Famous American Chefs
Right IconThis ranking is based on an algorithm that combines various factors, including the votes of our users and search trends on the internet.
It wouldn’t be wrong to say that chefs today are ‘Face of Food Industry’. Part of the multi-billion trade that food industry has become, being a chef is not an easy job. Gone are the days when preparing gastronomic delights was the only thing that chefs had to be concerned about. Today, a meal on a plate needs to be high on nutrition, low on calorie, extraordinary in taste, impressionable to look at, substantial for appetite, nourishing for body and innovative in content. And that is not all; chefs need to have the imagination of a poet, the precision of a surgeon, perceptiveness of an artist, innovativeness of an inventor and dedication of military personnel to come up with a dish. Preparing a delicacy today is like preparing for a battle – you need to be well versed with all the aspects of food planning and execution before you get it right. But the sweetest part of the job is that all the hard work and turmoil within the doors of the kitchen evaporate when guests love the food or compliment it. Every country today has a whirl of chefs who are best in their job. They are constantly reinventing themselves to bring innovativeness to food industry and keep it going. Dig into this section and brief yourself to a compilation of some of the best American chefs, their journey of life and their food fiestas.
Vote for Your Favourite American Chefs
Birthdate: August 15, 1912
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Pasadena, California
Died: August 13, 2004
Julia Child gained fame with her culinary show The French Chef and her cookbook Mastering the Art of French Cooking. She also founded The Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and Culinary Arts. She received several Emmys and the Peabody Award for her work, and had a rose named after her.
Birthdate: June 25, 1956
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: New York, New York, United States
Died: June 8, 2018
Anthony Bourdain was an American celebrity chef. He was also a renowned author, media personality and travel documentarian. His shows about the exploration of international culture and cuisine were very popular. Apart from writing several books on food and cooking and travel explorations, Bourdain also wrote fiction and historical non-fiction. In June 8, 2018, he died by suicide in France.
3
Bobby Flay(Celebrity Chef Known for His Work with 'Food Network' & Owner of 'Bobby's Burger Palace', 'Mesa Grill')
Birthdate: December 10, 1964
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: New York, New York, United States
Celebrity chef Bobby Flay is best known for his Food Network shows, such as the Emmy-nominated Hot Off the Grill with Bobby Flay. He launched many restaurants, such as the Las Vegas-based Mesa Grill and 19 outlets of Bobby's Burger Palace. He has also taught at the French Culinary Institute.
4
Rachael Ray(American Celebrity Chef and Host of the Food Network Show ‘30 Minute Meals’)
Birthdate: August 25, 1968
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Warrensburg, New York, United States
Celebrity chef Rachael Ray is best known for her Food Network show 30 Minute Meals. She also made waves with her talk show Rachael Ray and her culinary shows such as Rachael Ray's Tasty Travels. She has also authored several cookbooks and launched the magazine Every Day with Rachael Ray.
5
David Chang(American Restaurateur and Founder of the Momofuku Restaurant Group)
Birthdate: August 5, 1977
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Arlington County, Virginia, United States
David Chang revolutionized the culinary world with his brand Momofuku, which owns several noodle bars across the world, including a 2-Michelin-star restaurant. He has produced the Netflix shows Ugly Delicious and Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. Several issues of his food magazine Lucky Peach have been NYT bestsellers.
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.
Birthdate: August 22, 1970
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Rome, Italy
Giada De Laurentiis is an Italian-American chef, restaurateur, television personality, and writer. She won the Gracie Award under the Best Television Host category for hosting Giada at Home. The founder of a catering business called GDL Foods, Giada De Laurentiis has been an influential figure in the American culinary business over the last few years.
Birthdate: January 19, 1947
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Albany, Georgia, United States
Culinary show host and chef Paula Deen is known for her Emmy-winning Food Network show Paula's Home Cooking. She owns Paula Deen's Creek House and The Lady & Sons restaurant. Apart from writing several cookbooks, she has also appeared in the film Elizabethtown and the show Dancing with the Stars.
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.
10
Emeril Lagasse(Celebrity Chef & Restaurateur Known for His Show 'Essence of Emeril' on The Food Network)
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.
