided to bring back the fibber. Seems like the public didn't care about this scandal. A spokesman for the Food Network defended their decision to bring back the chef by saying that the audience wants the chef to come back and that Robert did everything to make up for his former lies.
Geoffrey Zakarian
Estimated Net Worth: $6 million
Restaurant: Country
As Seen On: Chopped
Sometimes fame can't seem to pay your bills, no matter the amount you achieve. One such fella who knows all about this is Geoffrey Zakarian. You probably know him as a judge on "Chopped," but his resume extends far beyond that. He is the chef on four Food Network shows and a renowned restaurateur. Oddly enough, his fancy-schmancy resume hasn't helped him advance with his financial progress, considering that in 2011, he was sued by his former employees from his now-closed restaurant, Country.
Zakarian, like Mario Batali, messed around with his staff's pay. He cut overtime pay, faked pay records, and docked paychecks. The employees demanded from him $1 million in damages and an extra $250,000 in penalties. Zakarian denied the allegations made against him, which surely didn't help him in the financial sense — it pushed him to the brink of bankruptcy.
Mario Batali
Estimated Net Worth: $25 million
Restaurant: Eataly
As Seen On: Molto Mario and Iron Chef America
Many men involved in the entertainment industry have been ousted in the last few years by women on the accusation of misconduct. Mario Batali's turn came around in 2017 when four women spoke out against him. The world-famous chef and restaurateur first became a household name in 1996, when he started his show on the Food Network called "Molto Mario." The show, which ran for 8 years, helped popularize the Food Network.
The chef didn't even deny the accusations and instead apologized, admitting that he takes full responsibility for the pain and unease he caused his friends, colleagues, and employees. Although his apology was remorseful, the chef was fired from his hosting gig on "The Chew" and the Food Network canceled its plans to reboot "Molto Mario." Additionally, Target stopped carrying his products, and all of his restaurant holdings were forfeited (and he had many all over the world). Credit to all these powerful corporations for taking action where it is very much needed.
Graham Elliot
Estimated Net Worth: $1.5 million
Restaurant: Graham Elliot Bistro
As Seen On: Top Chef
This Seattle-based chef is a bit of a prodigy. All before the age of thirty, Graham Elliot won several awards from the James Beard Foundation, was the youngest American to get four stars in a major restaurant review, and was a contestant on both "Top Chef Masters" and "Iron Chef." Well, he has been in kitchens since 1997.
In addition to that, he is the owner of a unique Chicago restaurant that combines French fine dining and casual-style cafe. This guy is not only a star in the kitchen but also has quite a flair for music as he plays guitar and even sings!
Rick Bayless
Estimated Net Worth: $30 Million
Restaurant: Frontera Grill
As Seen On: Iron Chef America
This Oklahoma-born all-American boy is known as the expert on all Mexican Cuisine. While this sounds a little unexpected, his many foodie fans wholeheartedly agree. Bayless really strives for authenticity but adds a modern approach. He even lived in Mexico from 1980 to 1986. It was there that he wrote his first book, "Authentic Mexican: Regional Cooking from the Heart of Mexico." But Bayless is probably most widely known from the PBS series "Mexico: One Plate at a Time."
The Mexican meal master had a run on Iron Chef America where he, of course, worked on his specialty Mexican dishes. Most importantly, Bayless is lauded by the food community mostly for championing Mexican cuisine and giving it its rightful place in the world of fine dining.
Emeril Lagasse
Estimated Net Worth: $70 Million
Restaurant: Emeril's New Orleans
As Seen On: Essence of Emeril
A celebrity chef, restaurateur, TV personality, writer, and National Best Recipe award winner for his ‘Turkey and Hot Sausage Chili’ recipe in 2003, Emeril Lagasse has created a food empire and is probably one of the richest chefs in the world. His Creole and Cajun-style cuisine, dubbed "New New Orleans" has earned him a regional James Beard Award.
