Ten Top-Earning Celebrity Chefs

Forbes ^ | 08/08/08 | Chaniga Vorasarun

[Artemis Webb]

Say what you will about Rachael Ray, but the jaunty chef-next-door knows how to build a brand.

She began winning audiences with catch phrases like "EVOO" (for extra-virgin olive oil) on her first Food Network show, 30 Minute Meals, in 2001. Today, she has four Food Network programs, including Tasty Travels and $40 a Day. Her nationally syndicated, Oprah-backed talk show, Rachael Ray, is averaging 2.6 million viewers this season, and her Every Day With Rachael Ray magazine has 1.5 million readers. She endorses Dunkin' Donuts too--all to the tune of $18 million a year.

More established chefs also know how to play her game. Wolfgang Puck pulls in $16 million a year.

[mnehring]

Not that I'm aware of, however, Philly has on of my favorite restaurants, Morimoto, who apprenticed under Nobu.

[misharu]

Her voice drives me to drink!

[timsbella]

My husband loves Giada (sp?) and she is a babe, and I concede, she can cook. Wears the weirdest clothes on TV.

I love Paula Deen — her chicken fried steak throwdown with Bobby Flay was terrific.

Alton is Aces — we bought the Feasting on Asphalt t-shirts. Too cool a show and an excellent travelogue of the US.

[GOPyouth]

I enjoy watching Gordon Ramsay. I appreciate his respect for the customer, and that the entire staff, from the front of the house to the back, must keep the customer happy.

Some don't like his language, or the yelling, but he realizes that if people are going to drop big $$ on a meal, they better get quality service/cooking.

[Daffynition]

Martha bought out the Emeril Lagasse franchise.

[Holicheese]

That is the one I was thinking of.
My wife is from Philly. She and her mom go to Le Bec Fin every few years. She just loves it.

[Citizen Blade]

From the ones of whom I've eaten at their restaurants, Nobuyuki Matsuhisa (Nobu) is the best, Batali is the worst.

I'd go with Gordon Ramsey first, followed by Nobu.

[Scythian]

Ok, here's the #1 as it should have been.

Sandra Lee of Semi-Homemade:


Very classy and pretty ...

[mnehring]

I have yet to be blessed with the opportunity to eat at one of Ramsey’s restaurants. But, unlike many celeb chefs, he is the real deal.

[ErnBatavia]

Paula Dean is the best.

She was kind of tolerable until we learned she considers Jimmuh Carter the best President this country has ever had.

[Holicheese]

Only because he is from Georgia!
Her recipees rock and her story is amazing.

[deport]

Well well well. I didn’t know that but I guess Martha is doing just fine.

[weegee]

“Never trust a skinny chef.” A good chef is constantly tasting the food...

[mnehring]

She was kind of tolerable until we learned she considers Jimmuh Carter the best President this country has ever had.

Are you mixing her up with Ina Garten? Garten used to work for Carter and raves about him all the time.

[Citizen Blade]

I enjoy watching Gordon Ramsay. I appreciate his respect for the customer, and that the entire staff, from the front of the house to the back, must keep the customer happy.

I'm impressed by the fact that he isn't a food snob- he appreciates soul food in a funky joint as much as a fine French meal at a 3 Michelin star restaurant. One of the only times I saw him clean his plate was when he ate barebecued ribs in a Brighton restaurant run by an American ex-pat. On the other hand, he regularly lambasts self-absorbed chefs who prepare inedible pretentious crap.

He's a perfectionist when it comes to cleanliness, freshness of food and respect for the customer. He's doing something right- his restaurants have earned a total of 12 Michelin stars.

[CT-Freeper]

No Andrew Zimmern?

That's an outrage.

[caver]

They forgot to mention Rachael Ray’s line of dog food.

[Malacoda]

I'm currently in the Philly 'burbs. I like Le Bec Fin a heck of a lot more than Striped Bass or Buddakan.

Morimoto was excellent, though.

[Daffynition]

Nobu Salad & Sushi
1511 Chestnut St
Philadelphia, PA 19102

[Citizen Blade]

I’ve only been to one- his New York restaurant in the London New York.

One of the best meals I’ve ever had. Plus the service was perfect- attentive without being intrusive, professional without being overly friendly or formal.

Of course, be ready to pay for the privilege- we dropped over $400 for a dinner for two, and we didn’t really splurge.