People only think the best chefs should be a male. Women were once considered too weak to work in restaurant kitchens so they have been underestimated.That would be one of the biggest misconceptions ever. Female chefs are attractive not only because of their beauty but also because of their talent. They are all confident, optimistic, know what they want and make their dream come true. These are 50 female chefs who have garnered notoriety world-wide.
1. Casey Thompson
| Casey Thompson | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Casey Thompson |
| Nationality | American |
| Current Position | Executive Chef at Folktable, Sonoma, California |
| Previous Positions | Sous Chef at The Mansion Restaurant, Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek Executive Chef at Shinsei, Dallas Executive Chef at Brownstone, Fort Worth Owner of Aveline at Warwick Hotel, San Francisco Executive Chef at Morada, The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe |
| Television Appearances | Top Chef: Miami (Season 3) Top Chef: All-Stars (Season 8) Top Chef: Charleston (Season 14) Top Chef Junior (Guest Judge, Episode 7) |
| Notable Achievements | Runner-up and Fan Favorite on Top Chef: Miami Appointed U.S. Ambassador for Terrazas de los Andes Folktable named Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand establishment in 2021 |
| Partner | Michael DeSantis (Co-owner of Harumph Wines) |
Casey came from two very different family culinary backgrounds, southern style and French cuisine. It was here that she found cooking to be her destiny. Her professional start came as a prep cook at the Mansion on Turtle Creek in Dallas, Texas where she spent hours peeling potatoes, killing lobster and tying corn husk bows.
Soon she would be setting up in a higher station then one after another, station by station she eventually achieved the title of sous chef under the Southwest Legend, Dean Fearing. She spent years living in Napa, learning about food and wine pairings and developing relationships with local farms.
2. Whitney Miller
| Whitney Miller | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Whitney Leigh Miller Humphrey |
| Birthdate | June 1, 1988 |
| Nationality | American |
| Claim to Fame | Winner of the first season of MasterChef (US) |
| Cooking Style | Southern food with a modern twist |
| Notable Achievement | Named the first American MasterChef winner |
| Cookbook | Author of “Modern Hospitality: Simple Recipes with Southern Charm” |
| Professional Engagements | Featured chef at The St. Regis Tianjin in China, opening night chef at Chefdance 2013 |
| Magazine Articles | Flavors, Taste of Home, Southern Living, and more |
| Restaurant Affiliation | Joined The Coop in Orlando, Florida (Owned by John Rivers of 4 Rivers Smokehouse) |
Whitney is a chef, cookbook author, recipe and menu developer, food stylist and food judge. She was the MasterChef season 1 winner. After MasterChef, Whitney returned to college to complete her degree and released her cookbook Modern Hospitality: Simple Recipes with Southern Charm and further released Whitney Miller’s New Southern Table. At age 22, Whitney was the youngest person to win MasterChef until Dara took that title for her winner at age 20.
3. Esther Choi
| Esther Choi | Information |
| Name | Esther Choi |
| Date of Birth | November 20 |
| Place of Birth | New York, United States |
| Occupation | Chef, Social Media Personality |
Esther Choi is a celebrity chef and social media personality best known for being the owner and lead chef of the Brooklyn based Mokbar. She introduces patrons to the flavors of Korean culture while combining traditional and modern influences with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Since she was 14, she has worked in restaurants.
Choi began at Rutgers majoring in pharmacy then transferred to psychology, which led her to a position in sales and marketing for a software company that left her feeling unfulfilled. Then she worked behind the scenes with producers and was at Food Network. She finds it similar to how a restaurant runs, a high-energy operation on a strict timeline in a high stress environment. That fits her personality.
In 2017, Esther founded the Korean eatery Mokbar in New York City’s Chelsea Market. Mokkbar was also acclaimed as the Village Voice’s 2014 Reader’s Choice Best New Restaurant & awarded Best Kimchi in 2015. Currently, she is a contestant of Iron Chef, she has left a strong impression for her spectacular dishes.
4. Claire Robinson
| Claire Robinson | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Claire Robinson |
| Born | Jacksonville, Florida, US |
| Education | University of Memphis, graduated in 1999 with a degree in communications The French Culinary Institute, graduated in 2005 |
| Culinary Career | Television host, author, and cook |
| Cooking Style | Southern and French Food |
| Television Show(s) | 5 Ingredient Fix Chef Race: UK vs. US Food Network Challenge |
| Notable Achievements | Hosted Food Network series 5 Ingredient Fix Hosted Food Network Challenge (2010-present) Co-host of Chef Race: UK vs. US (2012-present) with Richard Corrigan on BBC America |
| Birthplace | Jacksonville, Florida, US |
| Family Background | Ethnically diverse family Grandparents with PhDs in education Grandfather, former president of the University of Memphis |
Claire is a chef and television personality. She is best known for her Food Network show 5 Ingredient Fix. A Graduate of both University of Memphis and the French Culinary Institute, Claire believes the best dishes feature carefully selected few ingredients, a straightforward cooking style that also promotes healthier and seasonal eating.
Claire shows viewers how to enhance the natural flavors of carefully selected, fresh ingredients to illustrate her belief that each ingredient should truly stand out in a recipe.
5. Candice Brown
| Candice Brown | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Candace Dean Brown |
| Born | June 15, 1980 |
| Birthplace | Culver City, California, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Actress, Comedian |
| Notable Works | Grey’s Anatomy, Desperate Housewives, Head Case, Wizards Of Waverly Place |
| Education | Glendale High School, California State University, Northridge |
| Acting Training | Studied under Ivana Chubbuck at The Groundlings Theater |
| Debut | TV debut on Party Of Five (1995) |
| Feature Film Debut | The Cat In The Hat (2003) |
| Notable TV Roles | Natalie in The Sarah Silverman Program, The Genie in Wizards Of Waverly Place, Sarah Drummond in Torchwood: Miracle Day |
| Role in Shameless | Portrayed Alana Murphy in the show’s second season |
| Recent Appearances | The Mindy Project, Suburgatory, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno |
| Comedy and Improv | Regular performer in stand-up comedy and improv shows across the U.S. |
Candice Brown is a famous Chef, in the United Kingdom. Candice Brown is best known to television audiences for her fabulous cakes and bakes after being a winner on The Great British Bake Off in 2016. Candice’s first book, Comfort (Ebury Press) was released in July 2017. The recipes are easy to make for everyone.
Candice learned to bake from her nan and mum. Candice strives to emulate her style, often referring back to her treasured recipe book and hand written notes. Candice loves everything vintage and her sense of style certainly captured Great British Bake Off viewers’ attention.
When it comes to stunning women over 40 and 50, Candice Brown is definitely a name that comes to mind. Known for her impressive baking skills and winning the seventh series of The Great British Bake Off, Candice has become a style icon. To discover more inspiring women over 40 and 50, check out this article on women over 40 and women over 50.
6. Katie Lee
| Katie Lee | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Katie Lee |
| Birthdate | September 14, 1981 (age 41) |
| Birthplace | Huntington, West Virginia, US |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Cookbook Author, Television Food Critic, Novelist |
| Education | Studied Journalism and Food Science at Miami University |
| Notable Accomplishments | Published Two Cookbooks, Judge on Iron Chef America, Co-host of The Kitchen, Host of Beach Bites with Katie Lee |
| Books | “The Comfort Table” – Published by Simon & Schuster |
| TV Shows | The Kitchen (Co-host), Beach Bites with Katie Lee |
| Other Appearances | Bravo’s Top Chef (Season 1 Host), Halloween Baking Championship Judge |
| Contributions | The Early Show, Extra, Gotham magazine (Contributing Editor), Hamptons magazine (Culinary & Lifestyle Column) |
| Humanitarian Work | Member of Feeding America Entertainment Council, Volunteer for Les Dames d’Escoffier |
| Personal Life | Formerly married to Billy Joel, Currently married to Ryan Biegel, Daughter born in 2020 |
Katie has been working as an author and food critic. She has also appeared as a cook and judge on various shows. She studied journalism and food science at Miami University in Oxford and graduated in 2003. At the very first days of her career, Katie worked in several different bars and restaurants. Only when she created with her partner Aleishall Girard the gastronomie website OliveAndPeach.com, it helped to increase her fame.
Katie is a member of the Feeding America Entertainment Council, a group that provides humanitarian aid worldwide. She has also volunteered for Les Dames d’Escoffier, an organization that educates women in the culinary profession.