Lagasse has appeared on several cook shows, most notably the Food Network shows "Emeril Live" and "Essence of Emeril." His shows are famous for their many catchphrases such as "Kick it up a notch!" and "Bam!". The Massachusetts-born chef has an estimated annual revenue of US$150 million. He truly is the king of the kitchen
Damaris Phillips
Estimated Net Worth: $3 million
Restaurant: N/A
As Seen On: The Bobby and Damaris Show
The American chef and TV personality was the 2013 winner of the Food Network series competition, "Food Network Star." The Food Network awarded Damaris's TV with yet another show named "Southern at Heart." The show ran for 6 six seasons, giving rise to Phillips' popularity. She then joined the majorly popular American TV chef, Bobby Flay for the show aptly named "The Bobby and Damaris Show."
The Southern belle Phillips married Darrick Wood, a vegetarian. Since her marriage, she has put a lot of her culinary efforts into combining southern cuisine with vegetarian dishes and even wrote a cookbook on the subject named "Southern Girl Meets Vegetarian Boy: Down Home Classics for Vegetarians (and the Meat Eaters Who Love Them)."
Wolfgang Puck
Estimated Net Worth: $75 Million
Restaurant: Spago
As Seen On: Cooking Class with Wolfgang Puck
Wolfgang Puck is an Austrian-born chef, restaurateur, and actor who learned the ins and outs of the kitchen from his pastry chef mother. At the age of 24, he decided to move to the States, where he got his start in Los Angeles. In 1982 he opened up his first restaurant — Spago. The restaurant became a major hit when in 1993, it was inducted into the Nation's Restaurant News Fine Dining Hall of Fame.
The following year it received the James Beard Restaurant of the Year Award. Puck's hit show on the Food Network earned a 2001-2002 Daytime Emmy for Oustanding Service Show. In 2009 and 2009 Spago was awarded two Michelin stars. He currently lives in LA and runs a string of restaurants across the country, including Spago, The Cut, and several eponymous chains.
Alton Brown
Estimated Net Worth: $13 million
Restaurant: N/A
As Seen On: Good Eats
Chef Alton Brown actually got his start in acting before he enrolled in culinary school. But even during his years of studying drama, he was somehow drawn to the world of food. His prowess in the kitchen eventually landed him a spot in the show "Good Eats," a show that aired for a whopping 13 years. The show gives solid explanations on why some ingredients work and some don't, for example, why one uses egg whites for meringue and not the whole egg — useful stuff.
Brown's show combines sharp comedy and food science to make a really entertaining and informative show. He has also appeared on Iron Chef America, as well as toured the country giving lectures on the art of cooking.
Michael Symon
Estimated Net Worth: $4 Million
Restaurant: Lola
As Seen On: Iron Chef America
Symon does sure seem like a Food Network staple. Having appeared on the network for years, it almost feels like he was raised right in their studios. Funnily enough, he actually got his start on cooking shows on ABC's "The Chew" in 2011. He is probably one of TV's most recognizable chefs today. In 1998, he was named Best New Chef by Food & Wine magazine. Symon's restaurants have received many accolades, among them, The James Beard Foundation Award for Best Chef Great Lakes.
He has appeared on several notable shows including "Dinner: Impossible" (2008), "Symon's Suppers" (2012-13), "The Chew" (2011-2018), and also has a published cookbook titled "Michael Symon’s Live to Cook: Recipes and Techniques to Rock Your Kitchen."
April Bloomfield
Estimated Net Worth: $1.2 million
Restaurant: The Spotted Pig
As Seen On: Iron Chef America
If you think the Brits can't cook, think again. April Bloomfield is an English chef from Birmingham and is known for her majorly successful restaurants, the Breslin Bar & Dining Room and The Spotted Pig. Her culinary journey began as an apprentice in the UK's most famous eatery, The River Cafe. This earned her a spot on the American cooking show, "The Iron Chef" where she got the highest score of the 2008 season, even beating chef Michael Symon 56-53.
