Famous 20th Century Restaurateurs

Vote for Your Favourite 20th Century Restaurateurs

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 1 
Colonel Sanders
(Founder of the Fast Food Chicken Restaurant ‘Kentucky Fried Chicken’ (KFC))
Colonel Sanders
4
Birthdate: September 9, 1890
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Henryville, Indiana, United States
Died: December 16, 1980

Colonel Sanders is the man who revolutionized the American fast food industry by founding the restaurant chain Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC). Establishing a style trademark by wearing a white suit and black string tie, Sanders went on to become a symbol of the KFC brand. Such is the popularity of the brand, the symbol is recognized all over the world.

 2 
Wolfgang Puck
(Celebrity Chef and Restaurateur)
Wolfgang Puck
3
Birthdate: July 8, 1949
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Sankt Veit an der Glan, Austria

Wolfgang Puck is an Austrian-American restaurateur. In 1973, Puck moved to the US and opened a restaurant named Spago in 1982. He then established himself as a respected restaurateur by opening several other restaurants. In 2013, he was inducted into the Culinary Hall of Fame. Also an actor, Puck has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

 3 
Guy Fieri
(American Restaurateur and Host of Several 'Food Network' Television Shows)
Guy Fieri
2
Birthdate: January 22, 1968
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Columbus, Ohio, United States

Primarily a restaurateur, Guy Fieri is a testimony to the fact that any professional can become famous if they are passionate enough in doing what they do best. From being a restaurateur, he went on to become a TV personality, hosting shows for Food Network channel. By mid-2010, he had become the face of the network.

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 4 
Grant Achatz
(American Chef and Restaurateur Known for His Contributions to Molecular Gastronomy or Progressive Cuisine)
Grant Achatz
3
Birthdate: April 25, 1974
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Saint Clair, Michigan, United States
 5 
Mario Batali
(American Celebrity Chef and Restaurateur)
Mario Batali
0
Birthdate: September 19, 1960
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Seattle, Washington, United States

Mario Batali is an American chef, restaurateur, writer, and media personality. He started hogging the limelight after appearing on some of Food Network's shows, such as Iron Chef America and Molto Mario. Also a well-known philanthropist and social activist, Batali established the Mario Batali Foundation in 2008, which funds pediatric disease research and various children's educational programs.

 6 
Rick Bayless
(American Chef and Restaurateur)
Rick Bayless
2
Birthdate: November 23, 1953
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
 7 
Salt Bae
(Restaurateur)
Salt Bae
12
Birthdate: August 9, 1983
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Erzurum, Turkey
 8 
Emeril Lagasse
(Celebrity Chef & Restaurateur Known for His Show 'Essence of Emeril' on The Food Network)
Emeril Lagasse
0
Birthdate: October 15, 1959
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Fall River, Massachusetts, United States
Celebrity chef Emeril Lagassé is known for his signature New New Orleans style of cooking and his catchphrases such as “Bam!” He owns several restaurants, has written many cookbooks, owns a non-profit for underprivileged children, and has also hosted Food Network shows such as Essence of Emeril and Emeril Live.
 9 
Kimbal Musk
(The Founder of 'The Kitchen Restaurant Group' and Co-Founder of 'Big Green' a 501 non profit organization)
Kimbal Musk
3
Birthdate: September 20, 1972
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Pretoria, Transvaal, South Africa
Kimbal Musk, the younger brother of business tycoon and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, owns the community restaurant chain known as The Kitchen Restaurant Group. He also co-founded the non-profit Big Green, which builds outdoor classrooms, and Square Roots, which specializes in urban farming. He is also a prime Tesla shareholder.
 10 
Howard Schultz
(Businessman, CEO of ‘Starbucks’ and Co-Owner of 'Seattle SuperSonics' Basketball Team )
Howard Schultz
3
Birthdate: July 19, 1952
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, United States
Businessman Howard Schultz has served as the chairman and CEO of the Starbucks Coffee Company and as the owner of the basketball team Seattle SuperSonics. He has written several books on business, including the NYT bestseller From the Ground Up. He has also launched the Schultz Family Foundation.
 11 
Joe Bastianich
(Restaurateur & Winemaker Who Co-owns 30 Restaurants in Four Countries)
Joe Bastianich
3
Birthdate: September 17, 1968
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Astoria, New York, United States
Restaurateur and winemaker Joe Bastianich co-owns 30 restaurants across four countries, with his mother, Lidia Bastianich. His ventures include the Michelin-star-rated Babbo and the Pizzeria brand of eateries in Los Angeles. He has been a judge on the MasterChef franchise and has also authored several cookbooks and a bestselling autobiography.
 12 
Prue Leith
(British-South African Restaurateur, Chef, Television Presenter, Journalist, Cookery Writer)
Prue Leith
3
Birthdate: February 18, 1940
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: South Africa

British-South African chef and culinary expert Prue Leith had begun her career with a lunch-supplying business. She later launched her Michelin-starred restaurant Leith's in Notting Hill and a culinary school. Best known as a judge on The Great British Menu, she is also associated with various charitable initiatives.