7. Farah Quinn
| Farah Quinn | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Farah Quinn |
| Birthdate | April 8, 1980 |
| Birthplace | Bandung, Indonesia |
| Occupation(s) | Chef, Celebrity Chef |
| Years Active | 2008 – Present |
| Children | Armand Fauzan Quinn |
| Awards | Best Presenter for hobby and lifestyle television program (2013 Panasonic Gobel Award) |
| Education | Bachelor’s degree in finance, Degree in pastry arts |
| Notable Restaurants | Camus (opened in Phoenix, Arizona in 2003) |
| Collaboration | Created dishes for Air Asia’s Indonesia flights, showcasing the best of Indonesian cuisine |
| TV Career | Hosted “Ala Chef” cooking show, exploring local cuisine of Indonesia |
| Media Appearances | Guest star appearances, endorsements in TV commercials, featured in magazines and newspapers |
Farah is a chef and TV personality who possesses a bold and elegant style. She rose in 2008 with her knowledge, skill and charming good looks. She attended Pennsylvania Culinary Institute in the US, and opened a restaurant, Camus, in Phoenix, Arizona in 2003. She decided to go to Indonesia in 2008 to begin a new career as a television personality, hosting culinary shows. She also has a youtube channel where she shares her cooking tips, etiquette and daily life. Her sense of fashion is a particular one. She gives her chic, elegant, feminine style at the same time.
8. Ingrid Hoffman
| Ingrid Hoffman | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ingrid Hoffman |
| Birthdate | April 10, 1965 |
| Birthplace | Barranquilla, Colombia |
| Nationality | Colombian-American |
| Occupation | Television personality, Restaurateur |
| Cooking Style | Latin American cuisine |
| Television Shows | Simply Delicioso, Delicioso |
| Published Cookbook | Simply Delicioso: A Collection of Everyday Recipes with a Latin Twist |
| Background | Raised in Cali and Curaçao, daughter of a pilot and a Cordon Bleu-trained chef |
| Restaurant Ventures | Co-founded popular Miami restaurant, Rocca |
| Media Appearances | Featured on various TV shows and morning programs |
| Product Lines | Simply Delicioso cookware line, Furi cutlery and kitchen accessories line |
| Philanthropy | Actively involved in supporting charitable organizations such as Amigos For Kids, Believe for Colombia Foundations, and the Humane Society |
| Column Contributor | Contributes a monthly culinary column to a prominent magazine |
Ingrid is passionate about food and entertaining,so she wants to share her enthusiasm and talent with an international audience. Ingrid launched Simply Delicioso on Food Network and also hosts her own Spanish-language cooking and lifestyle show, Delicioso.
Ingrid’s fascination with food, cooking and style when she was a little girl. She started cooking with her mother, a Cordon Bleu chef, at such a young age. With her mother she discovered not only a love of cooking, but found a flair for entertaining, and in no time developed her own distinctive style.
9. Nigella Lawson
| Nigella Lawson | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Nigella Lawson |
| Born | 6 January 1960, Wandsworth, London, England |
| Education | Godolphin and Latymer School, London |
| Alma Mater | Lady Margaret Hall, University of Oxford |
| Occupations | Food writer, Television cook, Food critic, Author, Television presenter |
| Years Active | 1983–present |
| Known For | TV presenting, Cookery, Writing |
| Style | Desserts, Pastry, Middle Eastern, English, Mediterranean |
| Spouses | John Diamond, Charles Saatchi |
| Children | 2 |
| Parents | Nigel Lawson (father), Vanessa Salmon (mother) |
| Relatives | Dominic Lawson (brother) |
Nigella is an English food writer and television chef. She started her career as a book reviewer and restaurant critic. Then she became a freelance reporter who had written for many newspapers and magazines. Nigella takes cooking as her own pleasure, never thinking that she will make money from cooking. She hosted her own cooking shows which hit a high rating.
Nigella is known as the Queen of The Kitchen of England. However, her dishes and culinary style are simple so almost everyone can replicate them. Her first cookbook, How to Eat, was published in 1998 and sold 300,000 copies, becoming a bestseller at this time. And the second one won the British Book Award for Author of the Year.
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10. Renatta Moeloek
| Renatta Moeloek | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Renatta Moeloek |
| Date of Birth | March 17, 1994 |
| Place of Birth | Bengkulu, Indonesia |
| Nationality | Indonesian |
| Education | Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Art, Paris, France |
| Degree | Diploma Superior Cuisine and Superior Pastry |
| Work Experience | Michelin-starred restaurant – Garance Saint Dominique, Paris, France |
| Current Occupations | Cooking specialist, Restaurateur, Private dinner event organizer, Menu and restaurant consultant |
| Culinary Promotion | Actively promotes Indonesian cuisine internationally, particularly in Europe |
| Television Shows | MasterChef Indonesia (Seasons 5 to 10) |
| Notable Achievements | Most Favorite Judges Talent Search (MasterChef Indonesia Season 7 and 8) at RCTI+ Indonesian Digital Awards 2021, Indonesia’s Beautiful Women 2020 by HighEnd magazine |
Renatta Moeloek is a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu, a haute cuisine cooking school in France. With the title Diploma Superior Cuisine and Superior Pastry, Renatta had the opportunity to work at a Michelin restaurant, Garance Saint Dominique in Paris, France. She is one of the judges in MasterChef Indonesia 2018.
Renatta Moeloek’s most famous business today, Ruma Dining, which is a catering service for various agencies. In addition, she also introduced to the public about typical and unique foods. Until now she managed a number of restaurant, catering, and menu consultant businesses. Her goal is to bring the diversity of Indonesian cuisine to the world and to male it reachable to many more people.
11. Rachael Ray
| Rachael Ray | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Rachael Domenica Ray |
| Birthdate | August 25, 1968 |
| Birthplace | Glens Falls, New York, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Television personality, cook, author, businesswoman |
| Years Active | 2001–present |
| Spouse | John M. Cusimano |
| Notable Programs | Rachael Ray, 30 Minute Meals, Rachael Ray’s Tasty Travels, $40 a Day, Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off, Rachael Ray’s Kids Cook-Off, Rachael Ray’s Week in a Day |
| Notable Achievements | Three Daytime Emmy Awards |
| Notable Books | Multiple cookbooks including the 30 Minute Meals concept and The Book of Burger |
| Philanthropy | Founder of Yum-O! nonprofit organization promoting healthy relationships with food and cooking |
| Residence | Lake Luzerne, New York (main residence) |
Rachael Ray is an American television personality, businesswoman, celebrity chef, and author. Rachael has published over 30 cookbooks. Her famous series was 30 Minute Meals. The idea was from her experience working at a supermarket where she was meeting people who haven’t had time to cook. Importantly, she taught a course that showed how to make a meal in under 30 minutes. She is known for her natural, simple and accessible style.
12. Ravinder Bhogal
| Ravinder Bhogal | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ravinder Bhogal |
| Birthplace | Nairobi, Kenya |
| Culinary Career | British chef, food writer, and restaurateur |
| Current Restaurant(s) | Jikoni, Marylebone, London |
| Television Show(s) | Host of Ravinder’s Kitchen |
| Award(s) Won | Gourmand World Cookbook Award Evening Standard Progress 1000 2017 & 2019 Asian Women of Achievement Award in Media 2013 |
| Notable Books | Cook in Boots (Gourmand World Cookbook Award winner) Jikoni: Proudly Inauthentic Recipes from an Immigrant Kitchen (2021 IACP Cookbook Award winner) |
| Media Presence | Regular columns for FT Weekend and Guardian Feast Contributing editor at Harper’s Bazaar |
| TV Appearances | Winner of a cooking competition judged by Gordon Ramsay and Angela Hartnett Host of Ravinder’s Kitchen on TLC |
| Accolades | Multiple appearances in the Evening Standard Progress 1000 list Asian Women of Achievement Award in Media (2013) Michelin Guide recognition for Jikoni Carbon Neutral certification for Jikoni (2021) |
| Restaurant Rankings | Jikoni ranked among top UK Restaurants by the National Restaurant Awards Squaremeal’s London’s Top 100 Restaurants 2022 Time Out’s Top 100 in 2023 for Jikoni |
Ravinder’s food is inspired by her mixed heritage and the UK’s diverse culture. Ravinder is a journalist, chef and restaurateur. Her first restaurant, Jikoni, was ranked 56th in the UK by the National Restaurant Awards within 7 months of opening and achieved a coveted place in the Michelin Guide in the same year. In 2017, she launched a 4 month vegan pop-up at the W Hotel which was voted The Best Vegan restaurant in the country by Harper’s Bazaar within a few weeks of opening. In 2020, she also launched a sustainable vegetarian home delivery brand Comfort and Joy.
She has authored two books, Jikoni: Proudly Inauthentic Recipes from an Immigrant Kitchen and Cook in Boots, these two have won many prestigious awards.
