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

Image: Fabrizio Magoni

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

Image: Alyson McPhee

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

Image: Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦

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

Image: Jorge Zapata

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

Image: Wyron A

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

Image: Holly Stratton

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

Image: Manu Ros

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

Image: Louis Hansel

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

Image: Or Hakim

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.

1

ALF

Image: Erik Mclean

In case you didn’t know, this beloved TV character’s name is not short for "Alfred." It actually comes from the term " A lien L ife F orm," but don’t be alarmed: This alien is as friendly as they come. ALF is the quirky and lovable adopted family member of the Tanner family, who gained the heart of the American public in the 80s and 90s.

ALF’s story begins after this alien’s spaceship crash-landed in the garage of the Tanner’s, a typical suburban American family. Although his many antics often bring trouble for the entire family, ALF’s big heart quickly makes the Tanners fall in love with him, harboring and keeping him hidden from the U.S. government.

2

E.T.

Image: Rick L

Are we in the presence of the most famous film alien in history? While we might not be able to answer this question (the remaining entries on this list might very well be as beloved), E.T. is definitively a heavy contender for this highly-coveted title. It’s been over 40 years since this extraterrestrial’s only on-screen appearance, but he still remains as iconic as he ever was.

Steven Spielberg’s 1982 film tells the story of Elliot, a typical American boy who befriends a lovable alien stranded on Earth. Elliot, alongside his family and friends, helps E.T. go back home, leaving us with a few of the most memorable moments in cinematic history.

3

Mork

Image: photo by Alan Light, CC BY 2.0

Not every alien on this list has to look weird: Leave it to the amazing Robin Williams to portray one of the most beloved TV aliens in history. "Mork and Mindy" shows the adventures of Mindy McConnell, an American teenager who befriends an alien simply known as "Mork from Ork."

Not many know that this now classic TV show was an offshoot of another beloved American show, "Happy Days." Williams's only appearance in a Happy Days episode impressed producers so much that they decided to give this TV legend his first chance.

4

Marvin the Martian

Image: cogdogblog, CC BY 2.0

Marvin the Martian might be the first alien on this list to pose a threat to mankind, but don’t worry: His plans usually backfire in a spectacular fashion, usually thanks to a wisecracking rabbit or to a lisping duck with anger issues.

Originally voiced by the legendary Mel Blanc, perhaps what’s more memorable about Marvin is his unusual design: You wouldn’t expect a creature of outer space to sport a red unitard, green skirt, nor a fashionable broom on his helmet, right?

5

Chewbacca

Image: Kadyn Pierce

If you had to describe Chewbacca to someone who had never seen the film, the image they would form in their head wouldn’t necessarily describe Han Solo’s partner in crime, right? After all, they would probably think of Chewie as some sort of huge and extremely adorable teddy bear, unaware of the danger they would be in if they called this iconic Wookie cute.

However, as ferocious as Chewbacca was to any Storm Trooper that dared to step in his way, he was also an extremely loyal and loving comrade to any of his many rebel friends. Few movie sounds are as memorable as Chewie’s deafening roar.

6

Xenomorph

Image: Hossam el-Hamalawy, CC BY 2.0

First things first: In case you didn’t know, the titular alien species in the " Alien " film series does have a name. Well, sort of. These jet-black monstrosities are actually known as the Xenomorph . However, should you ask an etymology aficionado about what this Ancient Greek word actually means, the answer would simply be "an alien or strange creature." So, in a way, these creatures can simply be called "Aliens.".

In any case, few extraterrestrials have instilled so much fear into the hearts of moviegoers: Their razor-sharp claws, amazing strength, and acidic blood definitively make them one of the most dangerous creatures in film history. In fact, only one fictional alien species has been able to stand their ground against the vicious Xenomorphs and, as luck would have it, they are the next entry on this list!

7

Predator

Image: Anderson Mancini from Sao Paulo, Brazil, CC BY 2.0

Way before the 2001 movie "Alien vs Predator" pitted these two science-fiction juggernauts against one another, the Predator had already established itself as the deadliest hunter in the galaxy. This alien race lives for one thing and one thing only: To prove their skills by tracking and hunting down the most dangerous and exquisite creatures.

The 1987 film "Predator" introduced the world to this cold-blooded hunter by placing him in a terrifying environment: The film follows Vietnam War veteran Major Dutch (played by Arnold Arnold Schwarzenegger) and his efforts to escape the Predator that’s hunting them in the deep jungle. However, the second Predator film saw an even more unnerving scenario: The Predator hunting down prey in the streets of Los Angeles.

