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

The Loneliest Road, Nevada

Nevada is a state that offers plenty of wide, ample, and uncrowded places, for sure. The US Route 50 cuts through the heart of the state, offering solitude and stark desert beauty. The name "Loneliest Road in America" was bestowed upon this route by a 1986 Life magazine article claiming that there was not much to see—but that claim couldn’t be further from the truth.

Route 50 has plenty of ghost towns, historic mining communities, stunning state parks, unsurpassed recreational opportunities , and a selection of authentic Sagebrush Saloons.

2

Eastern Sierra Scenic Byway, California

Yes, the Pacific Coast Highway, stretching along the coast of California, is one of the most famous and beautiful road trips in the world. But, as evidenced by the diverse landscapes of the Eastern Sierra Scenic Byway, the Golden State has so much more to offer.

Alpine lakes, rugged peaks, and desert expanses make up a jaw-dropping panorama all along the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada mountain range . The elevated mountainous terrain also offers breathtaking views of Mono Lake, whose famous salt waters are visible from miles away.

3

The Blues Highway, Tennessee, and Louisiana

It may sound like the title of a movie, or an album but, in this case, at least, the Blues Highway is a real road, stretching from Nashville, Tennessee, to New Orleans, Louisiana. Also known as Highway 61, this iconic route passes through Delta Blues landmarks, the French Quarter in New Orleans, and the historic jazz legacy of Preservation Hall.

As for natural beauty along the way, the Mississippi’s Natchez Trace Parkway offers a look into the area’s Native American history, as well as features stunning views of southern cypress swamps.

4

The San Juan Skyway, Colorado

A spectacularly scenic high-elevation drive, the San Juan Skyway loop provides breathtaking views and access to historic mining towns. The route goes along U.S. Route 550 from Durango to Silverton, Ouray, and Ridgway, and then along Colorado State Highway 62 to Placerville, Colorado State Highway 145 to Telluride, Rico, Dolores, and Cortez, before completing the loop back to Mancos and Durango via U.S. Route 160.

Along this 236-mile journey, which takes about six hours to drive, you'll encounter, subalpine forests, historic mountain towns, expansive cattle ranges, and prehistoric Native American ruins.

5

High Peaks Scenic Byway, New York

The drive along the Adirondack Mountains is not named High Peaks Scenic Byway for nothing. This upstate New York route is a short, but stunning slice of nature. Coming in at just under 30 miles long, the byway begins in the town of Keene and runs to Lake Placid, leading travelers along the highest peaks of the Adirondacks, by breathtaking bodies of water such as Chapel Pond and Roaring Brook Falls, and through charming towns and dense forests.

There are plenty of places to pull over and take in the fresh air and scenery along the drive, as well as numerous trails for those seeking more active adventures such as canoeing, biking, fishing, or cross-country skiing.

6

The Black Hills, South Dakota

There is so much more to the Black Hills than Mount Rushmore. This isolated mountain range in western South Dakota and northeastern Wyoming covers an area 125 miles long and 65 miles wide. It encompasses rugged rock formations, canyons and gulches, otherworldly buttes, open grassland parks, tumbling streams, deep blue lakes, and intricate cave systems.

The name "Black Hills" originates from the Lakota term Paha Sapa, meaning "hills that are black." Seen from a distance, these pine-covered hills, rising several thousand feet above the surrounding prairie, appear dark, almost black.

7

North Shore Scenic Drive, Minnesota

The Great Lakes boasts countless scenic drives, and the North Shore Scenic Drive is among the most spectacular. Stretching approximately 154 miles from Duluth, Minnesota, to the Canadian border, the route offers unparalleled views of the northern shores of Lake Superior .

The drive takes travelers through charming towns and rugged coastal landscapes , with plenty of opportunities to stop for food and drink while also taking in expansive forests, cascading waterfalls, and beaches studded with colorful agate stones.

8

Trail of the Ancients Scenic Byway, New Mexico

The Trail of the Ancients is a scenic byway winding through the rugged landscapes of the Four Corners region, where the states of New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, and Utah meet. The byway unveils ancient cliff dwellings, underground constructions, and intricate rock art, providing a glimpse into the ancient culture that once thrived in the area.

At the heart of the trail lies New Mexico’s Chaco Culture National Historical Park, known for its intricate stone ruins of what was once a major gathering place for the ancestral Puebloans.

9

The Finger Lakes Loop, New York

The Finger Lakes region in upstate New York has plenty of wineries, waterfalls, and charming villages waiting to be discovered. Visitors can explore the area by car, spend the day on a bicycle, take a hike in the woods, paddle on kayak adventures, or tour the many wineries— offering endless opportunities for exploration.

This four-season playground is framed by some of Mother Nature’s finest work, with eleven freshwater lakes fanning out like fingers across the region.

10

Medicine Wheel Passage Scenic Byway, Wyoming

Medicine Wheel Passage Scenic Byway is a section of US 14A that ends just west of the boundary for Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area. At 27 miles, the steep, two-lane stretch travels among soaring mountain peaks, high-altitude deserts covered in grass and sagebrush, as well as conifer and aspen forests.

