Do cooking shows make you hungry?
Who put the kitchen on the TV? 10 American pioneer TV chefs
Image: Sonja Punz
There is something soothing and almost hypnotic about watching someone expertly cook a delicious meal on TV while calmly explaining their process. The genre of television cooking has been perfected and even over-cooked at times, for quite a few decades now, and, in the process, a handful of stars have emerged. This list highlights only a handful of these figures, from pioneers like Julia Child and James Beard to colorful characters like Guy Fieri and Anthony Bourdain. Do you have a favorite?
1
Julia Child
Image: Caroline Attwood
Probably the first name that comes to mind when thinking about famous American chefs is Julia Child, and for good reason. This chef, author, and television personality is recognized for bringing French cuisine to the American public with her first cookbook, Mastering the Art of French Cooking , and her television programs, like 1963’s The French Chef.
Child began learning to cook after meeting her future husband, Paul, who grew up in a family passionate about food and was known for his sophisticated palate.
2
Emeril Lagasse
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Another familiar name (one of many) on this list is Emeril Lagasse, a celebrity chef, restaurateur, television personality, cookbook author, and regional James Beard Award winner (more on this name later), known for his mastery of Creole and Cajun cuisine.
He is known for catchphrases like "Kick it up a notch!" and "Bam!" and has appeared on a wide variety of cooking shows , including Emeril Live and Essence of Emeril .
3
Paula Deen
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The hostess of Paula’s Party is a chef, cookbook author, and TV personality from Savannah, Georgia, where she owns and operates The Lady & Sons restaurant with her sons . She has been the star of several cooking shows, including Paula’s Home Cooking, Positively Paula, Paula’s Best Dishes , and the aforementioned Paula’s Party .
Another show where you might recognize her—though it doesn't bear her name—is MasterChef , where she appears as a guest alongside other well-known chefs, mentoring home cooks through a series of challenges.
4
James Beard
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If Julia Child is not the first name that comes to your mind when you think of a celebrity chef, then this might be the one. James Beard pioneered television cooking with shows like 1946’s I Love to Eat, taught at The James Beard Cooking School, and lectured extensively. He was a big promoter of American cooking, emphasizing the use of fresh, local ingredients.
Beard taught and mentored generations of professional chefs and food enthusiasts, and published more than twenty books.
5
Leah Chase
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The Queen of Creole Cuisine, Leah Chase, was a New Orleans chef, author, and television host, also known for her civil rights advocacy and her extensive African-American art collection . Her restaurant, Dooky Chase, was known as a gathering place during the 1960s for many involved in the Civil Rights Movement, and in 2018, it was named one of the 40 most important restaurants of the past 40 years by Food & Wine .
Leah Chase was inducted into the James Beard Foundation’s Who’s Who of Food & Beverage in America in 2010, received a lifetime achievement award from the Southern Foodways Alliance in 2000, and was awarded honorary degrees from several universities, among other honors.
6
Bobby Flay
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A staple on the Food Network, Bobby Flay has been a prominent figure in American television since 1995, winning several awards and even earning a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame . He has hosted or been a part of several shows, including Hot Off the Grill with Bobby Flay, 3 Days to Open with Bobby Flay, Throwdown with Bobby Flay , and many more.
He has participated in many shows competing against other chefs, mentoring home chefs, and has hosted many cooking reality shows.
7
Sara Moulton
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Described as "one of the nation’s most enduring recipe writers and cooking teachers...and a dean of food television and magazines," Sara Moulton is a chef, cookbook author, and television personality. She served as the food editor for ABC’s Good Morning America from 1997 to 2012 and hosted Cooking Live , Cooking Live Primetime , and Sara’s Secrets on the Food Network.
Moulton has authored several cookbooks, including Sara Moulton Cooks at Home (2002), Sara’s Secrets for Weeknight Meals (2005), and Sara Moulton’s Everyday Family Dinners (2010). Since 2008, she has hosted Sara’s Weeknight Meals .
8
Guy Fieri
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This easily recognizable and colorful personality is widely known for hosting many television series on The Food Network, licensing his name to restaurants in cities worldwide, and for his signature flashy shirts and spiky hair. His shows are said to bring an "element of rowdy, mass-market culture to American food television."
A series of TV specials and cooking shows showcase Fieri traveling the country visiting eateries, cooking, participating in and hosting game shows, and making appearances in other chefs’ shows.
9
Mary Ann Esposito
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Being the hostess of the longest-running television cooking program in America is no small feat, and Mary Ann Esposito—chef, cookbook writer, and central figure of _Ciao Italia_—has achieved just that.
This 30-minute show features Esposito's recipes and cooking tips, along with visits from guest chefs, as she explores the history of Italian cooking and food. The food is made from scratch in the studio, with each dish being prepared in numerous batches and at different recipe stages. This allows Esposito to execute an entire recipe in a matter of minutes, even if it would normally take hours to complete.
10
Anthony Bourdain
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One of the most famous names in American television cooking history is, without a doubt, Anthony Bourdain. After honing his skills in various eateries and graduating from the Culinary Institute of America, including several years as executive chef at Brasserie Les Halles in Manhattan, he became best known for his travel documentaries, where he explored local cuisines from around the world, as well as for his books.
His first food and world-travel television show was A Cook's Tour , which was followed by Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations , The Layover , and Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown. His funny, philosophical, and daredevil attitude made him a beloved figure in the world of television food shows.