8

Mr. Spock

Image: Wonderlane

Is Mr. Spock on this list? It seems only logical. In a list almost entirely comprised of extraordinary and bizarre creatures, it only took a set of pointy ears to turn actor Leonard Nimoy into one of the most instantly recognizable fictional aliens in history.

Mr. Spock has been a staple of the Star Trek universe since the very first episode of the original show aired in the 1960s. Spock quickly became a fan favorite: His highly logical brain, combat skills and passion for science made him extremely interesting to TV audiences. Not only that, Nimoy’s deep voice and magnetic personality added to the depth of this character.

9

Mars Attacks!

Image: Derpy CG

When audiences saw Tim Burton’s 1996 black comedy "Mars Attack!," they were quickly enthralled by the menacing yet funny-looking Martians attacking our country. However, few of them knew that these aliens were actually much older, dating back to a 1960s trading card game produced by Topps.

The lore established by the trading card series and the film is pretty much the same: One day, our planet finds itself invaded by a race of Martians hell-bent on taking over our planet. While the Earth is first unable to defend against their superior technology, our tenacity and grit allow us to battle these hideous space invaders.

10

Superman

Image: Esteban López

We’ll end this article with the last son of Krypton. Sometimes we tend to forget that Superman , a superhero believed by many to be the ultimate American icon, arrived on our planet as a baby from outer space. After his home planet was doomed, Kal-El’s biological father sent him far away across the galaxy, with his small vessel crash-landing into a small farm in Smallville, Kansas.

Baby Kal-El was found by Jonathan and Martha Kent, two farmers who instantly adopted him as their own child. Now known as Clark, the boy that would eventually become the "Man of Steel" found his powers at an early age, and set out to defend our world from all sorts of dangers.

1

Jawn

In Philadelphia, "jawn" can mean almost anything! The term grew from African American English and evolved into a catchall word for an object, event, or person. Visitors sometimes get confused, but locals enjoy its flexibility. It works as a little verbal wink that says you belong.

2

Snowbirds

Florida locals call winter visitors "snowbirds." The playful name popped up when northerners began heading south for warm weather during the cold months, just like those birds. It reflects the state’s seasonal rhythm and the migration pattern that still fills beach towns once the temperatures drop up north.

3

Slush

Order a "slush" in Boston, and you’ll receive something close to an Italian snow cone. Local ice cream stands helped cement the name, and kids who grew up in Massachusetts often carry a strong opinion about which shop makes the best one.

4

Yinz

People from Western Pennsylvania use "yinz" to call out to a group. It grew from old Scots-Irish speech patterns brought by early immigrants. The sound changed over time, but the community kept the word alive. If you grew up around Pittsburgh, you might slip and say it without even thinking.

5

Rotary

In Massachusetts, a "rotary" is simply a traffic circle. The term stuck thanks to local road planners who liked the older label long after other states switched to "roundabout." If you hear someone gripe about a rotary on their commute, chances are they have roots in the Bay State.

6

Bubbler

If someone in Wisconsin asks where the "bubbler" is, they just want a sip of water. The word came from early drinking fountain designs that created a bubbling stream. While the term is also popular in some parts of Rhode Island and Massachusetts, many other parts of the country simply began to use the term "water fountain."

7

On sale liquor

Minnesota liquor rules created the terms "on sale" and "off sale." On-sale liquor is what you drink right where you buy it, like at a bar. Off-sale means you take it home before opening it. It sounds like a bargain at first, but it’s just a local way to talk about alcohol laws.

8

Cattywampus

Alabama families use "cattywampus" for anything crooked or out of place. The term has roots in older American slang style that mixed playful sounds with creative spelling. It is one of those words that makes you smile, even if it’s describing your own hair.

9

Bear down

In Arizona, "bear down" is tied to college sports. The phrase began to be used as a battle cry after a student from the University of Arizona left that message for his team in the 1920s. Fans kept the spirit alive, turning it into a tradition that shows pride and determination.

10

Sourdough

Longtime Alaskans call themselves "sourdoughs." Why? During the early days of settlement, folks relied on sourdough starter when other leavening ingredients were hard to get in such a distant region. The nickname became a badge of endurance and also a hint of humor about tough living.

11

Janky

In parts of New England, "janky" describes something shabby or unreliable. The word has traveled through many communities, but locals in the Northeast use it with a knowing grin. It works for a rickety bench, a questionable motel, or any situation that leaves you raising an eyebrow.