Birthdate: July 30, 1962
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States
Alton Brown soared to fame as the creator of the Food Network culinary show Good Eats. He has also hosted shows such as Iron Chef America and Feasting on Asphalt. He has authored several bestselling cookbooks. He also created two culinary shows on YouTube during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Birthdate: August 1, 1933
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA
Died: May 4, 2009
Birthdate: September 14, 1981
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Huntington
Birthdate: August 19, 1980
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Chilmark, Massachusetts
Chris Fischer is an American farmer and chef who achieved national recognition in 2018 when he married popular actress and stand-up comedian Amy Schumer. Fischer, who worked at the Beach Plum Inn & Restaurant, won the Coastal New England Rising Stars Award in 2014. In 2016, he was honored with the James Beard Award for co-authoring The Beetlebung Farm Cookbook.
15
Typhoid Mary(The First Person to be Identified as an Asymptomatic Carrier of the Pathogenic Bacteria 'Salmonella Typhi')
Birthdate: September 23, 1869
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Cookstown, County Tyrone, Ireland
Died: November 11, 1938
Irish immigrant Mary Mallon, or Typhoid Mary, worked as a cook in affluent American households. When people started falling ill in and around places where Mary had worked, it was discovered that she was an asymptomatic carrier of typhoid. Escaping every time, she caused three deaths and was eventually forcibly isolated.
16
Eddie Huang(Chef and Co-Owner of "BaoHaus", a Gua Bao Restaurant)
Birthdate: March 1, 1982
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Washington, D.C., United States
Chef and food expert Eddie Huang co-owns the gua bao restaurant BaoHaus in Lower Manhattan. He has hosted shows such as Snack Off and Huang's World. His bestselling memoir, Fresh Off the Boat, was made into a sitcom of the same name. He has also been a food blogger.
17
Ina Garten(Author and Host of the Food Network Show ‘Barefoot Contessa’)
Birthdate: February 2, 1948
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: New York City, United States
Ina Garten is an American author and TV host best known for hosting Food Network's cooking show, Barefoot Contessa. Over the years, Garten has released several best-selling cookbooks, including The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook and Barefoot in Paris: Easy French Food You Can Make at Home.
Birthdate: November 9, 1981
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Ohio, United States
19
Marcela Valladolid(American Chef and Author Known for Her TV Shows: ‘Mexican Made Easy’ and ‘Best Baker in America’)
Birthdate: July 19, 1978
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: San Diego, California, United States
Chef Marcela Valladolid was the host of the Food Network television series Mexican Made Easy. A graduate of the Los Angeles Culinary Institute, she is also a classically trained pastry chef. She started her own catering company and soon began hosting cookery shows on TV. She has also authored several cookbooks.
Birthdate: October 14, 1955
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, California, United States
21
Adam Richman(TV host on various dining and eating-challenge programs on the Travel Channel.)
Birthdate: May 16, 1974
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, United States
Birthdate: April 25, 1974
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Saint Clair, Michigan, United States
Birthdate: June 20, 1972
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States
24
Lidia Bastianich(Italian-American Celebrity Chef and Restaurateur Known for Her Cooking Shows)
Birthdate: February 21, 1947
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Pula, Croatia
Lidia Bastianich is an Italian-American television host, celebrity chef, restaurateur, and author. She owns many restaurants in the US, including one in Manhattan. Bastianich is the recipient of several awards and honors, including a couple of Lifetime Achievement Awards. Also a philanthropist, Lidia Bastianich supports various non-profit organizations, such as the Columbus Citizens Foundation, which aims at promoting Italian-American heritage.
Birthdate: November 14, 1971
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Amritsar, India
26
Buddy Valastro(Celebrity Baker, Reality Star Best Known for His TV Series ‘Cake Boss’, ‘Next Great Baker’ and ‘Kitchen Boss’)
Birthdate: March 3, 1977
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Hoboken, New Jersey, United States
Baker Buddy Valastro, who owns Buddy V's Ristorante and Carlo's Bakery, gained fame as a reality star with his show Cake Boss. He has also appeared on shows such as Kitchen Boss, Buddy's Bakery Rescue, and Next Great Baker. He suffered a brutal hand injury in 2020.
