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

Cobbler

Image: Enrique Briseno

What’s not to love about a cobbler? It’s the perfect mix between tart and sweet. The popular choices include peach, apple, and blueberry, but other fruits like pears, and rhubarb, also make great options.

This popular dessert can range from tart to sweet depending on how much sugar is added to the fruit. Cobblers vary from more cake-like to crunchy, especially with the addition of oats for texture instead of flour.

2

Cheesecake

Image: Kelsey Todd

All hail the cheesecake! This amazing dessert comes in many varieties and flavors, from rich double chocolate decadence to fluffier and fruitier options . The cheesecake base also pairs wonderfully with other sweet treats, like brownies and pies, for extra richness.

While it may seem like a very contemporary dessert, the first cheesecakes were created as early as the 5th century B.C. on the Greek island of Samos, where a dessert was created from cheese, honey, and nuts.

3

Banana Pudding

Image: Nicole Winchel Brayton

Few fruits are better companions to creamy desserts than bananas. Their texture and sweetness blend perfectly with many other ingredients. The Banana Pudding is a layered mix of creamy banana custard, fresh bananas, wafer cookies, and whipped cream —a fluffy, chilled delight straight from the icebox.

The recipe for banana pudding first appeared in Good Housekeeping in 1888 and has been a beloved classic ever since, with good reason.

4

S’mores

Image: Jessica Ruscello

This quintessential camping dessert is a truly American creation. The simple concept of graham crackers, toasted marshmallows, and chocolate has become home to a variety of innovations, including the addition of peanut butter, caramel, and other ingredients.

The recipe for s’mores first appeared in a cookbook in the 1920s, when it was already gaining popularity among campers in the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America. And if you’re nowhere near a campfire, you can make this classic treat in your own oven at home.

5

Lemon Squares

Image: Elena Kloppenburg

This yellow cousin of the brownie (more on that later) is perfect for anyone who loves tart and flaky treats. The most successful recipes include a buttery shortbread crust, a layer of deliciously tangy lemon curd, and a light dusting of powdered sugar.

Chilled in the fridge, lemon squares make an ideal summertime dessert to savor when the heat is overwhelming.

6

Frozen custard

Image: Tim Mossholder

Everybody knows custard, right? And, as tasty as it is, frozen custard is—even better for many people. This gourmet ice cream treat, made with eggs, cream, and sugar is specially celebrated in Milwaukee, Wisconsin—the so-called "Custard Capital of the World"—where it's sold more than anywhere else around the globe.

Because it contains much less air than other similar treats, frozen custard is thick, dense, and packed with flavor.

7

Key lime pie

Image: Nathan Lemon

Who doesn’t love key lime pie? This sweet and sour dessert originates from the Florida Keys. It consists of Key lime juice, condensed milk, and eggs, mixed into a creamy custard. The custard is poured into a buttery crust made from graham crackers and topped with sweet whipped cream. The acidic flavors of the limes provide a perfect contrast to the sweetness of the sugar and cream.

8

Gooey Butter Cake

Image: Olga Petnyunene

Gooey butter cake is an accurately descriptive name for this treat, a hallmark of the city of St. Louis. It’s a flat, dense cake made from wheat flour, butter, sugar, and eggs . The cake is traditionally garnished with powdered sugar and sometimes a few raspberries.

Sweet, rich, and firm, gooey butter cake was created in the 1930s by a baker who, while attempting to make a standard yellow cake, accidentally added too much sugar, butter, or shortening. Rather than discard the gooey, sticky batter, he decided to sell it—and customers couldn’t get enough.

9

Beignets

Image: Keesha's Kitchen

While this dish originated in France, America has made it its own. Beignets are squares of deep-fried pastry dough sprinkled with powdered sugar and traditionally served hot . These days, beignets are most commonly associated with the French Quarter of New Orleans, where they were declared the official state donut in 1986. These treats are often enjoyed alongside chocolate milk or café au lait.

10

Brownies

Image: NordWood Themes

Last but not least, another American favorite makes its entrance. These small chocolate cakes come in various forms, from thicker, fudge-like brownies to lighter, fluffier versions. Brownies are also perfect for pairing with other popular desserts, like ice cream and caramel sauce, and can include nuts or frosting. There’s even a "blonde" variation!

Brownies hold a special place in American culture, often associated with home-baked goods, school bake sales, and family gatherings. Everyone has a favorite type of brownie. What’s yours?

1

Frankford Avenue Bridge, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Image: See page for author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Long before America declared independence, a bridge was already standing strong in Philadelphia. Built in 1697, the Frankford Avenue Bridge holds the title of the oldest bridge still in use in the United States. Picture stagecoaches rattling across its stone arches, carrying passengers between Philadelphia and New York. Today, cars hum across the same path, hardly noticing they’re rolling over a structure that has endured for more than three centuries —a quiet survivor of colonial times still woven into modern city life.

2

Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California

Image: Maarten van den Heuvel

What if we told you that a bridge once called "impossible" now defines an entire city? When it opened in 1937, the Golden Gate spanned an incredible 4,200 feet, a record that stunned engineers across the globe. Its sweeping cables and graceful towers are much more than just steel —it’s poetry over water. Painted in its famous "international orange," this bridge doesn’t just stand tall against the fog, it glows through it, serving as both a practical crossing and a proud emblem of San Francisco’s scenic location.