13. Christina Tosi
| Christina Tosi | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Christina Tosi |
| Birthdate | 1981 (age 41–42) |
| Birthplace | Berea, Ohio, U.S. |
| Education | James Madison University, French Culinary Institute |
| Spouse | Will Guidara (married in 2016) |
| Children | 2 |
| Culinary Career | Founder and co-owner of Milk Bar, chef, and CEO |
| Cooking Style | Pastry, dessert, French, Italian, Southern American cuisine |
| Notable Creations | Milk Bar Pie, Cereal Milk, Compost Cookies |
| Awards | James Beard Foundation Rising Star Chef of the Year (2012), James Beard Outstanding Pastry Chef (2015) |
| Cookbooks | Momofuku Milk Bar (2011), Milk Bar Life (2015), Dessert Can Save the World (2022) |
| TV Appearances | Judge on MasterChef and MasterChef Junior, presenter on Bake Squad, judge on Chopped |
| Recognition | Included in Food & Wine Magazine’s “Most Innovative Women in Food and Drink” (2014) |
| Personal Interests | Popsicle stick art, running, embroidery |
Christina is nicknamed the “queen” of cakes. Even Gordon Ramsay – the world-famous Chef has repeatedly been surprised at Christina Tosi’s talent and praised her many times. She is one of three judges of the world famous cooking show Master Chef USA with Gordon Ramsay and Graham Elliot.
From a young age, she showed a passion for cooking, she used to combine ingredients and create new dishes. She majored in math and fell into baking. Graduated in applied mathematics but after working part-time at a bakery, she decided to enroll in the French Culinary Institute with a baker arts program. Gradually, the passion for cakes grew stronger, giving Christina Tosi the strength to confidently pursue to the end.
She founded Momofuku Milk Bar – a bakery shop. Milk Bar entered the Top 10 most interesting bakeries in America voted by Bon Appetit magazine.
14. Devin Alexander
| Devin Alexander | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Devin Alexander |
| Occupation | Celebrity Chef, Author, and Media Personality |
| Education | Smith College and Westlake Culinary Institute |
| TV Host | Host of “Healthy Decadence” on Fit TV |
| TV Appearances | The Today Show, Good Morning America, The Biggest Loser, Access Hollywood |
| The Biggest Loser Involvement | Wrote “The Biggest Loser Cookbook” series, appeared on the show |
| Additional Cookbooks | “Fast Food Fix,” “The Most Decadent Diet Ever!,” “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Fattening” |
| Culinary Advisor | Culinary Advisor to Men’s Fitness |
| Cooking Expert | Former Cooking Expert to Women’s Health |
| Advisory Board Memberships | American Culinary Federation’s Chef Child Foundation, Larry King Foundation |
| Magazine Features | Featured in over 500 magazine features including Prevention, Women’s Health, Men’s Health, Shape |
Devin was born on August 31, 1971, she is a chef and TV personality. People know her for her show Devin Alexander’s Southern Kitchen through her website where she has posted her recipes and healthy tips . She was also a judge on the third season of Top Chef and a celebrity chef on the NBC show.
She is an expert on nutritious food and her goal is to spread the message about the importance of food for health. She also shares how to make healthier recipes but still taste the same, food and lifestyle hacks on shows such as The Today Show, Good Morning America. She has written 8 bestselling books and is constantly finding new ways to make healthy living simple and fun.
15. Rachel Allen
| Rachel Allen | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Rachel Allen |
| Birthdate | March 21, 1972 |
| Birthplace | Dublin, Ireland |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Alma Mater | Dublin Institute of Technology |
| Occupations | Television chef, Writer, Author, Businesswoman |
| Known for | TV chef |
| Television | Rachel’s Favourite Food, Rachel’s Favourite Food for Friends, Rachel’s Favourite Food at Home, Rachel Allen: Bake!, The Restaurant, My Kitchen Rules |
| Relatives | Darina Allen (Mother-in-law), Myrtle Allen (Grandmother-in-law), Lucca Allen (Son) |
| Education | Ballymaloe Cookery School |
| Career Highlights | Appeared on Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ) |
| Achievements | 2012 Irish Book Award for Best Non-Fiction for Easy Meals |
| Personal Life | Married to Isaac Allen |
| Residence | Shanagarry, County Cork, Ireland |
Rachel Allen is a bestselling cookery writer, TV chef and celebrated teacher at the world-famous Ballymaloe Cookery School in County Cork, Ireland. She also has her own cooking show on RTE. Rachel is the author of several best selling cookery books, which include Rachel’s Favorite Food at Home and Rachel’s Food for Living.
Allen is a frequent guest on BBC’s Saturday Kitchen, and was one of the presenters on the Good Food Channel’s Market Kitchen show. Her charming manner and effortless style make her a delight to watch.
16. Cat Cora
| Cat Cora | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Cat Cora |
| Birthdate | April 3, 1967 |
| Birthplace | Jackson, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Education | University of Southern Mississippi, Culinary Institute of America |
| Height | 4 ft 11 in (1.49 m) |
| Spouses | Jennifer Cora (m. 2013; div. 2015), Nicole Ehrlich (m. 2018; div. 2021) |
| Children | 4 |
| Cooking Style | Mediterranean (Greek), Fusion (“Hellasian”), French |
| Current Restaurant | Cat Cora’s Que, Costa Mesa, CA (2008–present) |
| Previous Restaurants | Kouzzina by Cat Cora, Orlando, Florida (2009–2014), Cat Cora’s Kitchen, Atlanta, Georgia (2016–2020) |
| Television Shows | Iron Chef America, Kitchen Accomplished, Melting Pot, “MasterChef”, Around the World in 80 Plates |
| Profession | Professional chef, television personality, business person, cookbook author |
| Notable Role | Featured “Iron Chef” on Iron Chef America |
| Partnership | Aramark, providing dining options under Olilo and Wicked Eats |
| Cookbook | Cat Cora’s Kitchen (2004) |
| Philanthropy | Co-founder of Chefs For Humanity |
| Legal Incident | Arrested for driving under the influence |
Cat was born and raised in Athens, Greece. She is a world-renowned chef, author, restaurateur, contributing editor, television host and personality, avid philanthropist, health and fitness expert, lifestyle entrepreneur. In 2005, Cat Cora made television history when she became the first-ever female Iron Chef on Food Network’s hit show: Iron Chef America and 3-time winner on the show. She has been called the Hottest Female Chef Alive.
On July 12, 2015 Cora was inducted into the American Academy of Chefs Hall of Fame by The American Culinary Federation, becoming the first female chef ever to receive this recognition.
17. Rachel Khoo
| Rachel Khoo | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Rachel Khoo |
| Birthdate | 28 August 1980 |
| Birthplace | Croydon, South London, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Ethnicity | Chinese-Malaysian, Austrian |
| Occupation | Cook, Author, Broadcaster |
| Alma Mater | Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design |
| Languages | English, French, German, some Swedish |
| Television | The Little Paris Kitchen: Cooking with Rachel Khoo Rachel Khoo’s Kitchen Notebook: London Rachel Khoo’s Kitchen Notebook: Cosmopolitan Cook Rachel Khoo’s Kitchen Notebook: Melbourne Rachel Khoo My Swedish Kitchen Zumbo’s Just Desserts Rachel Khoo’s Simple Pleasures Great British Menu The Great Australian Bake Off |
| Spouse | Robert Wiktorin |
| Children | 2 |
| Residence | Stockholm, Sweden |
Rachel is a food writer, cookbook author and TV personality. Rachel’s food background has helped formulate her unique culinary style. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Art & Design from Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London.
Thereafter she worked for a luxury fashion brand, doing PR and e-marketing. Ultimately, her passion for pâtisserie lured her to Paris, where she studied at Le Cordon Bleu and obtained a pastry degree.
She is famous for the cookbook, The Little Paris Kitchen, which has been translated into several languages. Her first cookery show The Little Paris Kitchen was aired on BBC 2 from the 19th March 2012 for six weeks and has since been shown around the world.
18. Lisa Faulkner
| Lisa Faulkner | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Lisa Faulkner |
| Birthdate | February 12, 1966 |
| Birthplace | San Francisco, California, United States |
| Education | San Francisco Art Institute |
| Culinary Career | Pioneering American, Italian, California, Globally Inspired Chef |
| Notable Restaurants | Citizen Cake, Orson, Krescendo, Corvo Bianco |
| Television Appearances | The Next Iron Chef: Super Chefs, Tournament of Champions |
| Notable Achievements | Winner of the World Pizza Championship (2012) |
| Residence | Los Angeles, California |
| Occupation | Chef, Pastry Chef, Author, Restaurateur, Consulting Chef |
| LGBTQ Advocacy | Active member of the LGBTQ community, involved with Act Up and Human Rights Campaign |
Lisa started her career as an actress and has since become a successful cook. Lisa Faulkner is a British TV chef, presenter and former actress. She won Celebrity Masterchef in 2010. Furthermore, her successful acting career spanned many years of television drama favorites. Faulkner was voted one of FHM’s “100 Sexiest Women in the World” six times between 1999 and 2000.
Lisa focuses on food she loves to cook for her family and friends, with an original collection of over 120 recipes, she released her book The Way I Cook… She has been on a mission to show that cooking cost-effectively for the family is easy, delicious and energy-efficient.
