Maslow’s hierarchy of needs shows us that the first need humans require is physiological: breathing, water, sleep, and above all, food. Food is at the center of all basic human need. With family recipes, online blogs, and television shows, we always have immediate access to the best food around. And yes, we could just order take-in, go to a restaurant, or eat microwavable food, but hey, we’re here to talk about extraordinary food. Mainly, the Food Network and the incredible chefs they feature. We’re talking a look at the biggest Food Network stars and what they’ve been up to since their first gig on the network. ~We challenge you not to eat while reading this post!~
Emeril Lagasse – The Essence of Emeril
After completing culinary school, Emeril Lagasse opened up his first restaurant in 1990 in New Orleans. Just a few years later and he’s a familiar face on Food Network. Plus it didn’t take him long to have his own shows on the network, Emeril’s Essence and Emeril Live. Apart from TV, Emeril has an empire of products and restaurants. And we’re pretty sure no one can beat his catchphrases!
Emeril Lagasse – The Essence Of Emeril
Jamie Oliver – The Naked Chef
As a kid in his parent’s restaurant, British chef Jamie Oliver had already found his calling in life. At 16, he attends Westminister Catering College and gains tons of experience while working at loads of reputable restaurants. Oliver got big break when appearing on a TV documentary while working at the River Café in London. That was all it took to make Jamie Oliver a household name. And let’s not forget his popular cooking show, The Naked Chef. Since then, Oliver has published many cookbooks and has plenty of restaurants running. Since the 2000’s, he has been an ambassador for healthy eating – especially for children’s school in America and England.
Jamie Oliver – The Naked Chef
Bobby Flay – Grillin’ & Chillin
14. That’s how many cooking shows and specials Bobbly Flay has featured on for the Food Network and the Cooking Channel. And guys, eight of those are actually still on air. Furthermore 52 year old Flay is an owner and executive chef of restaurants all over the United States.
Bobby Flay – Grillin’ Chillin
Masaharu Morimoto – Iron Chef
1998 may not mean much to you, but to Masaharu Morimoto, that’s the year that he had contestants working double time as he competed on Iron Chef. Currently the 62 year old Japanese chef has many restaurants across America, such as New York, Philly, and Florida. Although he is best known for unique skills presenting his tasty dishes.
Masaharu Morimoto – Iron Chef
Mario Batali – Molto Mario
The King of Crocs was a sous chef at many hotel chains before he worked for an Italian restaurant in New York. Not long after and he opened up his own Italian restaurant which then caught the attention of the Food Network. Soon after the now 29 year old had his own show Molto Mario and that seriously launched his career. Currently he co-owns restaurants in America and Singapore.
Mario Batali – Molto Mario
Sara Moulton – Cooking Live
In just 40 years, Sara Moulton seems to have done it all. From 1997 to 2012 on Good Morning America, Moulton served as the on-air food editor. Then for 20 years, she was the chef at Gourmet, the executive dining room. Moreover between the years of 1996 and 2005, Moulton has starred or appeared on plenty of Food Network shows. In fact, Moulton is one of THE original stars of the network from its first decade!
Sara Moulton – Cooking Live
Tyler Florence – Food 911
Firstly, Tyler Florence was a presenter on the show Globe Trekker. Afterwards he became the host of Food 911 and How to Boil Water. Currently he hosts Tyler’s Ultimate and The Great Food Truck Race on the Food Network. The 46 year old has a chain of luxury kitchen supply stores and also three new restaurants. Plus he’s penned 11 cook books.
Tyler Florence – Food 911
Ina Garten – Barefoot Contessa
With no formal training whatsoever, Ina Garten is considered “the Culinary Queen” and that just speaks volumes. Garten actually taught herself all of the best culinary techniques from French and New England cookbooks, and also from feedback from friends and family. Once she quit her job at the White House Office of Management and Budget, Garten opened her own gourmet food store, Barefoot Contessa. All of which lead to several best-selling cookbooks, magazine columns, convenience products, and even a popular Food Network show. Nicely done.
Ina Garten – Barefoot Contessa
Giada De Laurentiis – Everyday Italian
Italian-born American chef, writer, and TV personality makes the cut. As the current host of Food Network’s Emmy nominated Giada at Home, De Laurentiis has lead a successful career. She is a contributor and guest co-host of the NBC show Today. In 2012, she was also inducted into the Culinary Hall of Fame.
Giada De Laurentiis – Everyday Italian
Amy Finley – The Gourmet Next Door
After winning season three of The Next Food Network Star, Amy Finley scored her very own show, The Gourmet Next Door. However after a mere six episodes, the show got the ax. In 2012, Finley was a contestant on Chopped but was eliminated in round two. To date she has made guest appearances on The Splendid Table and The View.