The spotlight on TV really helped her career blossom and she has since opened up a bistro in New York City. Before opening up her restaurant The Spotted Pig, she even got to work at the famous Chez Panisse, the highly acclaimed California cafe.
Adriano Zumbo
Estimated Net Worth: $20 million
Restaurant: Zumbo Patisserie
As Seen On: MasterChef Australia
Before Adriano Zumbo discovered the fine art of dessert making, he was walking up and down the aisles of his father's supermarket, inspecting all the goods he wanted to experiment with. Born to Italian parents, little Zumbo was raised in New South Wales. Growing up, he would travel quite a bit between Australia and his parents' hometown of Calabria. We suspect that it was there that he truly discovered his taste for his pastry making.
His super success in the world of pastry-making earned him a spot on "Master Chef Australia" where he became known for creating complex and extremely decadent desserts. He even got nicknamed "The Sweet Assasin."
Duff Goldman
Net Worth: $5 million
Restaurant: Charm City Cakes
As Seen On: Ace of Cakes
Pastry chef Duff Goldman is best known for his incredible cakes. His confectionery creations even landed him a spot on Food Network's reality show "Ace of Cakes," a show that reveals the daily operations of his cake shop, Charm City Cakes. While Duff may hold the title of the greatest cake maker, he did, unfortunately, lose a cooking competition on "Iron Chef America" season 8, episode 7 against Michael Symon. He did bounce back, however, as the winner of the Food Network Challenge.
His second cake shop Charm City Cakes West was opened in Los Angeles and has been featured in Food Network's "Duff Till Dawn" and "Cake Masters". He has also made appearances in "Iron Chef America," "Oprah," "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," "Man v. Food," as well as written a tell-all book about the business "Ace of Cakes: Inside the World of Charm City Cakes."
David Chang
Estimated Net Worth: $60 million
Restaurant: Momofuku
As Seen On: Ugly Delicious
Making killer food is just one thing in a long list of talents this guy has. David Chang is also a TV personality, business mogul, and author. Born in Virginia, Chang's parents originally came from Korea. It seems no secret that his parents' traditional cooking rubbed off on him, prompting him to open the holding company 'Momofuku', a chain of Asian restaurants that includes Milk Bar, Noodle Bar, Momofuku Ssam Bar, and of course, the ever-famous, Momofuku Ko — a New York City favorite.
It's also clear that Chang is not merely a successful restauranteur, but also a pretty fine chef. In fact, his skills got him two Michelin stars — the most prestigious rating in the world of food. He also created the show Netflix show, "Ugly Delicious."
Tyler Florence
Estimated Net Worth: $15 million
Restaurant: Wayfare Tavern
As Seen On: The Great Food Truck Race
Tyler Florence has a long list of Food Network shows including “How to Boil Water,” “Tyler’s Ultimate,” “Food 911,” “Worst Cooks in America,” and the seriously popular show, “Great Food Truck Race.” Not only that, but his lucrative business moves have brought him two successful restaurants, an olive oil company that has won him multiple awards, a cookware line, a gourmet line of food, and even a cooking app.
In 2011, Florence was awarded "Restaurateur of the Year" by Wine Enthusiast magazine. He is also one of the few restauranteurs that have consistently won three stars from renowned food critic Michael Bauer.
Marco Pierre White
Estimated Net Worth: $40 million
Restaurant: Marco Pierre White
As Seen On: Top Chef
If Gordon Ramsay is the reigning king of cuisine TV, then Marco Pierre White was his predecessor. White has often been called the UK's first celeb chef and has even been dubbed the "godfather" of contemporary cooking. Hugely popular chefs such as Shannon Bennet, Mario Batali, Curtis Stone, and even Gordon Ramsey have been trained under White. The Leeds-born chef specializes in French, Italian, and British cuisine.
Marco Pierre White holds the record of being the youngest chef to ever win three Michelin Stars. He owes his skills to master chef Pierre Koffman while working at La Tante Clair. He then moved to Chez Nico and then Six Bells.
