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Ever wondered who is the best chef in the world? Although some might find it a little questionable how some of these celebrities are actually classed as chefs, this infographic from Shsonline lays out who they believe are the 21 richest chefs in the world.
Chef Alan Wong sits at the top of the list, making him the richest chef in the world with a net worth of $1.1 billion, followed by the two brits Jamie Oliver ($235 million) and Gordon Ramsay ($118 million). The best known chef from a fine-dining perspective has to be the master of restaurants, Alain Ducasse, who sits at 10th on the list with a net worth of $12 million. Chef Wolfgang Puck ranks at 4th with $75 million.
Of course, the likes of Rachel Ray ($60 million) and Paula Deen ($16 million) also make the list of richest chefs in the world, but it seems a push to class either of them as true chefs.
Here is the full list of richest chefs in the world by net worth and an infographic: we guess it's all down to opinion.
21 of the Richest Chefs in the World
21. Michael Chiarello
Television personality chef Michael Chiarello is known for his shows Easy Entertaining and NapaStyle. His cooking is Italian-influenced Californian cuisine.
Birthplace: USA
Source of Wealth: Business and TV
Net Worth: $1.9 Million
20. Lidia Bastianich
The Italian American chef, who is also a best-selling cookbook author and restaurateur, hosts the popular TV show Lidia's Kitchen.
Birthplace: USA
Source of Wealth: Chef, Restaurateur, TV Personality, Author
Net Worth: $3.75 Million
19. Jacques Torres
The highly accomplished pastry chef and chocolatier has recently become widely known for his role as a judge in the Netflix show Nailed It!.
Birthplace: France
Source of Wealth: Pastry Chef
Net Worth: $4 Million
18. Rocco DiSpirito
New Yorker DiSpirito is a television personality and cookbook author. He won a James Beard Award for the latter. He went from contestant on The Restaurant to owner chef at the much respected NYC fine dining restaurant Union.
Birthplace: Italy-USA
Source of Wealth: Celebrity Chef, TV Personality
Net Worth: $4.5 Million
17. Ron Ben-Israel
The Israeli-American pastry chef is known for his special occasion and event cakes and sweets, and is the patron of Ron Ben-Israel Cakes in New York City.
Birthplace: Israel (Unconfirmed)
Source of Wealth: Ron Ben-Israel Cakes, TV
Net Worth: $5 Million
16. Curtis Stone
The Australian chef and television personality gained the nickname 'The Quiet Terminator' by fans following his performance on The Celebrity Apprentice 3.
Birthplace: Australia
Source of Wealth: TV Personality
Net Worth: $6 Million
15. Anthony Bourdain
The much-missed travel writer, chef, documentarian died in tragic circumstances in 2019. He remains a giant figure in the world of gastronomy.
Birthplace: USA
Source of Wealth: Chef, Author, TV Personality
Net Worth: $6 Million
14. Ana Quincoces
The former lawyer turned to the culinary arts after coming to national attention on the reality TV show The Real Housewives of Miami. As a television chef Quincoces has proved a huge talent with food, and her wide range of products and endorsements have made her a lot of money.
Birthplace: Cuba
Source of Wealth: Television, Culinary
Net Worth: $8 Million
13. Bobby Flay
The American celebrity chef is a Food Network staple, having hosted many shows. He owns several restaurants across the States including a fast food burger joint with some 19 locations.
Birthplace: USA
Source of Wealth: Restaurants
Net Worth: $9 million
12. Nobu Matsuhisa
The Japanese chef is known for his fusion cuisine, which uses Japanese and Peruvian techniques. Matsuhisa is a regular on television and owns several restaurants around the world.
Birthplace: Japan
Source of Wealth: Restaurants
Net Worth: $10 Million
11. Todd English
Boston-based chef, author, restauranteur and television personality is well known from television in the US, particularly PBS. He is a former James Beard Award winner.
Birthplace: USA
Source of Wealth: Celebrity Chef, Cuisine, Restaurants
Net Worth: $11 Million
10. Alain Ducasse
The world's most decorated chef, Frenchman Ducasse presides over a culinary empire that spans the globe.
Birthplace: France
Source of Wealth: Cuisine, Restaurants
Net Worth: $12 Million
9. Mario Batali
The American chef, who owned many restaurants across the US, and an ever-present on television, sold all his restaurant stakes when he became mired in a slew of sexual assault allegations.
Birthplace: USA
Source of Wealth: TV Shows, Cuisine, Restaurants
Net Worth: $13 Million
8. Paula Deen
Restaurateur, chef, author and television personality, Deen hails fro Georgia, where she operates her restaurants. She has written 15 cookbooks.
Birthplace: USA
Source of Wealth: TV Shows, Cuisine, Restaurants, Writing
Net Worth: $16 Million
7. Ina Garten
The much-loved chef and author of the Barefoot Contessa, Garten hosts a Food Network show of the same name.
Birthplace: USA
Source of Wealth: TV Shows, Cuisine, Writing
Net Worth: $44 Million
The American chef and television personality is known for his Creole and Cajun cuisine, as one of the main proponents of the 'New New Orleans' cooking.
Birthplace: USA
Source of Wealth: TV Shows, Cuisine, Restaurants
Net Worth: $50 Million
5. Rachel Ray
The television personality and entrepreneur hosts the Food Network series 30 Minute Meals.
Birthplace: USA
Source of Wealth: Celebrity Chef, TV Personality, Author
Net Worth: $60 Million
Restaurateur and chef to the stars, German-born Puck is one of the best known culinary talents in the US.
Birthplace: Austria
Source of Wealth: Cuisine, TV
$75 Million
The Scottish-born chef and television personality holds seven Michelin stars and owns a global media empire.
Birthplace: Scotland
Source of Wealth: Chef, TV Personality, Restauranteur
Net Worth: $118 Million
2. Jamie Oliver
The television chef and restaurateur has created a global brand based on his approachable, often Italian-influenced cuisine, and his popular television series. He is also aligned with good causes such as child nutrition and rehabilitation through cooking.
Birthplace: England
Source of Wealth: Restaurant, Television
Net Worth: $235 Million
1. Alan Wong
The Japanese chef is known as one of the founders of Hawaii Regional Cuisine, which highlights local ingredients and the islands' ethnic diversity.
Birthplace: Japan
Source of Wealth: Restaurant
Net Worth: $1.1 Billion
Watch Videos of The World's Best Chefs... because money's not everything!