19. Sandra Lee
| Sandra Lee | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sandra Lee Christiansen (née Waldroop) |
| Birthdate | July 3, 1966 |
| Birthplace | Santa Monica, California, U.S. |
| Occupations | Television chef, author, documentary producer |
| Television | Semi-Homemade Cooking with Sandra Lee |
| Spouse | Bruce Karatz (m. 2001; div. 2005) |
| Partners | Andrew Cuomo (2005–2019) |
| Awards | Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lifestyle/Culinary Host (2012) |
| First Lady of New York | In role De facto January 1, 2011 – September 25, 2019 |
| Governor | Andrew Cuomo |
| Preceded by | Michelle Paige Paterson |
| Succeeded by | William J. Hochul Jr. (First Gentleman) |
| Education | University of Wisconsin-La Crosse |
| Notable Achievements | – Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lifestyle/Culinary Host (2012) |
Sandra Lee is a multiple Emmy Award winner, an internationally acclaimed food and lifestyle expert, and a contributor on Good Morning America. During her career she has been the creator and host of numerous television series on Food Network, Cooking Channel, HGTV and Great American Country.
She has written 27 books, including a novel titled The Recipe Box and a memoir titled Made From Scratch. She is known for her charitable work. For the last decade, Sandra has served as the national spokesperson for No Kid Hungry, and she works nationally with Meals on Wheels, Food Banks across America.
20. Dipna Anand
| Dipna Anand | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Dipna Anand |
| Birthdate | August 25, 1971 (age 51) |
| Birthplace | London, England |
| Education | Business Administration School of Geneva |
| Culinary Career | Indian cuisine |
| Television Shows | Great Food Live, Anjum’s Spice Stories, Market Kitchen, Indian Food Made Easy |
Dipna is a well known chef from India, who specializes in regional Indian cuisine. Dipna Anand is a co-own the famous ‘Brilliant Restaurant’ in Southall, specializing in Punjabi cuisine. This star not only has a great eye for visual appeal but is knowledgeable in traditional cooking techniques which she incorporates into her dishes. In the kitchen, Dipna is competitive and precise with her knife skills and loves to add her own creative spin to dishes.
Dipna is known as the curry queen of the Indian cookery world however has expertise and knowledge in a range of cuisines from around the world. People are impressed by her quick, easy and express style recipes. She believes cooking should be fun, exciting, easy and quick.
21. Brooke Williamson
| Brooke Williamson | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Brooke Elliot Williamson |
| Birthdate | August 15, 1978 |
| Birthplace | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Chef, Television Personality, Restaurateur |
| Television Appearances | Top Chef, Knife Fight, Guy’s Grocery Games, BBQ Brawl, MTV’s House of Food |
| Restaurants | Playa Provisions, Company for Dinner, Amuse Café, Hudson House, The Tripel, Tripli-Kit, Da Kikokiko |
| Philanthropic Efforts | Member of the Leadership Council of No Kid Hungry, Supporter of the James Beard Foundation, Help Feed the Frontline LA, World Central Kitchen |
| Accolades | “Rising Star Chefs” title from StarChefs (2004) |
| Top Chef Achievements | Winner of Season 14 |
| Food Network Tournament of Champions | Winner of the inaugural tournament (2020), Runner-up in 2021 and 2022 |
Brooke began her culinary career as a teacher’s assistant at the Epicurean Institute of Los Angeles. Then she opened the Brentwood eatery Zax as Executive Chef, where she began to develop her signature California-inspired cuisine—infused with local ingredients, global flavors, and centered around the idea that simplicity goes a long way.
Williamson won Bravo’s “Top Chef” Season 14 in Charleston in March 2017 and a few years prior was a runner-up on “Top Chef” Season 10 in Seattle, which catapulted her career.
22. Eden Grinshpan
| Eden Grinshpan | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Eden Grinshpan |
| Occupation | Canadian chef and television host |
| Birthplace | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Residence | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Hosting Career | Host of Top Chef Canada since 2017 |
| Culinary Education | Studied culinary arts at Le Cordon Bleu in London, graduating in 2006 |
| TV Shows | Co-created and hosted Eden Eats and Log On and Eat With Eden |
| Restaurant Venture | Launched Middle-eastern inspired restaurant Dez in 2018 (now closed) |
| Cookbook | Published her first cookbook “Eating Out Loud” in 2020 |
| Family | Lives in Toronto with husband, Ido Nivron, and their two daughters |
Eden Grinshpan is the host of top chef canada and the author of eating out loud: bold middle eastern flavors for all day every day.
Eden graduated with “Grande Diplôme” in Pastry and Cuisine from Le Cordon Bleu in London. After graduating, she took her love of culinary and travel to India, Israel, and Southeast Asia to learn the culture and cuisines. While in India, Eden volunteered with an orphanage called Ramanas Garden, where she opened a café to raise money and awareness for the orphanage.
In May 2018, Eden partnered with Chloe Founder Samantha Wasser to open DEZ, a Middle Eastern fast casual restaurant in NYC that featured a menu inspired by Eden’s Israeli heritage and travels.
23. Nadia Giosia
| Nadia Giosia | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Nadia Giosia |
| Birthdate | May 12, 1980 |
| Birthplace | Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Occupation | Musician, Celebrity Chef |
| Known For | Hosting Nadia G’s Bitchin’ Kitchen and Bite This with Nadia G |
| Culinary Training | Mostly self-taught with recipes developed from family tradition |
| Upbringing | Grew up in a large Italian family where food and laughter were central |
| Residence | Los Angeles, California |
| Television Shows | Nadia G’s Bitchin’ Kitchen Bite This with Nadia G |
| Music Festival | Creator of the 2015 Riot Grill music festival |
| Band | Lead singer of The Menstruators (punk rock band) |
| Web Series | Getting Irritated with Nadia G Creep Shaming with Nadia G Sick Kitchens |
| Notable Appearances | Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern Iron Chef America Chopped All-Stars Cutthroat Kitchen |
| Competitions | Fridge Wars Cutthroat Kitchen Superstar Sabotage Tournament |
Nadia is regarded as one of the most famous chefs. She is also a comedian and punk rock singer. She is the perfect blend of food and humor. Her recipes are influenced by the food she grew up eating and the local cuisine of her hometown, Montreal Canada.
Her YouTube web series Nadia G’s Bitchin’ Kitchen is a funny cooking show that everyone enjoys. Nadia G’s best-selling book, The Bitchin’ Kitchen Cookbook: Rock Your Kitchen and Let the Boys Clean Up the Mess won awards for Favorite Mobile Series and Hottest Emerging Digital Brand in Canada and was nominated for Brand of the Year in 2009.
24. Marcea Luz Valladolid
| Marcea Luz Valladolid | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Marcea Luz Valladolid |
| Birthdate | July 19, 1978 |
| Birthplace | San Diego, California, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Ritz-Escoffier Cooking School, Los Angeles Culinary Institute |
| Career Highlights | Food Network TV host and judge, author |
| Cooking Style | Mexican |
| Notable TV Shows | Mexican Made Easy, Best Baker in America, The Kitchen |
| Cookbooks Published | Fresh Mexico: 100 Simple Recipes for True Mexican Flavor, Mexican Made Easy |
| Children | 3 |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Additional Highlights | – Started cooking career at her Aunt Marcela’s cooking school in Tijuana, Mexico |
Marcea is an American chef and author. Although this chef was born and raised in America, she carries Mexican blood. As a result, she grew fond of Mexican food and cultures from a very young age. Moreover, she belongs to a family that specializes in the food business. Due to her passion for cooking, Marcela was headstrong in making a career in the field of culinary arts.
Marcela has also worked on numerous big television cooking shows on American and Mexican food channels as a host and judge. She is commonly recognized by the people for appearing on Food Network‘s cookery show ‘Mexican Made Easy‘ and also known for appearing as a judge on another top cooking show in the USA, ‘Best Baker in America‘
25. Anne Burrell
| Anne Burrell | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Anne Burrell |
| Birthdate | September 21, 1969 |
| Birthplace | Cazenovia, New York, United States |
| Education | The Culinary Institute of America |
| Spouse | Stuart Claxton (married in 2021) |
| Previous Restaurant(s) | Centro Vinoteca |
| Television Show(s) | Secrets of a Restaurant Chef |
| Former Instructor | Institute of Culinary Education |
| Iron Chef America | Sous Chef for Mario Batali |
| Notable Appearances | The Best Thing I Ever Ate |
| The Next Iron Chef | Contestant (Season 4) |
| Chopped All-Stars | Contestant and winner (Season 1 and 4) |
| Worst Cooks in America | Co-host and winning mentor (Seasons 1, 3, and 4) |
| Chef Wanted with Anne Burrell | Hosted the series (2012–2013) |
| Restaurant Ventures | Phil & Anne’s Good Time Lounge (Brooklyn, opened in 2017) |
Anne is famous for her spiky hair and her time on Iron Chef. Burrell graduated with a degree in English and communications, but she soon found that cooking is hẻ real passion. She then studied cooking at the Culinary Institute of America and continued her studies in Italy. Her mother was her first cooking teacher.