Birthdate: July 25, 1959
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Worcester, Massachusetts, US
Birthdate: September 21, 1969
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Cazenovia
Anne Burrell is an American chef and TV personality who hosts cooking television series like Secrets of a Restaurant Chef and Worst Cooks in America. She has also competed in several cooking competition shows like Chopped All-Stars Tournament. In 2015, Anne Burrell won the fourth season of Chopped and earned $75,000, which she donated to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Birthdate: December 17, 1974
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Detroit
Duff Goldman is an American pâtissier, cookbook author, and television personality. The executive chef of Charm City Cakes shop, Goldman's work has been featured on several cooking television shows like Iron Chef America, Duff's Happy Fun Bake Time, and Food Network Challenge. Duff Goldman has made cakes for influential personalities like Barack Obama, Sir Roger Moore, and Tom Clancy.
30
Paul Wahlberg(Chef, Actor and Owner of the Restaurant ‘Wahlburgers’)
Birthdate: March 20, 1964
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Chef and reality star Paul Wahlberg co-owns the restaurant Wahlburgers with his brothers, Mark and Donnie. He gained fame with his appearance on the A&E reality show named after his restaurant. He has previously worked as an executive chef and been associated with restaurants such as The Charles Hotel.
Birthdate: July 4, 1961
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: New York City
Birthdate: September 19, 1969
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Cleveland, Ohio, United States
33
Sandra Lee(Television chef, author known for her "Semi-Homemade" cooking concept)
Birthdate: July 3, 1966
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Santa Monica, California, United States
34
Cat Cora(Chef best known for her featured role as an "Iron Chef" on Iron Chef America)
Birthdate: April 3, 1967
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Jackson, Mississippi, United States
35
David Burtka(Actor and Professional Chef Known for His Role in the TV Show ‘How I Met Your Mother’)
Birthdate: May 29, 1975
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Dearborn, Michigan, United States
David Burtka is an American actor and chef. He is known for his roles in popular television series, such as How I Met Your Mother. An openly gay actor, David Burtka serves as an inspiration to the LGBT community. Along with his husband Neil Patrick Harris, David Burtka contributes to the welfare of the LGBT community.
Birthdate: April 28, 1949
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: New York City, New York, USA
Died: August 14, 2006
37
Ayesha Curry(Host of The 'Food Network' Show 'Ayesha's Home Kitchen')
Birthdate: March 23, 1989
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Toronto, Canada
Ayesha Curry initially played guest roles in various series and films. She later gained fame with the Food Network culinary show Ayesha's Homemade and her YouTube channel, Little Lights of Mine. She has authored a cookbook and owns an olive oil brand. She is married to NBA star Stephen Curry.
Birthdate: March 6, 1970
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Washington, D.C., United States
Birthdate: December 19, 1980
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Americus, Georgia, United States
Birthdate: October 9, 1958
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, United States
Birthdate: January 4, 1977
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Seattle, Washington, United States
42
Jose Andres(Celebrity Chef, Restaurateur and Founder of World Central Kitchen (WCK))
Birthdate: July 13, 1969
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Mieres, Asturias, Spain
Jose Andres is a Spanish-born American restaurateur and chef. Andrés, who owns restaurants in many American cities like Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., New York City, Las Vegas, and Chicago, is credited with introducing the concept of small plates dining to America. Jose Andres was honored with the 2015 National Humanities Medal for founding a non-profit organization called World Central Kitchen.
43
Carla Hall(Chef who appeared in the fifth and eighth seasons of Top Chef, Bravo's cooking competition show)
Birthdate: May 12, 1964
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Nashville, Tennessee, United States
44
Kelis(Singer-songwriter and chef who is known for her hit singles "Milkshake" and "Bossy.")
Birthdate: August 21, 1979
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Harlem, New York, United States
Birthdate: April 28, 1944
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Chatham Borough
Birthdate: April 4, 1975
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Passaic, New Jersey, United States
Died: September 21, 2019
Birthdate: November 23, 1953
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Oklahoma City
Birthdate: May 5, 1903
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Portland
Died: January 21, 1985
49
Kimbal Musk(The Founder of 'The Kitchen Restaurant Group' and Co-Founder of 'Big Green' a 501 non profit organization)
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.
50
Christine Ha(First blind contestant of MasterChef and the winner of its third season in 2012)
Birthdate: May 9, 1979
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Los Angeles County, California, United States