Amy Finley – The Gourmet Next Door
Jeff Mauro – Sandwich King
The “Sandwich King” won season seven of Food Network Star in 2011. If you’re wondering about the nickname? It’s because Mauro made sandwiches all throughout the competition. No, really, you read that right. Mauro was also the source of criticism when he said that “any handheld meal can be classed as a sandwich”. Currently he is the host Daytime Emmy-nominated show Sandwich King.
Jeff Mauro – Sandwich King
Damaris Phillips – Southern At Heart
This Kentucky belle is killing it as the host of <Southern at Heart on the Food Network. Before getting her own show, Phillips was actually the winner of season nine of Food Network Star. Oh, fun fact, she attended culinary school because she “didn’t know what to do in life”. Go figure.
Damaris Phillips – Southern At Heart
Kelsey Nixon – Kelsey and Spike Cook
Sure Kelsey Nixon finished in the final four of Food Network Star in season four, but thanks to her girl-next-door, everyone knew her name. Nixon even has her own Food Network web series, called Kelsey and Spike Cook. While in college, she hosted her own cooking show Kelsey’s Kitchen.
Kelsey Nixon – Kelsey And Spike Cook
Simon Majumdar – Iron Chef America
British American chef Simon Majumdar has appeared on tons of Food Network shows, such as Cutthroat Kitchen, Iron Chef America, All Star Academy, and The Next Iron Chef. Recently he published his own culinary book, Fed, White, and Blue.
Simon Majumdar – Iron Chef America
Alexandra Guarnaschelli – Alex’s Day Off
Did you know that Alexandra Guarnaschelli’s mother was a cookbook editor who would test recipes at home? That’s precisely how Guarnaschelli fell in love with food and cooking. In 2007, she lost to Cat Cora on Iron Chef America. However that didn’t stop Guarnaschelli from appearing on Food Network shows like Chopped, All Star Family Cook-off, and The Best Thing I Ever Ate. Since 2009, she has also starred in the show Alex’s Day Off.
Alexandra Guarnaschelli – Alex’s Day Off
Anne Burrell – Secrets Of a Restaurant Chef
Until 2007, Anne Burrell worked as an instructor at the Institute of Culinary Education in New York. When she was asked to be the sous chefs by Iron Chef Mario Batali on the Iron Chef America series, she caught her big break. Currently Burrell is hosting Secrets Of a Restaurant Chef and is also the co-host of Worst Cooks in America.
Anne Burrell – Secrets Of A Restaurant Chef
Geoffrey Zakarian – Iron Chef
The 58 year old has appeared on Food Network programs, like Chopped. 2011 is when starred on The Next Iron Chef, and earned the right to appear as a member on Iron Chef America. Currently Zakarian works as the executive chef of a few restaurants in New York City, Atlantic City, and Miami.
Geoffrey Zakarian – Iron Chef
Sunny Anderson – The Kitchen
In 2008, Sunny Anderson began hosting How’d That Get On My Plate? and Cooking for Real. Since 2014, she has served as theco-host of the Food Network series The Kitchen.
Sunny Anderson – The Kitchen
Marc Summers – Unwrapped
65 year old Marc Summers may best be remembered as the host of Double Dare for Nickelodeon, Unwrapped for Food Network, and also most recently as the Executive Producer for Dinner Impossible and Restaurant Impossible.
Marc Summers – Unwrapped
Marcela Valladolid – Mexican Made Easy
After working for her Aunt Marcela’s cooking school in Tijuana, Mexico, Marcela Valladolid knew she was meant to be a chef. After finishing culinary school, the now 39 year old become an editor and recipe stylist for Bon Appétit magazine. In 2005, she finished fourth on The Apprentice: Martha Stewart. Currently she works as the host of Mexican Made Easy and as co-host of the Food Network’s The Kitchen.
Marcela Valladolid – Mexican Made Easy
Aarón Sanchez – Taco Trip
Granted Aaron Sanchez may have only started his career as the co-host of Melting Pot but he’s known worldwide now. Currently Sanchez is the host of his very own Emmy-nominated TV show titled Taco Trip. Currently he’s the co-star of the Food Network series, Chopped. Sanches is also the author of two cookbooks.