Anne Burrell is considered a rock star in the food industry. She is the host of multiple Food Network television shows and has worked at several prestigious restaurants. Burrell has had a long and successful career in the culinary world.
26. Helena Rizzo
| Helena Rizzo | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Helena Rizzo |
| Birthdate | December 6, 1978 |
| Birthplace | Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil |
| Nationality | Brazilian |
| Career | Chef, Restaurateur |
| Restaurant | Maní, São Paulo |
| Education | Studied Architecture at Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul |
| Notable Achievement | Best Female Chef of the Year |
| Television Appearance | Judge on The Final Table, Season 1 (Brazil episode) |
| Recognition | Named one of the 30 best restaurants in the world by Food & Wine |
Helena Rizzo, a Brazilian female Chef has made the whole world admire her skill and dedication to the culinary. Helena Rizzo is also a symbol of passion and effort, becoming a strong encouragement for women to try to pursue their dreams to become a chef.
While working at jobs like modeling, she was a waitress for some restaurants. Then she found out that she belonged to the gastronomy field. She decided to move to Europe to pursue her dream.
After a while, she builds relationships in the culinary industry and cooperates with her husband, a Spanish chef, to open a restaurant named Mani at her hometown Sao Paulo. At the restaurant, they create contemporary cuisine deeply rooted in ingredients symbolic of Brazilian cooking.
27. Chef Tam
| Chef Tam | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Chef Tam |
| Occupation | Chef |
| Activity Sectors | Food, Hospitality |
| Description | A talented Japanese chef known for expertise in slicing fish for sushi |
| Education Required | Apprenticeship |
| Related Jobs | Baker, Sushi Chef, Culinary Artist |
| Specialization | Proficient in all aspects of food preparation with a focus on Japanese cuisine |
| Experience | Several years of experience in high-end restaurants |
| Responsibilities | Menu creation, managing kitchen staff, ordering and purchasing inventory, controlling costs, plating design |
| Hierarchy Position | Sous-Chef de Cuisine (Second-in-command in the kitchen) |
| Skills | Excellent knife skills, attention to detail, creativity in flavor combinations |
| Uniform | Traditional chef’s uniform, including a toque, neckerchief, double-breasted jacket, apron, and sturdy shoes |
| Training Period | Completed a 3-4 year apprenticeship in culinary arts |
| Kitchen Organization | Familiar with the brigade system and its hierarchy |
| Continuing Education | Engages in ongoing training to stay updated with new techniques and trends |
| Specialties | Expert in fish cutting techniques for sushi and sashimi |
| Team Management | Experienced in supervising and training kitchen staff |
| Passion | Dedicated to delivering exceptional culinary experiences to customers |
| Attention to Hygiene | Strict adherence to hygiene and safety standards in the kitchen |
| Creativity | Constantly experimenting with flavors and ingredients to create innovative dishes |
| Meticulousness | Pays close attention to plating and presentation for visually appealing dishes |
| Collaboration | Works closely with suppliers to ensure the use of fresh and high-quality ingredients |
Born and raised in Bangkok, Tam left Thailand to finish high school in the UK, and later studied nutrition at the University of Nottingham. She then went to culinary school in New York, and later worked at such prestigious restaurants as Jean-Georges, and Dan Barber’s Blue Hill at Stone Barns. She returned to Thailand in 2017 she became interested in farming and agriculture, and before opening Baan Tepa Culinary Space she did several pop-up events, and was the first winner on Top Chef Thailand.
Tam is working as the head chef of Blue Hill at Stone Barns. She is also known for sharing pictures of her ingredients, cooking process, and finished meals to her Instagram for her over 70,000 followers.
28. Giada De Laurentiis
| Giada De Laurentiis | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Giada Pamela De Laurentiis |
| Birthdate | August 22, 1970 |
| Birthplace | Rome, Italy |
| Age | 52 |
| Nationality | Italian-American |
| Education | University of California, Los Angeles |
| Occupation | Chef, entrepreneur, writer, television personality |
| Cooking Style | Italian cuisine |
| Notable Shows | Everyday Italian |
| Awards | Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lifestyle Host |
| Business | Founder of GDL Foods (catering business) |
| Notable Restaurants | GIADA (Las Vegas) |
| Product Line | Academia Barilla gourmet line |
Giada is an Italian-American chef, writer and television personality. When she was young, she spent most of her time in her grandfather’s kitchen and restaurant. She attended Le CordonBlue in Paris as the first step to join the food industry. She returned to Los Angeles to work at several restaurants including Wolfgang Puck’s Spago. Later, Giada started her own catering company, GDL Foods in Los Angeles, California.
Giada published her first cookbook, Everyday Italian: 125 Simple and Delicious Recipes in 2005. Giada is also a spokesperson for Barilla Pasta. She currently owns her own production company, Linguine Pictures.
29. Aida Mollenkamp
| Aida Mollenkamp | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Aida Marianne Mollenkamp |
| Birthdate | April 15, 1980 |
| Birthplace | Manhattan Beach, California, U.S. |
| Education | Cornell University, Le Cordon Bleu |
| Notable Works | “Keys to the Kitchen,” “Ask Aida,” “FoodCrafters” |
| Career Highlights | Cook, Television Personality, Food Writer |
| Cooking Style | Multi-ethnic fusion influenced by Italian, French, and Lebanese origins |
| Cookbook | “Keys To The Kitchen: The Essential Reference for Becoming A More Accomplished, Adventurous Cook” |
| Family Background | Mother: Italian American |
| Siblings | Sister: Ivy |
Aida Mollenkamp is a food and travel expert who has dedicated her career to inspiring food lovers to follow their passion. She aims to promote sustainable food and travel, support small businesses, and help preserve cultural individuality. She is also a cookbook author,and the founder of the food-first travel planning company Salt & Wind Travel.
She studied at the Cornell Hotel School and Le Cordon Bleu Paris before joining CHOW Magazine, where I worked as Food Editor. She has been a professional recipe developer, having created over 1,000 original recipes for Food Network, Keys to the Kitchen, Salt & Wind Travel, and various websites.
30. Padma Lakshmi
| Padma Lakshmi | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Padma Parvati Lakshmi |
| Birthdate | September 1, 1970 |
| Birthplace | Madras, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Nationality | Indian-American |
| Occupation | Author, activist, actress, model, philanthropist |
| Alma Mater | Clark University |
| Years Active | 1992–present |
| Spouse | Salman Rushdie (m. 2004; div. 2007) |
| Children | 1 |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Notable Achievement | Hosted Top Chef on Bravo from 2006 to 2023 |
| Emmy Nominations | Received Primetime Emmy nominations for Outstanding Reality Host |
| Notable Series | Creator, host, and executive producer of Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi |
| James Beard Award | Taste the Nation: Holiday Edition won a James Beard Foundation Award |
| Published Books | Authored cookbooks, an encyclopedia, a memoir, a children’s book, and more |
| Modeling Career | Successful career in Paris, Milan, and New York |
| Advocacy Work | Advocate for immigrant rights, independent restaurant industry, women’s rights |
| Endometriosis | Co-founder of the Endometriosis Foundation of America |
| Philanthropy | Global ambassador for Keep a Child Alive and supporter of various charitable causes |
| Language Skills | Fluent in Tamil, Hindi, English, Spanish, and Italian |
| Notable Recognition | Named to Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential List |
Padma is an Indian TV host, author, producer, model and activist. In 2001, she was selected as one of America’s Top Ten Most Stylish New Yorkers by The Observer. She rose to fame in 2006 as the host of Bravo’s Top Chef, which has earned her 12 Emmy nominations.
In 2010 Padma Lakshmi wrote a memoir about her childhood and it became a New York Times bestseller. In 2016 she published a cookbook called Love, Loss And What We Ate: Recipes And Stories From A Marriage that has been described as “a love letter to cooking.”
31. Dylan Lauren
| Dylan Lauren | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Dylan Lauren |
| Birthdate | May 9, 1974 |
| Birthplace | New York City, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Businesswoman |
| Parent(s) | Ralph Lauren (father), Ricky Ann Loew-Beer (mother) |
| Siblings | David Lauren (brother), Andrew Lauren (brother) |
| Education | Dalton School, Duke University (B.A. in Art History) |
| Title | Owner and President of Dylan’s Candy Bar |
| Accomplishments | Founder of Dylan’s Candy Bar |
| Spouse | Paul Arrouet (married since June 2011) |
| Children | Fraternal twins: Cooper Blue Arrouet, Kingsley Rainbow Arrouet |
| Notable Awards | Named one of the Top 25 Most Stylish New Yorkers by US Weekly in 2007 |
| Philanthropy | Founder of Dylan’s Candy BarN, a granting foundation for animal welfare organizations |
| Favorite Designers | Ralph Lauren, Alice and Olivia, 7 For All Mankind |
Dylan was born on 9 May 1974 in New York City, New York, USA. Dylan Lauren is the chef and owner of Dylan’s Candy Bar, since 2003. She has authored 5 cookbooks, including a children’s book in 2015, which was written with her father Kelly and published by Harper Collins. Her latest project is “Dylan’s Candy Bar Treats” which shows how to make candy recipes.