Gail Simmons
Estimated Net Worth: $2.5 million
Restaurant: Bringing It Home (Cookbook)
As Seen On: Top Chef
When it comes to critiquing and appreciating food, Gail Simmons is quite simply the queen of it all. She is the host of "The Feed," has written a series of cookbooks, and penned many food publications. She has appeared as a judge on "Top Chef" since the very beginning, which was all the way back in 2006. But that's just a part of this Canadian critic's resume. She was also the head judge on the show's spinoff "Top Chef Duels, Just Desserts" arm of Top Chef.
Simmons definitely took after her mother as she also happened to be a food columnist for the Globe & Mail. It didn't hurt that she picked up some nifty cooking skills from her as a kid. This woman has spent her life tasting and analyzing food and she sure is good at it.
Pat Neely
Net Worth: $1.5 million
Restaurant: Neely's Bar-B-Que
As Seen On: Down Home With the Neelys
Pat Neely began his career when he discovered his passion for barbecue. In 1988, together with his three brothers and uncle, Pat opened up a barbecue restaurant in downtown Memphis. Their food empire only grew from there and when he met his wife (now ex-wife) and eventual cooking partner, Gina, the two created their New York City restaurant Neely's Barbecue Parlor. Pat and Gina Neely went on to have an illustrious Food Network career, creating a number of shows together, namely "Down Home With the Neelys" and "Road Tasted With the Neelys."
The pair also wrote a book together. Unfortunately, the two eventually divorced and have gone their separate ways. Pat is now the co-owner of a Memphis Tennessee restaurant Bar-B-Que. Neely made a TV comeback when he hosted "Save to Win" on Saturdays on The CW from November 5, 2016, to May 20, 2017
Cat Cora
Estimated Net Worth: $7 million
Restaurant: Cat Cora’s Que
As Seen On: Iron Chef America
Chef Cat Cora was shot to fame after claiming the title of The Iron Chef on "Iron Chef America." She now hosts the Food Network favorite "Around the World in Eighty Plates," which airs on Bravo. Cora got her cooking education at the Culinary Institute of America. She specialized in Mediterranean and Fusion styles of cooking. Her Mississippi upbringing has also given her a Southern flair.
As the first female winner on the Iron Chef, she made TV history. Since the big win, she has appeared in a string of culinary publications, amongst them FHM. Cora is also the spokesperson for UNICEF and was even nominated as the Grand Marshal for the ST. Patty's parade in her hometown.
Christine McConnell
Estimated Net Worth: $500,000
Restaurant: N/A
As Seen On: The Curious Creations of Christine McConnell
For the more eccentric food lovers, there is Christine McConnell. Her Netflix series, "The Curious Creations of Christine McConnell," is a combination of cooking, baking, and the supernatural. The premise of the show centers around her culinary adventures in her spooky restaurant/mansion. The show was developed by McConnell herself who is a baker by trade. It also incorporates some scripted sitcom-style elements.
McConnell creates wild desserts and creepy-themed treats like caramel spiders, haunted gingerbread houses, and bones made out of pretzel sticks. Before her show, she was known on Instagram and Reddit for disturbing culinary creations.
Charlie Ayers
Estimated Net Worth: $45 million
Restaurant: Google
As Seen On: The Google Story
Chefs can pop out of some unexpected places. Charlie Ayers was the head chef at Google, working hard at serving delicious lunches every day to their roughly four thousand employees. The company supplied both lunch and dinner across ten different campuses. Ayers has been such an integral part of the operation of Google that he has a whole chapter devoted to him in the best-selling book "The Google Story."
The Google chef trained in the state of New Jersey. He then moved on to the position of head chef at the Hilton Hotel. Ayers furthered in cooking in Rhode Island at Johnson & Wales. Before his big move to Google, he was based in Boston and Providence. Being at Google has made him $26 million in stock options alone.
