It Pays To Cook
Nowhere in the world can cooks become more famous than in the US, where TV channels popularized the idea of celebrity chefs. America's top chefs have multi-million dollar empires built around the dishes they create, from restaurant chains to hit TV shows and product lines. Here are the 20 highest-paid chefs in America, proving that a career in the kitchen can be just as lucrative as one in the boardroom.
1. Gordon Ramsay
Gordon Ramsay is perhaps the most famous chef in the world, with several Michelin-starred restaurants and TV media deals. His annual earnings are approximately $38 million.
2. Rachael Ray
Rachael Ray is one of the most beloved American food TV personalities, famous for her quick and accessible 30-Minute Meals and her warm personality. Her yearly earnings from her cookbooks, media deals, and product lines are approximately $25 million.
3. Wolfgang Puck
Wolfgang Puck is an Austrian-American chef who became famous for popularizing California cuisine. His flagship restaurants have earned Michelin stars, and his charismatic personality has made him a TV star. His cookbooks, restaurants, and TV deals earn him at least $20 million a year.
4. Bobby Flay
Bobby Flay has long been a Food Network mainstay, but before that, he was already a successful restaurateur. His cookbooks, restaurants, and network deals earn him a healthy $26 million annually.
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5. Thomas Keller
Thomas Keller is the owner of two of the US's most prestigious restaurants, Per Se and The French Laundry. He's the first and only American chef to own multiple three-Michelin-star restaurants. His annual earnings are estimated between $20 million and $130 million.
6. Ina Garten
Ina Garten first made a name for herself in the culinary world when she opened the elite specialty food store The Barefoot Contessa, but her fame really skyrocketed when she began writing cookbooks, her book popularity earning her a spot on the Food Network. Her net worth is an estimated $60 million.
7. Paula Deen
Paula Deen became famous for her signature take on Southern cuisine. Her Food Network show "Paula's Home Cooking" made her a celebrity. Her media empire took a significant hit after she admitted to using a racial slur; however, her net worth is still around $12 million.
8. Guy Fieri
Guy Fieri is known for his lively and boisterous personality. He became famous after winning The Next Food Network Star in 2006, earning him his own show "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives." He has since built a culinary empire that earns him at least $80 million yearly.
9. Todd English
Todd English opened his wildly successful restaurant Olives in 1989, earning him international recognition. He played a key role in popularizing Mediterranean cuisine, and his charismatic personality and good looks made him a celebrity. He earns around $11 million a year as a restaurateur and TV personality.
10. Alain Ducasse
Alain Ducasse became internationally famous after becoming the first chef to own three three-Michelin-star restaurants. He's built a culinary and hospitality empire that includes restaurants, hotels, training programs, and a chocolate factory. His net worth is an estimated $300 million.
11. Nobu Matsuhisa
Nobu Matsuhisa is the brain behind Nikkei, Peruvian-Japanese fusion cuisine. His Beverley Hills restaurant Matsuhisa and his global Nobu restaurant brand brought his net worth up to an estimated $200 million.
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12. Mario Batali
Mario Batali built a successful restaurant empire with his fresh twist on Italian food. He's also a recurring Iron Chef and co-hosts ABC's "The Chew." His net worth is around $25 million.
13. Emeril Lagasse
Emeril Lagasse became famous for his vibrant personality almost as much as his bold Cajun cooking. He was an instrumental figure in the Food Network's growth. His net worth is around $70 million.
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14. José Andrés
José Andrés is credited with popularizing tapas in the US. He has an empire of eateries and is an Emmy-winning TV personality. His net worth is an estimated $50 million.
15. David Chang
David Chang is the founder of the popular Momofuku Noodle Bar, which revolutionized Asian fusion cuisine in the US and has grown into a global empire, including a Michelin-star restaurant and a line of retail products. He's also hosted several Netflix series, including "Ugly Delicious" and "Dinner Time With David Chang." His net worth is an estimated $20 million.
16. Rick Bayless
Rick Bayless is credited with popularizing authentic Mexican cuisine in the US, elevating public perception of Mexican food beyond Tex-Mex. He is the owner of two award-winning restaurants and is the host of the popular PBS show, "Mexico: One Plate at a Time." He has an estimated net worth of $30 million.
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17. Giada De Laurentiis
Giada De Laurentiis became famous for her charming TV personality as host of "Everyday Italian" and "Giada at Home," as well as for her bestselling cookbooks. Her estimated net worth is over $30 million.
18. Michael Symon
Michael Symon became a beloved permanent member of Iron Chef America after winning The Next Iron Chef in 2008. Known for his down-to-earth personality, he now hosts and judges several TV shows and owns several highly-regarded restaurants. His net worth is an estimated $14 million.
19. Martha Stewart
One of the most recognized celebrity chefs, Martha Stewart, began her culinary journey when she founded a catering business in the 1970s. She went on to become a media mogul with her own magazine, TV show, cookbooks, and lifestyle brand. Her net worth is an estimated $400 million.
20. Alton Brown
Alton Brown became famous for his groundbreaking Food Network show "Good Eats," which blended cooking and science with comedic storytelling. He has since expanded his TV presence into other Food Network shows, making him one of the channel's most recognized faces. His net worth is an estimated $13 million.
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