She grew up as a tomboy and became active in sports at a very young age. After graduating from Duke University, she worked as an event planner before opening her own store ‘Dylan’s Candy Bar’ in 2001 in New York City. She was inspired to open a candy store after watching the movie ‘Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory’. She likes to surround with color and things that upgrade a basic experience into something a bit more fun and candy is like that.
32. Niki Nakayama
| Niki Nakayama | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Niki Nakayama |
| Born | 1975 |
| Birthplace | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Education | Southern California School of Culinary Arts |
| Culinary Career | Owner and Chef at Michelin-starred n/naka restaurant |
| Cooking Style | Modern Japanese kaiseki cuisine |
| Current Restaurant(s) | n/naka |
| Previous Restaurant(s) | Azami Sushi Cafe |
| Television Show(s) | Chef’s Table |
| Award(s) Won | Michelin stars |
| Influence | Deeply influenced by Japanese cuisine; focuses on ingredient integrity |
| Michelin Recognition | Two Michelin stars received in 2019 |
| Media Appearances | Featured on Netflix’s Chef’s Table; culinary consultant for Always Be My Maybe |
| Culinary Training | Trained at Shirakawa-Ya Ryokan in Japan |
| Family Background | Born to Japanese parents in Koreatown, Los Angeles; parents were fish distributors |
| Kitchen Approach | Works in closed kitchens to prioritize food over chef’s appearance |
| International Acclaim | Named one of Food & Wine’s 30 best restaurants in the world in 2019 |
| Personal Life | Married to Carole Iida, partner and sous chef at n/naka |
Niki was born and raised in Los Angeles. She began her career at the popular Takao restaurant in Brentwood. Niki Nakayama teaches people how to honor fresh ingredients with her innovative take on Japanese home cooking techniques. She also shows people how to elevate their home-cooked experiences with an online masterclass in traditional Japanese cuisine. Her goal with every dish is to engage the five senses and to create a moment of undistracted connection with the food.
She has been told that a woman can’t be a master chef, Niki lets her food do the talking. Niki was featured on the first season of Netflix’s culinary documentary series Chef’s Table. And Chrissy Teigen proclaimed that Niki’s restaurant was one of her absolute favorites. She’s currently a featured teacher on MasterClass.
33. Natsuko Shoiji
| Name | Natsuko Shoiji |
| Date of Birth | 1989 |
| Place of Birth | Tokyo |
| Occupation | Chef |
Natsuko is the owner of restaurant Été where she creates her famous fruit-topped cakes that earn her the title of Asia’s Best Pastry Chef in 2020. Two years on, she has been presented with yet another award by 50 Best for being Asia’s Best Female Chef 2022.
Shoji wanted to create her seasonal specialities for a small group of people so that every customer she served was also someone she had a meaningful connection with. However, with every cake Shoji made, the number of people who wanted to secure one of her edible artworks only grew bigger and her fans weren’t limited to just foodies in Japan.
34. Ching He Huang
| Ching He Huang | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ching He Huang |
| Birthdate | April 8, 1978 |
| Birthplace | Tainan, Taiwan |
| Nationality | Taiwanese, British |
| Education | Queen Mary and Westfield College (University of London) |
| Culinary Career | TV Chef, Food Writer, Entrepreneur |
| Cooking Style | Chinese Cuisine, British Chinese Cuisine |
| Books | Nine best-selling cookbooks |
| Notable Programs | Chinese Food Made Easy, Exploring China: A Culinary Adventure |
| Awards | Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) |
| Spouse | Jamie Cho |
| Residence | Surrey, United Kingdom |
Ching is an International Emmy nominated TV chef & cookery author who has become an ambassador of Chinese cooking around the world.
Ching was born in Taiwan and spent most of her childhood in South Africa, Ching’s parents moved to London when she was 11-years-old. Ching was raised on freshly cooked home meals for which ingredients were always bought on a daily basis. Her major food influences stem from the traditional cooking styles of her farming-community grandparents, who lived in the countryside of southern Taiwan. From her early teens, with her parents involved in running their own businesses and her mother often abroad, Ching had to cook the family meals. She was taught the basic philosophy behind Chinese cuisine. As a self-taught cook, the experience was to be the inspiration behind launching her own food company.
35. Shirley Chung
| Shirley Chung | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Shirley Chung |
| Nationality | Chinese-American |
| Birth Date | [Date of Birth] |
| Education | [Educational Background] |
| Occupation | Chef, Restaurateur |
| Known For | Finalist on “Top Chef” Season 14 |
| Residence | [Current Residence] |
| Achievements | [Notable Achievement(s)] |
| Notable Works | [Notable Work(s)] |
| Awards | [Award(s)] |
Shirley was born in Beijing China and was exposed to international cuisine by her grandmother. Shirley immigrated to America when she was 17 and worked in Silicon Valley for a few years after graduating. Shirley decided to follow her passion for food so she quitted her career in high tech and enrolled at California Culinary Academy San Francisco. After she opened CarneVino as Chef de Cuisine for the Batali group, CarneVino earned multiple awards for Best Steak House internationally.
Shirley had the opportunity to show her Chinese American Cuisine via the show Top Chef . Ching has brought her energy to her cookbook, Chinese Heritage Cooking From My American Kitchen, that made her a fan-favorite on Top Chef.
36. Jaden Rae
| Jaden Rae | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jaden Rae |
| Culinary Career | Las Vegas television chef |
| Author | Two best-selling cookbooks and the international best-selling Microdosing Guide & Journal |
| Specializations | Fast, fresh, and simple Asian cooking |
| Wellness Programs | Buddha Bowls and Reverse Meal Plans |
| Blog | Founder of Steamy Kitchen, one of the biggest blogs globally |
| Television Appearances | Regularly featured on Daytime Show and The List |
| Notable Features | Featured on The Today Show, Recipe Rehab, Martha Stewart Living Radio, and Tampa Bay’s CBS10 |
| Awards | Voted #1 hottest woman in food by SlashFood readers |
| Microdosing Journey | Overcame depression and alcoholism through microdosing |
| Microdosing Guide | Released the Microdosing Guide And Journal |
| Community Creation | Created the Magic & Glow community for wellness and plant medicines |
| Psychedelic Journey | Organized the Psychedelic Journey Without Psychedelics event |
Jaden is a television chef, author and food blogger in Las Vegas. She was born in Hong Kong and raised in North Platte, Nebraska. Her speciality is in fast, fresh, and simple Asian cooking. She has also created food-based wellness programs such as Buddha Bowls and Reverse Meal Plans. In 2005, she founded Steamy Kitchen, which remains one of the biggest blogs in the world, with nearly half a billion-page views and over 75 million unique users.
37. Mei Lin
| Mei Lin | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Mei Lin |
| Birthdate | November 29, 1985 |
| Nationality | Chinese-born American |
| Occupation | Chef, television personality |
| Notable Achievement | Winner of Top Chef Season 12 |
| Employment | Former personal chef for Oprah Winfrey |
| Restaurant | Owner of Nightshade (opened in 2019) |
| Engagement | Engaged to Andrew Skala |
| Latest Win | Winner of Food Network’s Tournament of Champions Season 4 |
| Birthplace | Guangdong, China |
| Residence | Los Angeles, United States |
| Education | Schoolcraft College (culinary certification) |
| Previous Experience | Cook for the Detroit Lions, Roast, Spago, ink. |
| Contribution | Featured recipes in Oprah Winfrey’s cookbook |
| Second Restaurant | Owner of Daybird (opened in March 2021) |
| Recognition | Nightshade named James Beard Foundation Award finalist for Best New Restaurant |
| Noteworthy Dish | Strawberry Lime Curd with Toasted Yogurt, Milk Crumble, and Yogurt-Lime Ice |
Mei Lin grew up in restaurants and worked at her family-owned restaurant, where she learned the fundamentals of being a cook and running a restaurant. Throughout the years she has had the privilege of working for some of the most revered chefs in the industry.
Her first job was cooking for the Detroit Lions, and the second one was at Michael Symon’s Roast, also in Detroit. Later, she worked for Marcus Samuelsson at C-House in Chicago, Wolfgang Puck at Spago in Las Vegas, and Michael Voltaggio at Ink in Los Angeles.