Aarón Sanchez – Taco Trip
Melissa d’Arabian – Ten Dollar Dinners
Now here’s a pretty neat fact. Growing up, Melissa d’Arabian learned all her culinary skills by herself as her single mother of two was putting herself through medical school. Told you it was neat! After winning Food Network Star, d’Arabian started her own show, Ten Dollar Dinners. The premise of the show is to present healthy, family friendly recipes which cost under ten dollars.
Melissa D’Arabian – Ten Dollar Dinners
Aarti Sequeira – Aarti Party
Mumbai born Aarti Sequeira is often inspired by flavors from Indian dishes. After winning season six of The Next Food Network Star, many viewers said she was their favorite as she was bubbly, had on-screen charisma, and always delivered strong food. Currently she is the host of Aarti Party and Taste in Translation.
Aarti Sequeira – Aarti Party
Justin Willman – Cupcake Wars
Cupcake Wars and King of Cones are just a few shows that 37 year old Justin Willman hosts on the Food Network. Moreover he is the host of Win, Lose or Draw on the Disney Channel. Did we mention that Willman is also a magician?
Justin Warner – Foodie Call
Buddy Valastro – Cake Boss
Guys, let’s be real, the show Cake Boss is LIFE. Plus, it’s his very own store that features on the show and Valastro also serves as owner and head baker of Carlo’s Bakery. With the popularity of Cake Boss, Valastro has gone on to open 17 more bakeries! #yum
Buddy Valastro – Cake Boss
Alton Brown – Good Eats
Meet the creator and host of Food Network’s very own Good Eats. Additionally, Alton Brown hosts the mini-series Feasting on Asphalt and Feasting on Waves. Plus he is the host and main commentator for Iron Chef America, Cutthroat Kitchen, and Camp Cutthroat. Moreover Brown is a best-selling author of food and cooking books.
Alton Brown – Good Eats
Rachael Ray – 30 Minute Meals
Let’s be real, Rachael Ray needs no introduction. The “quick and easy” recipe star hosted 30 Minute Meals from 2001 to 2012 on the Food Network. Although maybe she’s best known as the host of her own daily talk and lifestyle program Rachael Ray – which she started in 2006 and earned her three Daytime Emmy Awards. Ray is the author of several cookbooks and even has her own magazine titled Every Day with Rachael Ray.
Rachael Ray – 30 Minute Meals
Paula Deen – Paula’s Home Cooking
Now here’s a legend who needs no introduction! Paula Deen and her relationship with Food Network first kicked off in 1999. Impressive? We’d say so. From 2002 to 2012, her show Paula’s Home Cooking was on air. From 2005, the Food Network also gave Deen two more TV slots, Paula’s Party and Paula’s Best Dishes. However after Deen made some controversial comments in 2014, the Food Network did not go on to renew her contract. The following year, Deen would make her comeback with Positively Paula and Paula Deen’s Sweet Home Savannah.
Paula Deen – Paula’s Home Cooking
Guy Fieri – Guy’s Big Bite
After winning season two of The Next Food Network Star, Guy Fieri snags his won own show in 2006 titled Guy’s Big Bite. A show which is still on air today! Amazing. It’s all thanks to “his rowdy, mass-market culture to American food television”, as The New York Times once said and they went on to say, “His prime-time shows attract more male viewers than any others on the network”.
Guy Fieri – Guy’s Big Bite
Anthony Bourdain – A Cook’s Tour
When you’re considered “one of the most influential chefs in the world,” you’ll wind up on lists likes this. With numerous culinary books to his name,Anthony Bourdain is actually also a fiction, non-fiction author. On the Food Network, he first premiered with A Cook’s Tour and has gone on to appear on the Travel Channel and CNN.
Anthony Bourdain – A Cook’s Tour
Aaron McCargo Jr. – Big Daddy’s House
Thanks to his wife’s urging, Aaron McCargo Jr. would go on to win season four of The Next Food Network Star. Big Daddy’s House, which ran from 2008 to 2011, was even the number one “in the kitchen” weekend television show. The 46 year old is a frequent guest on Spike TV’s Bar Rescue.
Aaron McCargo Jr. – Big Daddy’s House
Justin Warner – Foodie Call
Author of The Laws of Cooking: And How to Break Them and season eight winner of Food Network Star, Justin Warner is on his way to the list of greats. Just in 2013 did he debut a special one-hour pilot on the Food Network titled Rebel Eats.
Justin Warner – Foodie Call
Lenny McNab – Guy’s Grocery Games
You probably recognize him as the winner of season 10 of Food Network Star. Well Lenny McNab went on become a huge member of Guy’s Grocery Games. Currently he’s a bit of country singer under the name Black Mamba.