Nigella Lawson
Estimated Net Worth: $20 million
Restaurant: N/A
As Seen On: Nigella Bites
Probably seen by most as the British Martha Stewart, Nigella Lawson started out her career in cooking with a bit of resistance to the TV spotlight. Fortunately for us, her on-screen charisma took her pretty far. In 1999 she started with her show "Nigella Bites" which instantly gave her a huge following. She is known for her sensual and flirty hosting style, making watching her bake a cake very fun.
Lawson is known for objecting to the term 'celebrity chef' and embraces easy cooking for everyone. With that said, her simplistic approach earned her quite a nice sum of money. She also has several cookbooks to her name. Her other shows include "Nigella Feasts" (2006-11), and a well-remembered one, "The Taste" (2013-15).
Michael Chiarello
Estimated Net Worth: $3.5 million
Restaurant: Coqueta
As Seen On: Season by Season
Michael Chiarello was one of the more memorable contestants on "The Next Iron Chef." His specialty is fusing Italian and Californian cuisine. In addition to that, the fusion king is also the face of the Food Network show "Easy Entertaining with Michael Chiarello." But it's not just food that Chiarello is an expert in. He has also had quite a flair for wine-making and hosts the Fine Living Network show "NapaStyle."
His love for wine has led him to open up a line of wineries and vineyards in California. Of course, that's not all he has in Cali. The famous tapas restaurant, Coqueta. He also has a hand in a few furniture and cookware enterprises. He also has a line of wineries and vineyards and is a purveyor of cookware, furniture, and food.
Ming Tsai
Estimated Net Worth: $10 million
Restaurant: Blue Ginger
As Seen On: Simply Ming
Celebrity chef Ming Tsai not only has great experience in the kitchen but also has had an impressive Ivy League education in Yael, Cornell, and Le Cordon Bleu. His culinary skills are as diverse as his language skills and he is an expert in Spanish, French, and Mandarin. Tsai grew up around food and learned the tricks of the trade at a young age in his mother's restaurant called Mandarin Kitchen.
Tickling the tastebuds of many, Tsai made a name for himself and got his own show called "Simply Ming." The show aired on PBS and has had eighteen seasons. He also hosts the Fine Living's show "Ming's Quest." Last but not least, the Mandarin king also appeared on "Iron Chef."
Magnus Nilsson
Estimated Net Worth: $2 million
Restaurant: Faviken
As Seen On: The Mind of a Chef
Swedish chef Magnus Nilsson started out with humble beginnings as a cook on his grandmother's farm. From then it was a clear upward progression to chef school in Are, and then landed in L'Aprege as the apprentice under Alain Passard. Unfortunately, he was eventually fired for not speaking a word of French, something that's kind of required in France.
Three years later he moved back to Sweden, became disillusioned with the world of cooking, and pursued work as a wine critic. Something in Nilsson felt lost and he made his way back to cooking where he shot to fame with his killer dishes at the Fäviken restaurant — the 57th best restaurant in the world.
Masaharu Morimoto
Estimated Net Worth: $18 million
Restaurant: Morimoto
As Seen On: The Iron Chef
Crowned as the original Iron Chef, Masaharu Morimoto is the real McCoy. He was born in Hiroshima, Japan, and grew up learning about Kaiseki cuisine — the traditional art of sushi. After selling his own restaurant in 1985, he traveled to the United States to learn more about Western cuisine and how to infuse it into his own style. Morimoto established himself in the Asian cooking scene in New York City and even began appearing on TV.
The sushi specialist now has sixteen restaurants to his name, made several appearances on "Iron Chef America" and "Iron Chef Japan," as well as recently opened up a restaurant named Momosan Ramen & Sake on Lexington Ave. in New York City.