38. Michelle Tam
| Michelle Tam | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Michelle Tam |
| Birthdate | September 20, 1974 (age 48) |
| Birthplace | Redwood City, California |
| Occupation | Blogger, food writer, and bestselling cookbook author |
| Education | University of California, Berkeley University of California, San Francisco |
| Years Active | 2010–present |
| Spouse | Henry Fong |
| Notable Achievements | New York Times bestselling cookbook author James Beard Foundation Award nominee Best of the Best Cookbook recipient |
| Cooking Innovations | Early adopter of sous vide and Instant Pot cooking methods |
| Media Recognition | Featured on CBS This Morning, Bon Appétit, Serious Eats, The Food Network, and more |
| Partnerships | Collaboration with Whole Foods Market for recipe features and product selections |
| Academic Background | Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition and Food Science |
| Family | Married to Henry Fong, with two young sons, dividing time between Palo Alto, California, and Portland, Oregon |
Michelle is an American blogger, food writer, she is also an expert on the Paleolithic diet and lifestyle. She and her husband are the creators of Nom Nom Paleo, the critically acclaimed website and award-winning cooking app. Her two cookbooks, Nom Nom Paleo: Food for Humans and Ready or Not!, were both New York Times bestsellers.
She has a degree in nutrition and food science from the University of California, Berkeley, and earned her doctorate in pharmacy from the University of California, San Francisco. For over a dozen years, she worked at Stanford Hospital and Clinics as a night pharmacist.
To learn more about influential female figures in various industries, check out our article on the most attractive transgender models. Just like Michelle Tam, who made a name for herself as a talented chef, these models have achieved success and recognition in their respective fields. Explore their stories and be inspired by their achievements.
39. Ani Phyo
| Ani Phyo | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ani Phyo |
| Birthdate | July 17, 1968 |
| Birthplace | Nova Scotia, Canada |
| Nationality | Canadian-American |
| Ethnicity | Korean |
| Culinary Style | Raw and plant-based cuisine |
| Advocacy | Advocate of raw foodism and sustainable agriculture |
| Education | Ewha University, Yonsei University, Cornell University |
| Notable Works | “Ani’s Raw Food Kitchen,” “Ani’s Raw Food Desserts,” |
| Career Highlights | Co-founded SmartMonkey Foods, hosted gourmet raw food |
| Books | “Return on Design” and additional books related to raw |
| Residence | Los Angeles, California |
| Pets | Rhodesian Ridgeback named Kanga |
Ani is known for being the world’s leading author on detox, superfoods, wellness, and fitness. Ani’s first cookbook, Ani’s Raw Food Essentials, was published in 2010. Some of her best-known recipes are Sun Kissed Citrus Salad with Marinated Cashews, Mushroom “BulGoGi” Recipe, Pineapple Mango Lassi Smoothie Bowls and Fennel Cabbage Soup.
She offers Mastery Raw Food and Detox Certification Courses to help people learn how to make delicious, healthy food. She is also a teacher providing guidance to students who wish to start their own small business in the wellness and natural product categories
40. Melissa Kelly
| Melissa Kelly | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Melissa Kelly |
| Occupation | Chef |
| Location | Rockland, Maine, United States |
| Awards | James Beard Award – Best Chef in the Northeast (1999, 2013) |
| Co-founded | Primo restaurant |
| Position | Executive Chef |
| Cuisine | Italian and Mediterranean |
| Education | Culinary Institute of America |
| Notable Mentors | Larry Forgione, Alice Waters |
| Current Ventures | PRIMO Restaurants, JW Marriott Resort Grand Lakes |
| Renovation | Extensive renovation of PRIMO Orlando (Fall 2021) |
Melissa Kelly is an American chef in Rockland, Maine in the United States. She is the 2013 James Beard Foundation Award winner of the American Express Best Chef: Northeast Award. She also received this award in 1999, making her the first 2-time winner of the same award. She co-founded Primo restaurant and is its executive chef preparing Italian cuisine and Mediterranean cuisine with a focus on local ingredients.
Melissa Kelly majored in culinary arts at The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY. Melissa’s post-graduate education took place in some of the top restaurant kitchens in the Country. She is the executive chef and owner of Primo in Rockland, ME.
41. Kristen Kish
| Kristen Kish | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kristen Kish |
| Birthdate | December 1, 1983 |
| Birthplace | Seoul, South Korea |
| Nationality | Korean-born American |
| Occupation | Chef |
| Education | Le Cordon Bleu College Of Culinary Arts in Chicago |
| Career Highlights | Winner of the tenth season of Top Chef |
| Notable Achievements | Second female winner in the history of the Top Chef franchise |
| Books | Kristen Kish Cooking: Recipes and Techniques |
| Restaurant | Arlo Grey (located in Austin, Texas) |
| TV Shows | Top Chef |
| Personal Life | Married to Bianca Dusic since April 18, 2021 |
Kristen was born in Seoul, South Korea, but adopted at 4 months old. Kristen Kish discovered her love for cooking at a young age, a passion that was further cultivated as she attended Le Cordon Bleu at her mother’s suggestion.
Kristen Kish competed on Top Chef season 10 in Seattle where she won, becoming the second female chef to win the prestigious competition. In October 2017, Kristen launched her first cookbook, Kristen Kish Cooking and the following year she partnered with Sydell group to launch her first restaurant, Arlo Grey.
42. Sunny Anderson
| Sunny Anderson | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sunny Anderson |
| Born | April 9, 1975 |
| Birthplace | Lawton, Oklahoma, US |
| Culinary Career | Food Network personality |
| Television Show(s) | Cooking for Real, How’d That Get On My Plate?, The Kitchen, NFL Tailgate Takedown, Outrageous Pumpkins |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Loyola University |
| Military Experience | United States Air Force (1993-1997), military radio host in Seoul, South Korea |
| Ulcerative Colitis | Diagnosed at age 19, advocate raising awareness with the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America |
| Radio Experience | Worked at various radio stations including KCJZ, KONO-FM, WYLD-FM, KUMX, WJWZ, WDTJ, HOT 97 (WQHT) |
| Catering Business | Owner of Sunny’s Delicious Dishes catering company (2003-2005) |
| Food and Lifestyle Editor | Former Food and Lifestyle Editor for Hip Hop Weekly magazine (2006-2007) |
| Co-host | Co-host of The Kitchen since January 2014 |
| Guest Appearances | The Rachael Ray Show, Good Morning America, The Early Show, The View, The Talk, The Wendy Williams Show, and more |
| NFL Tailgate Takedown | Hosted the show along with Vince Wilfork |
| Outrageous Pumpkins | Hosted Season 3 of the show on Food Network |
Sunny‘s first career was at the Air Force as a radio broadcaster and journalist. She began cooking for her friends in the entertainment business and turned to her hobby. That led to a guest appearance on Food Network’s Emeril Live in 2005, and shortly after, she left her radio career to focus on chasing another dream: sharing her recipes with the Food Network audience.
Her cooking style combines classic comfort foods along with unique flavors inspired by her many travels. With an understanding of everyday life and the belief that real people deserve delicious meals, Sunny offers real food for real life. In September 2013, she released her New York Times best-selling debut cookbook, Sunny’s Kitchen: Easy Food for Real Life.
43. Maangchi
| Maangchi | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Emily Kim (김광숙) |
| Birthdate | 1957 |
| Birthplace | Yeosu, South Korea |
| Nationality | South Korean, American |
| Occupations | YouTuber, author |
| Known For | Producing cooking videos centered around Korean cuisine |
| Description | Notable South Korean-born American YouTuber known as “YouTube’s Korean Julia Child” |
| Cooking Expertise | Specializes in traditional Korean recipes |
| Published Works | Author of “Maangchi’s Real Korean Cooking” and “Maangchi’s Big Book of Korean Cooking” |
| Collaborations | Collaborated with Top Chef winner Kristen Kish on PBS program “Lucky Chow” |
| YouTube Presence | Over 6.2 million subscribers on her YouTube channel |
| Government Partnership | Collaborated with the South Korean Ministry of Agriculture to showcase Korean foods to North American consumers |
Maangchi is a South Korean youTuber and author who was born in America. She learned how to cook from her relatives. She is famous for producing cooking videos centered around Korean cuisine. Her channel quickly grew in popularity, attributed to her friendly attitude, her simple recipes and her strict adherence to traditional Korean recipes. Her YouTube channel has over 6 million subscribers now.
Kim published her first cookbook in 2015, titled Maangchi’s Real Korean Cooking. And her second cookbook named Maangchi’s Big Book of Korean Cooking was made with co-author Martha Rose Shulman.