The byway gets its name from the Medicine Wheel, a sacred and historic limestone circle that sits near the summit of Medicine Mountain. American Indians constructed the wheel in stages sometime over the last 1,000 years, and still use it for ceremonies today.

1

Compression packing cubes

These zippered fabric cubes let you sort your clothes by category—shirts in one, pants in another, underwear in a third—and then compress them down by squeezing out excess air. They keep everything tidy and surprisingly compact . Most come in sets of different sizes, so you can mix and match depending on what you're packing.

Imagine you're flying to visit family for a long weekend but want to avoid checking a bag. Without packing cubes, that's a puzzle. With them, you'd be amazed what fits into a carry-on.

2

Portable luggage scale

This little handheld device hooks onto your bag's handle and gives you an instant weight reading. It costs about $10and weighs almost nothing itself. Use it the night before your flight, and you'll never get blindsided by an excess baggage fee of $50 (or more) again.

Picture this: you've spent a week in Florida and picked up a few things for the house. You think your bag is fine. The airline disagrees—to the tune of $75. A luggage scale would have caught that before you ever left the hotel room, giving you time to rearrange or ship something home instead.

3

Doorstop alarm

This wedge-shaped gadget slides under your hotel room door and sounds a piercing alarm if someone tries to push it open. It's a simple, inexpensive way to add a layer of security that the hotel deadbolt alone doesn't always provide. It fits in the palm of your hand and weighs almost nothing.

If you're traveling solo or in an unfamiliar area, peace of mind matters . Prop one of these under your door at night, and you'll sleep a lot better, knowing that if anyone tries to come in uninvited, the whole hallway is going to know about it.

4

Foldable tote bag

A lightweight tote bag that folds into a tiny pouch is one of those things you'll reach for constantly once you have it . Use it as an overflow bag on the way home when your suitcase is full of souvenirs, or as a beach bag, a grocery bag, or a day-trip bag when you don't want to lug your whole luggage around.

Say you're on a cruise with a port stop in a charming little town. You want to browse the market and pick up some local olive oil and pottery. You didn't plan for that. But if you've got a foldable tote tucked in your bag, you won’t have to scramble for a bag at the gift shop.

5

Travel clothesline

This is a simple elastic or bungee-style cord that stretches between two points—a towel bar, a bedpost, a shower curtain rod—so you can hang hand-washed clothes to dry overnight. No suction cups, no hardware, nothing complicated.

If you're on a two-week trip and trying to pack light, being able to wash a few things in the sink and hang them up makes a real difference . Woke up in Rome and realized you need your shirt for the following day? Wash it, and it will be dry by morning.

6

Universal travel adapter

Different countries use different outlet shapes and voltages. A universal adapter handles all of it— Europe, Asia, South America, the UK—in one compact device . Most modern ones also have built-in USB ports, so you can charge your phone directly without needing a separate plug.

You've landed in London, and your phone is at 8%. Your American charger is useless in a British outlet. One universal adapter, and that problem will never exist again. It's a one-time, ten-dollar fix for something that can otherwise ruin a morning.

7

RFID-blocking pouch

Modern credit cards and passports have chips in them that can, in theory, be scanned wirelessly by someone nearby. An RFID-blocking pouch or wallet liner prevents that from happening by creating a simple signal-blocking barrier around your cards .

Crowded airports, busy subway stations, tourist hotspots; these are exactly the environments where electronic pickpocketing is a concern. Slipping your passport and cards into an RFID pouch takes two seconds and gives you one less thing to worry about in a busy place.

8

Portable hard drive

A compact external hard drive is no bigger than a deck of cards and lets you back up your photos and documents while you're still on the road. You don't need Wi-Fi, you don't need cloud storage, and you don't need to worry about your phone running out of space at the worst possible moment.

Imagine you've spent eight days photographing the national parks out West. You have thousands of pictures and irreplaceable memories, but your phone gets lost or stolen on day nine. Without a backup, those photos are simply gone. With a portable hard drive, you plug in each night, transfer the day's shots, and travel with the peace of mind that your memories exist in more than one place .

9

Compact extension cord with USB ports

Hotel rooms have a frustrating habit of putting their one or two outlets in the least convenient spots: behind the bed, across the room from the desk, nowhere near where you actually sit. A compact extension cord with built-in USB ports solves this instantly. You plug it into whatever outlet exists, and suddenly you've got four or five charging options right where you need them .

Picture arriving at your room after a long travel day with a dead phone, a tablet that needs charging, and a CPAP machine to plug in before bed. One outlet, three needs. A compact extension cord turns that into a non-issue in about ten seconds, and it takes up barely any space in your bag.

10

Collapsible water bottle

When it's empty, a collapsible silicone water bottle folds flat, thin enough to slip into a jacket pocket . When you need it, it expands and holds a full 20 ounces or more. It's TSA-friendly when empty, and you can fill it right after security.

Staying hydrated on a long travel day matters more than most people realize, especially if you're dealing with heat, walking a lot, or spending hours in dry airplane air.