Thomas Keller
Net Worth: $130 million
Restaurant: The French Laundry
As Seen On: Ratatouille
American chef, restaurateur, and cookbook writer, Thomas Keller is probably America's most revered chef. Keller is a leader in French cuisine with his landmark Napa Valley restaurant named The French Laundry in Yountville, California. His restaurant has won multiple awards from the James Beard Foundation, notably the Best California Chef in 1996, as well as the Best Chef in America in 1997. His establishment has also reached number one on the list of Top 50 Restaurants of the World time and time again.
Keller has been a consultant on a few films as the set's chef, namely "Ratatouille" and "Spanglish." In the film "Spanglish," he taught actor Adam Sandler how to make the perfect sandwich for one of the scenes. Keller is also the only American chef to have been awarded three-star Michelin ratings for two different restaurants simultaneously.
Ina Garten
Estimated Net Worth: $50 million
Restaurant: N/A
As Seen On: Barefoot Contessa
Ina Garten was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1948. She wasn't always involved in food and as a younger woman actually established her career in politics, specifically in nuclear policy analysis in the White House. Her leap to food, however, began when she discovered a specialty food store for sale in Hampton. She, together with her husband, jumped on the opportunity. The rest is history. The acquisition of the food store inspired her to write her first cookbook called "Barefoot Contessa Cookbook."
The book was received with overwhelming praise and led her to her second book, which she released in 2001. Since that first release, she has published over a dozen cookbooks and has her own show on the Food Network. The book's success led her to the popularly known show of the same name. It explores Garten's finest creations in a variety of styles. Sometimes you discover your calling later in life.
Jeff Mauro
Estimated Net Worth: $2.3 million
Restaurant: Pork and Mindy's (closed)
As Seen On: The Kitchen
As the co-host of the Food Network series "The Kitchen" and the host of "Sandwich King," Jeff Mauro has carved out a niche for himself as the actual Sandwich King specializing in making mouth-watering and super inventive sandwiches. He won the seventh season of the FoodNetwork Star competition, where throughout the show he remained solely focused on sandwiches. He also hosts the show $24 in 24.
In January 2014, Mauro became a co-host on the Food Network's series "The Kitchen" along with Katie Lee, Sunny Anderson, Geoffrey Zakarian, and Marcela Valladolid. The sandwich master got his education at Bradley University, Illinois where he actually studied radio and television.
Richard Blais
Estimated Net Worth: $5 million
Restaurant: Trail Blais
As Seen On: Halloween Baking Championship
This one is a "Top Chef" favorite. Blais won Bravo's "Top Chef All-Stars." His passion for food developed in McDonald's of all places. This led him to pursue the service industry full-time. He studied at The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y. Between semesters he studied at the French Laundry in Yountville, California, under the celebrated Chef Thomas Keller. After traveling and experimenting with multiple businesses around the world, Blais established Trail Blais, a dynamic culinary consultancy company that is behind some of Atlanta's most popular eateries.
Blais appeared on the Food Network show "Halloween Baking Championship." Avid fans might also remember him as the host of "Cook Your Ass Off." The show aired on the HLN network is a transformational culinary competition that centers on the health struggles of everyday people.
Tom Colicchio
Estimated Net Worth: $20 million
Restaurant: Gramercy Tavern
As Seen On: Top Chef
Tom Colicchio is a New Jersey-born chef who founded the Gramercy Tavern. This popular New York City establishment is rated as one of the top spots in the city. New York City. Not only is he the head chef and owner, but he also created the company Crafted Hospitality. It comprises of several restaurants that are spread across the country and include places like Craft, Riverpark, Temple Court, Craftsteak, Heritage Steak, and Small Batch. These restaurants are located all across the country.
Colicchio is also the recipient of five separate James Beard Awards over the course of his career. Of course, you would remember him for his various cooking accomplishments. He also is recognized as the recurring judge on "Top Chef," where he has sat on the panel every single season. He is currently an executive producer on the show.