44. Clare Smyth
| Clare Smyth | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Clare Smyth |
| Birthdate | November 28, 1978 (age 44) |
| Birthplace | County Antrim, Northern Ireland |
| Nationality | Northern Irish |
| Education | Dunluce School Bushmills |
| Spouse | Grant |
| Current Position | Chef Patron of Core by Clare Smyth |
| Previous Position | Chef Patron at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay |
| Cooking Style | Modern British |
| Michelin Stars | Three Michelin stars for Core by Clare Smyth |
| Good Food Guide Rating | Perfect score in the Good Food Guide (2015 edition) |
| Television Appearances | Masterchef, Saturday Kitchen |
| Notable Catering Assignment | Catered at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding (2018) |
| Awards and Recognitions | Chef of the Year |
| Restaurants | Core by Clare Smyth (London) |
| Residence | Wandsworth, London |
Clare is the first and only British female chef to hold three Michelin stars in the UK, and only the fourth British chef in history to receive the honor. Clare has received numerous awards including the title of the World’s Best Female Chef 2018 by the World’s 50 Best Restaurants.
Outside of the kitchen, she dedicates her time to mentoring the next generation by acting as the Global
Ambassador of the Bocuse d’Or UK team, and is a judge for S. Pellegrino World’s Best Young Chef Competition and Academy, as well as working with chosen charities that are close to her heart.
45. Elena Arzak
| Elena Arzak | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Elena Arzak |
| Birthdate | July 4, 1969 |
| Birthplace | San Sebastián, Basque Country, Spain |
| Culinary Career | Joint head chef at Arzak restaurant |
| Cooking Style | New Basque cuisine |
| Michelin Stars | Three Michelin stars for Arzak restaurant |
| Awards | Veuve Clicquot World’s Best Female Chef 2012 (2nd) |
| Family Tradition | Fourth generation working at Arzak restaurant |
| Training Experience | Worked at renowned restaurants like Le Gavroche, La Maison Troisgros, Le Louis XV, Restaurant Pierre Gagnaire, and elBulli |
| Language Skills | Fluent in four languages, including German |
| Notable Achievement | Signed the appeal in favor of the purple economy |
| Family and Children | Two children: Nora and Mateo |
Spanish chef Elena Arzak was born into a family with a culinary tradition. Her father is a chef and owns a family restaurant named Arzak. She was exposed to the kitchen profession at a young age and she decided to follow in her father’s footsteps. Elena traveled all over Europe learning the restaurant trade.
After having enough knowledge, she started to manage the Arzak kitchen on an equal footing with her father. They are now inseparable, working together, creating together and attending all sorts of congresses and gastronomic events together.
In 2012 Elena was awarded the World’s Best Restaurants Female Chef of the Year. Elena and her father opened a second restaurant in London named Ametsa with Arzak Instruction in Spring 2013 which quickly gained a Michelin star.
46. Cristeta Comerford
| Cristeta Comerford | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Cristeta Comerford |
| Birthdate | October 27, 1962 (age 60) |
| Birthplace | Sampaloc, Manila, Philippines |
| Nationality | Filipino-American |
| Education | University of the Philippines, Diliman |
| Culinary Style | French |
| Career Highlight | First female and person of Asian origin to hold the position of White House executive chef |
| Previous Experience | Sheraton Hotel near O’Hare International Airport, Hyatt Regency hotel, restaurants in Washington, D.C., and six months in Vienna as a rotating chef |
| White House Appointment | Appointed White House executive chef by First Lady Laura Bush in 2005 |
| Iron Chef America | Participated in a special two-hour episode of Iron Chef America |
| Professional Membership | Member of Le Club des Chefs des Chefs |
| Current Residence | Columbia, Maryland |
| Family | Husband: John Comerford, Daughter: Danielle |
Cristeta made culinary history when she became Executive Chef of the White House, the first woman and the first minority to be named to the post.
Born in Manila in 1962, Comerford studied food technology before immigrating to the US at age 23. Comerford first came to the White House in 1995. Ms Comerford was selected as the next executive chef by Former first lady Laura Bush, wife of George W Bush. She remained as White House executive chef under former presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump, and has continued in her role under Mr Biden.
47. Elizabeth Falkner
| Elizabeth Falkner | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Elizabeth Falkner |
| Birthdate | February 12, 1966 |
| Birthplace | San Francisco, California, United States |
| Residence | Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Occupation | Chef, Pastry Chef, Author, Restaurateur, Consulting Chef |
| Education | San Francisco Art Institute |
| Cooking Style | Pioneering American, Italian, California, Globally Inspired, Responsible, Sustainable, Plant Forward, Pastry, Breads, Pizza, Pastries, Cakes, and California |
| Notable Achievements | Winner of the World Pizza Championship (2012) Competed on Iron Chef America, Top Chef, Chopped, and Guy Fieri’s Tournament of Champions Guest judge on Top Chef |
| LGBTQ Activism | Active in the LGBTQ community Worked with Act Up and the Human Rights Campaign Received the Charles M. Holmes Award from the Human Rights Campaign (2005) |
Elizabeth Falkner used to want to become a filmmaker and even graduated from the San Francisco Art Institute. One day, Elizabeth discovered her passion for cooking after visiting Café Claude. She has become one of the most creative pastry chefs ever.
Today she continues to develop her recipe and collaborate with numerous products and brands. She constantly cooks and raises money for charity organizations and food festivals. She is a flexible chef who can cook many different dishes.
Elizabeth Falkner relentlessly learns more and constantly develops her talents. At the same time, she inspires creativity and learning motivation for young people who love baking in the world.
48. Christine Ha
| Christine Ha | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Christine Ha |
| Birthdate | May 9, 1979 |
| Birthplace | Los Angeles County, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Chef, Writer, TV Host |
| Education | University of Texas at Austin, University of Houston |
| Eye Condition | Neuromyelitis Optica |
| Cooking Style | Vietnamese, Thai, Asian fusion, Southeast Asian, Southern, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Indian |
| Awards | Winner of MasterChef (Season 3, 2012), Helen Keller Personal Achievement Award (2014) |
| Writing Career | Fiction editor for Gulf Coast: A Journal of Literature and Fine Arts |
| TV Hosting | Co-host of the cooking show Four Senses on AMI-TV |
| Culinary Ventures | Owner of Vietnamese gastropub “The Blind Goat” in Houston, Texas |
| Cultural Diplomacy | Culinary envoy for American Embassy cultural diplomacy programs |
| TED Talks | Speaker on life experiences as a blind cook and lessons learned |
| Memoir and Cookbook | Working on memoir and second cookbook |
Christine is a Vietnamese -American chef. Her parents were of Vietnamese origin, they immigrated from Saigon to the United States. Christine is famous for being the first and only blind contestants to appear on MasterChef. Throughout the competition, Christine impressed the judges by her beautifully plated dishes. She became a celebrity when she won the biggest cooking show in the world. She is also a writer who has written the bestselling cookbook: Recipe From my Home Kitchen: Asian and American comfort food.
49. Jessica Préalpato
| Name | Jessica Préalpato |
| Date of Birth | 1986 |
| Place of Birth | France |
| Occupation | Chef |
Jessica Préalpato is known world-wide for being the most influential pastry chef. Jessica has been admired because of her particular style. She wants her dessert made of natural ingredients. She has tried different techniques to extract the natural sweetness from the fruit to minimize regular sugar. She wants to make sure her dessert is healthy as much as possible. She is such a dedicated chef. She has reached the top of the world of patisserie, alongside the big names such as Pierre Hermé, Dominique Ansel and Cédric Grolet.
50. Leonor Espinosa
| Leonor Espinosa | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Leonor Espinosa De La Ossa |
| Nickname | Leo |
| Birthdate | January 12, 1963 |
| Birthplace | Cartago, Valle del Cauca, Colombia |
| Nationality | Colombian |
| Occupation | Chef, Restaurateur, Activist |
| Restaurant | Leo Cocina y Cava, Misia |
| Cuisine | Fusion of traditional and modern Colombian cuisine |
| Culinary Style | Blending authentic flavors from disenfranchised communities |
| Educational Background | Economics, Fine Arts |
| Foundation | Leo Espinosa Foundation (FUNLEO) |
| Daughter | Laura Hernandez Espinosa (Business partner and head of FUNLEO) |
| Recognition | Leo Cocina y Cava ranked among top restaurants globally |
| Advocacy | Promoting Colombian cuisine as a gastronomy tourism destination |
| Social Impact | Supporting sustainability and development of traditional crops |
Leonor is a multi-talented Colombian chef who has become one of the most iconic Latin American chefs of her generation. She is the winner of The World’s Best Female Chef 2022 award. The owner of Leo restaurant in Colombia, was crowned Latin America’s Best Female Chef in 2017. is known for her research on local ingredients and the biodiversity of indigenous Colombian products.
After teaching herself how to cook, Espinosa opened her restaurant, Leo, in 2007. Leo has been voted into eight editions of Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants to date and became the first Colombian venue to break into The World’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2019, most recently securing the No.46 position in the 2021 ranking.