3

Sunshine Skyway Bridge, Tampa Bay, Florida

Image: Joseph Corl

Reaching gracefully across 4.1 miles of Tampa Bay, the Sunshine Skyway Bridge rises like a fleet of white sails frozen in motion. Finished in 1987, it was designed to do more than just connect two shores—it was built to inspire. Its towering piers and broad cables give it the look of a ship setting out to sea, a fitting image for Florida’s sunlit coast. On bright days, motorists often describe the drive as more than a commute; it feels like gliding above the Gulf itself, where the horizon stretches endlessly and the water sparkles below like glass.

4

Brooklyn Bridge, New York, New York

Image: Alexander Rotker

Here’s a tale worth telling: when the Brooklyn Bridge first opened in 1883, many New Yorkers doubted its strength. To calm their fears, showman P. T. Barnum led 21 elephants across the span, proving once and for all that the monumental structure could hold far more than horse-drawn carriages. With its stone Gothic towers rising like cathedrals and its web of cables fanning out in graceful arcs, the Brooklyn Bridge is both an engineering triumph and a work of art. More than a century later, it still stands as a symbol of American ingenuity.

5

Memorial Bridge, Washington, D.C.

Image: Devansh Bajaj

Picture this: a bridge that doesn’t just link two shores, but two chapters of American history. The Arlington Memorial Bridge, completed in 1932, was designed to align the Lincoln Memorial with Arlington House, symbolizing a nation healing after the Civil War. Its central span works like an enormous see-saw—an elegant bascule that tips upward, heavy as a freight train, to open the way for ships on the Potomac. More than steel and stone, it’s a gesture of reconciliation and remembrance.

6

Tunkhannock Creek Viaduct, Nicholson, Pennsylvania

Image: WallyFromColumbia at English Wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Imagine standing at the foot of a concrete wall as high as a 20-story tower, stretching farther than the eye expects a bridge could go. That’s what people experienced in 1915 when the Tunkhannock Creek Viaduct—better known as the Nicholson Bridge—first appeared on the Pennsylvania landscape. Spanning 2,375 feet with arches rising 240 feet above the valley, it was the largest concrete bridge in the world at its completion. More than a century later, trains still roll across its 12 arches, looking like miniature toys against the bridge’s sheer immensity.

7

Roebling Suspension Bridge, Cincinnati, Ohio

Image: Thomas Rupp

If the Brooklyn Bridge impressed you, the Roebling Suspension Bridge in Ohio will blow your mind, as it was built years earlier by the same man. When it opened in 1867, it set a world record as the longest suspension bridge, stretching an impressive 1,057 feet across the Ohio River. It was John A. Roebling’s first marvel, only overtaken by his own later New York landmark. For the people of Cincinnati, the bridge was proof that American engineering could rival anything in the world, a daring leap that linked two cities and paved the way for future icons.

8

North Bridge, Concord, Massachusetts

Image: Christopher Ryan

Set foot on the North Bridge in Concord and you’re not just crossing the Concord River—you’re walking into the pages of history. It was in this exact place that, in April 1775, a musket fire rang out, sparking the first battle of the American Revolution and changing the course of a nation forever. The bridge visitors see today is a careful 1956 reconstruction, built to honor the original. Yet, the setting remains almost the same: the quiet river below, the fields beyond, and the sense that this unassuming wooden span still carries the echoes of liberty’s first call.

9

Middle Covered Bridge, Woodstock, Vermont

Image: Michelle_Pitzel

There’s a certain mystique about covered bridges, and Woodstock’s Middle Bridge feels like it was lifted straight from a storybook. Though built in 1969, it was crafted with traditional techniques, giving it the spirit of a much older landmark. Stretching 135 feet across the Ottauquechee River, its peaked wooden roof frames a perfect New England scene —red barns, rolling hills, and the steady flow of water beneath. Beyond its whimsical charm, the roof serves a purpose: protecting the bridge’s sturdy timbers from Vermont’s long, snowy winters so it can stand strong for generations.

10

New River Gorge Bridge, Fayetteville, West Virginia

Image: Ian Pearthree

From a distance, the New River Gorge Bridge might seem like any other stretch of highway. But step onto it, and it’s a different story. Opened in 1977, this steel arch rises 876 feet above the rushing waters below—higher than stacking two Statues of Liberty end to end. It is a symbol of West Virginia’s rugged beauty, celebrated each October during "Bridge Day," when traffic halts, and the bridge transforms into a stage for daring jumps, local crafts, and awe-struck visitors soaking in one of the most breathtaking views in America.

11

Bow Bridge, Central Park, New York, New York

Image: Pierre Blaché

As light as lace yet forged from iron, Bow Bridge sweeps in a gentle curve across Central Park’s shimmering lake. Completed in 1862, it quickly became more than a passage—it turned into a stage for the city’s daily rhythms. Artists set up easels to capture its elegance, photographers frame it against the water, and couples linger at its railings, savoring the view. Street musicians often fill the air with music, while beyond the trees, New York’s skyline stretches high. Amid the steel and stone of the metropolis, Bow Bridge endures as a quiet piece of poetry shaped in metal.

12

Harbor Bridge, Corpus Christi, Texas

Image: Vladislav Osterman

You now know what the oldest bridge in America is, but what about the newest? Unveiled in 2025, the new Harbor Bridge in Texas was designed to last up to 170 years. Its sleek towers and graceful cables rise 205 feet above the water, high enough for massive cargo ships to glide underneath without pause. By day, it’s a marvel of modern engineering, but when night falls, it completely transforms. A sophisticated computer system of LED lights ripples across its frame, painting Corpus Christi’s shoreline in vivid colors. More than a crossing, it’s a staple of economic growth.