Sandra Lee
Estimated Net Worth: $20 million
Restaurant: N/A
As Seen On: Semi-Homemade Cooking with Sandra Lee
For the busy person on the go who wants that home-made feel, but needs it now, there is the great Sandra Lee. This Santa Monica-born cook developed this special style that she dubbed “semi-homemade.” It's seventy percent pre-packaged food and thirty percent home-cooked items. The combination — delicious, hearty, and quickly-made meals for big families. Sounds perfect, where do we sign up?
Interestingly, Lee actually did not exactly make her fortune from cooking. Instead, she created a home-decorating tool called Kraft Kurtains which are essentially decorative drapes made up of wire racks and sheets. Lee went on QVC to sell the product for $20 million. It was that money that she used to start her own cooking empire.
Nobu Matsuhisa
Net Worth: $200 million
Restaurant: The French Laundry
As Seen On: Master Chef Australia
They say that eating at a Nobu Matsuhisa establishment is a life-changing experience. Given the fact that he has such establishments all over the world, it's likely that you have heard of him. The Japanese-born chef even co-owns the popular restaurant chain with none other than film star legend Robert De Niro. But Matsuhisa's real claim to fame was his new approach to traditional Japanese dishes by infusing a Peruvian flavor into them.
The Japanese chef has also written a collection of cookbooks, the latest being World of Nobu, which was released in April 2019. Matsuhisa has made the occasional appearance on-screen with some of his A-list customers in films like "Casino," "Memoirs of a Geisha," and "Austin Powers in Goldmember."
Rachael Ray
Estimated Net Worth: $60 million
Restaurant: Rachael Ray’s Tasty Travels
As Seen On: 30 Minute Meals
The queen of daytime/stay-at-home mom TV, Rachel Ray is dynamite in the Food Network world. Her three TV shows, namely "30 Minute Meals," "$40 a Day," and "Rachael Ray’s Tasty Travels" are big hits among many foodies. Ray's specialty is fast and easy-to-make meals for whole families.
Her many cookbooks feature recipes that can be made in under thirty minutes. "The Rachel Ray Show" has won three Emmys, making her a staple on the network. The food TV goddess also co-hosted the "Celebrity Cook-Off" with Guy Fieri.
Ana Quincoces
Estimated Net Worth: $9 million
Restaurant: Skinny Latina
As Seen On: Real Housewives of Miami
Cuban chef Ana Quincoces dominates the Latin-American world of cuisine. Not only that, but she focuses on how to make these dishes healthy and low-calorie dishes, while still incredibly delicious. She has written several cookbooks all on mastering the art of a healthy Central American diet. Aside from that, this food queen is also a lawyer and is a partner in a law firm. Looks like she is juggling quite a lot.
If you still don't think you know her, then you might have caught a glimpse of her on "The Real Housewives of Miami," where she is notorious for being the sharp-tongued know-it. Last but not least, Eater Magazine voted Quincoces the “Hottest Chef” in the country back in 2011. Lucky for her man.
Anthony Bourdain
Estimated Net Worth: $16 million
Restaurant: Brassier Les Halles
As Seen On: Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations
One of the most captivating and dynamic TV chefs in the world, Anthony Bourdain had one impressive resume. He was born in New York City and graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in 1978. Bourdain made a real name for himself as the head chef at Brassier Les Halles, a famous Manhatten restaurant. He had also penned a series of best-sellers as well as hosted a few cooking travel shows.
His show "A Cook’s Tour" aired on the Food Network before Bourdain moved the show over to the Travel Channel. He followed with two more successful shows, "No Reservations," and "The Layover" which explored different cultures and cuisines around the globe. Bourdain also hosted the show "Parts Unknown " — a popular cooking show on CNN. The legendary chef tragically ended his life on June 8, 2018. He is greatly missed by the food community.
Gordon Ramsay
Estimated Net Worth: $190 million
Restaurant: Gordon Ramsay Restaurants
As Seen On: Hell’s Kitchen
The bad boy of kitchens, Scottish-born chef Gordon Ramsay is known for his culinary expertise and mean on-screen TV personality. Ramsay's restaurants have received a total of seventeen Michelin stars overall. That is mighty impressive! His most popular restaurant, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, located in Chelsea, has gotten three Michelin stars in the past couple of decades or so.