 13 
Ming Tsai
(American Chef, Restaurateur, and Television Personality)
Ming Tsai
2
Birthdate: March 29, 1964
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Newport Beach, California, United States
Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
 14 
John Schnatter
(Founder of 'Papa John's' Pizza Restaurant Chain)
John Schnatter
3
Birthdate: November 23, 1961
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Jeffersonville, Indiana, United States

Entrepreneur John H. Schnatter, also known as Papa John, established Papa John's Pizza in the 1980s, using the money he got after selling his car. He resigned as the CEO of his company in 2018, following a controversy regarding his comments about protests by NFL players.

 15 
Tom Colicchio
(Chef)
Tom Colicchio
2
Birthdate: August 15, 1962
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Elizabeth, New Jersey, United States
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
 16 
Nobu Matsuhisa
(Japanese Restaurateur and Celebrity Chef)
Nobu Matsuhisa
2
Birthdate: March 10, 1949
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Saitama, Japan

Nobu Matsuhisa is a Japanese restaurateur and celebrity chef best known for his fusion cuisine; he often blends Japanese dishes with Peruvian ingredients, creating a new style of cuisine. Matsuhisa owns restaurants in several countries and has also authored many cookbooks.

 17 
Jon Taffer
(Entrepreneur)
Jon Taffer
3
Birthdate: November 7, 1954
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Great Neck, New York, U.S.
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
 18 
Paul Prudhomme
(American Celebrity Chef)
Paul Prudhomme
2
Birthdate: July 13, 1940
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Opelousas, Louisiana, United States
Died: October 8, 2015
 19 
Dave Thomas
(Founder and CEO of Wendy's)
Dave Thomas
2
Birthdate: July 2, 1932
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Died: January 8, 2002
 20 
Sarah Willingham
(Restaurateur, Businessperson)
Sarah Willingham
2
Birthdate: December 21, 1973
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Stoke-on-Trent

It is believed Sarah Willingham had begun working in the hospitality industry at age 13. Apart from managing the popular restaurants Planet Hollywood and Pizza Express, she also manages a huge portfolio that includes The Bombay Bicycle Club and The London Cocktail Club. She has also been part of Dragons' Den.

 21 
Gary Rhodes
(English Restaurateur and Television Chef)
Gary Rhodes
2
Birthdate: April 22, 1960
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: London, United Kingdom
Died: November 26, 2019

Best known for his appearances on shows such as MasterChef and Hell's Kitchen, Gary Rhodes later also launched his own series, Rhodes Around Britain. He owned several restaurants in the UK and the Middle East. The celebrity chef shocked everyone with his untimely death at age 59 due to brain hemorrhage.

 22 
Rick Stein
(English Celebrity Chef, Restaurateur and Television Presenter)
Rick Stein
0
Birthdate: June 30, 1947
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Churchill, Oxfordshire, England

Celebrity chef Rick Stein has managed the U.K.’s Stein Hotel and Restaurant with his first wife, Jill Stein. He later became the head chef and co-owner of Rick Stein at Bannisters in Australia, with his second wife, Sarah. He has authored cookbooks and presented culinary shows such as Seafood Odyssey.

 23 
Keith Floyd
(British Celebrity Cook, Restaurateur and Television Personality)
Keith Floyd
3
Birthdate: December 28, 1943
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Sulhamstead, Berkshire, England
Died: September 14, 2009

Celebrity chef Keith Floyd was known for his signature style of presenting, his impeccable dress sense, and his love for red wine. After quitting his initial military career, he took up petty jobs in bars and restaurants, and eventually made it big as a chef on BBC cookery shows.

 24 
Bill Rancic
(Writer, Entrepreneur, Businessperson, Author, Restaurateur)
Bill Rancic
2
Birthdate: May 16, 1971
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Chicago
Height: 6'3" (190 cm)
 25 
Charlie Trotter
(American Chef and Restaurateur)
Charlie Trotter
1
Birthdate: September 8, 1959
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Wilmette, Illinois, United States
Died: November 5, 2013
 26 
Rocky Aoki
(Restaurateur Who Founded the Popular Japanese Cuisine Restaurant Chain 'Benihana')
Rocky Aoki
0
Birthdate: October 9, 1938
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Tokyo, Japan
Died: July 10, 2008
 27 
Andrew Zimmern
(American Chef, Restaurateur, Television and Radio Personality)
Andrew Zimmern
0
Birthdate: July 4, 1961
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: New York, New York, United States
Height: 5'11" (180 cm)
 28 
Thomas Keller
(American Chef & Restaurateur)
Thomas Keller
3
Birthdate: October 14, 1955
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, California, United States
 29 
Terence Conran
(English Designer, Restaurateur and Founder of 'Design Museum')
Terence Conran
1
Birthdate: October 4, 1931
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Kingston upon Thames, Surrey, England
Died: September 12, 2020

Best known as the founder of the Design Museum in London, British designer and restaurateur Terence Conran had begun a furniture studio while still a student. He later launched popular interior and furniture design firms such as the Conran Design Group and Habitat. He has also penned several books.