Lenny McNab – Guy’s Grocery Games
Eddie Jackson – BBQ Blitz
Yes, the one and the same. Eddie Jackson, the former Carolina Panthers football star, is huge foodie. His Food Network show BBQ Blitz is always a fan favorite, of course that’s due to his practical recipes and charm. From 2016, he has also been the host of a new cooking competition, known as Kids BBQ Championship.
Eddie Jackson – BBQ Blitz
Adam Gertler – Kid in a Candy Store
While Adam Gertler did lose season four of Food Network Star competition, he still got his own show Will Work For Food on the Food Network. Currently he travels the country because of his new show Kid in a Candy Store. Plus he’s the co-host of a DC movie news podcast, Popcorn Talk Network.
Adam Gertler – Kid In A Candy Store
Jeffrey Saad – The Next Food Network Star
It would be wise to say that Jeffrey Saad has come a long way from working in a diner as a teenager. After diner life, Saad flew to Mexico to learn about Mexican cuisine. With his new-found knowledge, he opened Sweet Heat, a Mexican-influenced restaurant. In 2009, he winds up as the season five runner up of The Next Food Network Star. But then he went on to land his Food Network series, Spice Smuggler, and is currently the host of Cooking Channel’s show United Tastes of America.
Jeffrey Saad – The Next Food Network Star
Tom Pizzica – Outrageous Food
Even though he lost season six of Food Network Star, Tom Pizzica still landed his own primetime show on the Food Network, Outrageous Food. With 15 years experience to his name and a “Big Chef” personality, Pizzica always takes his food to the next level.
Tom Pizzica – Outrageous Food
Michael Symon – The Best Thing I Ever Ate
Before getting on the Food Network scene, >Michael Symon and his wife had many restaurants with glowing reviews – he’s actually credited with helping save Downtown Cleveland, Ohio’s restaurant scene. After winning The Next Iron Chef and Iron Chef America, Symon makes regular guest appearances on the Food Network.
Michael Symon – The Best Thing I Ever Ate
Robert Irvine – Worst Cooks in America
English chef and Food Network veteran who has starred on Dinner: Impossible, Worst Cooks in America, Restaurant: Impossible, Operation Restaurant, All-Star Academy, Guy’s Grocery Games, and Chopped: Impossible and Restaurant Express is up next. Actually, more than just being a TV veteran, Irvine also served on Her Majesty’s Royal Yacht Britannia. Since 2016, he has been hosting his own daytime talk show, The Robert Irvine Show.
Robert Irvine – Worst Cooks In America
Charles Stiles – Mystery Diners
Just in case you didn’t know, Charles Stiles is actually the founder and president of Business Evaluation Services (BES), a national mystery shopper company. Huh, interesting. Moreover Stiles is the host of the Food Network’s show Mystery Diners, which has a hidden-camera exposing diner life when the employees think that no one is watching.
Charles Stiles – Mystery Diners
Duff Goldman – Ace of Cakes
When it comes to desserts and cakes, Duff Goldman is a specialist. Why? Well he’s gone on to create cake recipes for Hollywood premieres, the Inauguration of President Barack Obama, and for organizations such as Share Our Strength. With the Food Network show, Ace of Cakes, he is able to showcase his Baltimore-based cake shops, where he goes on to create the most beautiful cakes.
Duff Goldman – Ace Of Cakes
Cat Cora – Iron Chef
From 2005 to 2012, Cat Cora was on Iron Chef. Although currently she’s the co-host of an Australian cooking show, My Kitchen Rules. Additionally she serves as co-host of Around The World in 80 Plates on Bravo.
Cat Cora – Iron Chef
Ingrid Hoffmann – Simply Delicioso
Before turning 20, Ingrid Hoffmann had already appeared in 16 telenovelas! Interesting. Afterwards, she lived in Miami and had her won high-fashion luxury boutique – which quickly became a celebrity hot spot. In 2002, Hoffman would host a Miami area TV show, even had a bi-weekly segment on Despierta America, and also had her own show Delicioso on DirecTV Para Todos. In 2006, she appeared on Martha and the Food Network were quick to contact her. Her show then was aired to a much larger audience. Currently she’s the author of two cookbooks, owns her own cookware line, and is heavily involved with charity organizations.
Ingrid Hoffmann – Simply Delicioso
Jonathan Bennett – Cake Wars
Let me guess, you recognize Jonathan Bennett from Mean Girls, Cheaper by the Dozen 2, and various others films? Thought so. He is an actor! Since 2015, Bennett has been the host of the Food Network’s hit show Cake Wars.
Jonathan Bennett – Cake Wars