Gordon made his first TV appearance on the BBC cooking series called "Boiling Point" in 1998 — a stint that earned him the spotlight in the on-screen cooking scene. Currently, he now hosts his "Hell’s Kitchen" and the "MasterChef" series, where he is recognized for his sharp wit and harsh no-nonsense attitude.
Giada De Laurentiis
Estimated Net Worth: $20 million
Restaurant: GDL Foods
As Seen On: Giada at Home
A Cordon Bleu gem, Giada De Laurentiis was born in Rome. Already a point if you're entering the world of food. She grew up cooking at home with her family, picking up her now-signature tricks. Those skills she honed in her early years took her all the way to culinary stardom. To top it all off, she has written several cookbooks, all about authentic Italian food (very much inspired by her grandmother!)
Her Food Network’s show is the ever-famous "Giada at Home." The talented Italian cook has also co-hosted "The Today Show" on a number of occasions and is the founder of her very own catering company. Sounds delicious!
Jamie Oliver
Estimated Net Worth: $300 million
Restaurant: River Cafe
As Seen On: The Naked Chef
Even if you have never tuned into a cooking show in your life, chances are you have still come across the name Jamie Oliver. The British chef and restauranteur is known for his organic Italian-style cooking. He was educated at Westminster Kingsway College and began his career as a pastry chef under Antonio Carluccio. He then moved on to London's top restaurant, The River Cafe as the head chef.
The leap to TV was thanks to fellow chef Patricia Llewellyn, who discovered Oliver's screen-worthy charisma. She was an executive at a TV production company named Optomen. The company agreed to tape a pilot for the show "The Naked Chef." The move resulted in total success and thus Oliver's BBC cooking show was born. The British chef used the profits to release a cookbook. It was a total hit.
Bobby Flay
Estimated Net Worth: $30 million
Restaurant: Mesa Grill
As Seen On: Great Chefs
French Culinary Institute graduate Bobby Flay is a Food Network favorite. The New York City-born chef specializes in Mexican and Southwestern cuisine. His cooking style is both Mexican and Southwestern, (even though he himself is a fourth-generation Irish American). Flay has opened eateries all across the U.S. — all of them under his name.
His restaurants around the country include the popular Las Vegas establishment Mesa Grill, Bar American, Bobby Flay Steak, Gato, and Bobby's Burger Palace which is a chain across eleven different states. Aside from cooking, Flay likes to take to the tracks and racehorses.
Guy Fieri
Estimated Net Worth: $8.5 million
Restaurant: Johnny Garlic’s
As Seen On: Celebrity Cook-Off
Born in Columbus, Ohio, Guy Fieri has been in the spotlight for years. With a few Emmy wins to his name and three California-based restaurants, Fieri is one of the world's best-known TV personalities out there. His name is so huge it's been even licensed to restaurants in Las Vegas and New York City.
The cook has also hosted multiple shows on the Food Network and has even emerged as the face of the channel. It must be that signature peroxide blond spike hair that makes him pretty unforgettable. His biggest claim to fame, however, was on the Celebrity Cook-Off.
Paula Deen
Estimated Net Worth: $14 million
Restaurant: The Lady & Sons Restaurant
As Seen On: Paula’s Home Cooking
Paula Deen is the queen of Southern comfort food. As a young girl growing up in Georgia, she suffered from agoraphobia- a condition that made it hard for her to leave the house. During all that time at home, she spent a lot of time in the kitchen experimenting with tasty recipes. Her home cooking took off in a big way and eventually led her to open up a sandwich company called The Bag Lady. She now rules the landscape of Southern cuisine.
The Bag Lady was just the beginning of her career because Paula Deen, as we know her today is quite the household name and has been a part of the Food Network since the 1990s. She also has published fifteen cookbooks, most of which have been best-sellers.