 30 
Marcus Samuelsson
(Celebrity Chef and Restaurateur)
Marcus Samuelsson
0
Birthdate: January 25, 1971
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Ethiopian Swedish chef and restaurateur Marcus Samuelsson currently works as the head chef of Red Rooster in Harlem, New York. Fascinated by his grandmother’s cooking, he studied at the Culinary Institute in Göteborg to learn the nuances of food preparation. In the ensuing years, he gained recognition as a world-class chef. He is also an award-winning cookbook author.

 31 
Massimo Bottura
(Restaurateur)
Massimo Bottura
1
Birthdate: September 30, 1962
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Modena, Italy
 32 
Jimmy John Liautaud
(Founder of Jimmy John's Sandwich Chain.)
Jimmy John Liautaud
2
Birthdate: January 12, 1964
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Arlington Heights, Illinois, United States
 33 
S. Truett Cathy
(Business Person)
S. Truett Cathy
2
Birthdate: March 14, 1921
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Eatonton, Georgia, US
Died: September 8, 2014
 34 
Dan Barber
(Chef)
Dan Barber
1
Birthdate: March 12, 1969
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: New York, New York, United States
 35 
Gary Mehigan
(English-Australian Chef and Restaurateur)
Gary Mehigan
3
Birthdate: February 12, 1967
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Hayling Island, Hampshire, England

Born in England, Gary Mehigan, celebrated chef and restaurateur, received his initial training in prominent London hotels before moving to Melbourne, Australia. After heading several well-known restaurants there, he opened his own establishment and currently co-owns The Boathouse, located in Moonee Ponds. Concurrently, he can also be seen on televisions productions like MasterChef Australia and Far Flung with Gary Mehigan.

 36 
Richard Blais
(American Chef, Television Personality, Restaurateur, and Author)
Richard Blais
3
Birthdate: February 19, 1972
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Uniondale, New York, United States
 37 
Tom Monaghan
(Businessperson)
Tom Monaghan
2
Birthdate: March 25, 1937
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
 38 
Fred DeLuca
(Businessman)
Fred DeLuca
2
Birthdate: October 3, 1947
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, United States
Died: September 14, 2015
 39 
Alice Waters
(American Chef, Restaurateur, and Author)
Alice Waters
3
Birthdate: April 28, 1944
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Chatham, New Jersey, United States
 40 
Jon Paul Steuer
2
Birthdate: March 27, 1984
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Escondido, California, United States
Died: January 1, 2018
Height: 5'9" (175 cm)
 41 
Todd English
(American Celebrity Chef, Restaurateur and Author)
Todd English
1
Birthdate: August 29, 1960
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Amarillo, Texas, United States
 42 
Junior Bridgeman
(Basketball player, Businesspeople)
Junior Bridgeman
1
Birthdate: September 17, 1953
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: East Chicago, Indiana, United States
Height: 6'5" (196 cm)
 43 
Scott Conant
(American Celebrity Chef, Restaurateur, and Cookbook Author)
Scott Conant
3
Birthdate: February 19, 1971
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Waterbury, Connecticut, United States
 44 
Rocco DiSpirito
(Chef and Reality television personality known for starring in the program The Restaurant)
Rocco DiSpirito
2
Birthdate: November 19, 1966
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Queens, New York, United States
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
 45 
J. Willard Marriott
(Founder of the 'Marriott International, Inc')
J. Willard Marriott
1
Birthdate: September 17, 1900
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Marriott-Slaterville, Utah, United States
Died: August 13, 1985

Born in Utah, Marriott founder J. Willard Marriott grew up helping his parents on their family farm. The hotel tycoon began his career selling root beer and gradually launched a restaurant chain. The first Marriott hotel was basically a motel and eventually grew into a US$4.5 billion empire.

 46 
Glen Bell
(Entrepreneur)
Glen Bell
1
Birthdate: September 3, 1923
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Lynwood, California, United States
Died: January 16, 2010
 47 
Billy Mitchell
(Restaurateur)
Billy Mitchell
1
Birthdate: July 16, 1965
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Holyoke, Massachusetts, United States
 48 
David Hackworth
(Journalist)
David Hackworth
2
Birthdate: November 11, 1930
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Ocean Park, California, U.S. (now Santa Monica, California Santa Monica, California, U.S.)
Died: May 4, 2005
 49 
Christy Chung
(Canadian Restaurateur and Actress)
Christy Chung
1
Birthdate: September 19, 1970
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Height: 5'6" (168 cm)
 50 
Susur Lee
(Canadian Celebrity Chef)
Susur Lee
1
Birthdate: December 27, 1958
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Hong Kong