Top 10 Celebrity Chefs

Kicking off our list is one of the culinary world's most outspoken personalities. Unlike most of our choices, Bourdain didn't rise to fame with a cooking series, and in fact he's quick to criticize almost everyone who falls into the category of “celebrity chef.” Bourdain's success came as a result of his industry tell-all, “Kitchen Confidential,” and eventually the show “No Reservations.” He's profane, uncensored, and basically a culinary rockstar.

Batali is unmissable, with his bright red ponytail and uniform of shorts and orange Crocs. He trained at the Cordon Bleu, but dropped out and now he's considered the master of Italian cuisine. Don't even try to get reservations at one of this Iron Chef's restaurants, cause you'll be waiting a while. So what if he's pretentious? He's got the goods to back it up.

Do you like butter? Down home cooking? Bubbly Georgian ladies? Then you'll love Paula Deen. After launching a home-based catering biz, she brought her heirloom recipes to her popular Savannah restaurant “The Lady & Sons.” She made comfort food an art and big business; and while some criticize the high sugar, salt and fat content of her recipes, there's no denying it's all damn tasty.

This Irish New Yorker can “Throwdown” with the best of 'em. He has restaurants in the four corners of the globe, and his cookbooks fill bookstore shelves. But, it's this Iron Chef's success as a TV personality that really sets him apart: Just put him in front of a grill and you'll see why the ladies love Bobby Flay.

Restaurants, books, shows: you name it, he's got it. Emeril kicked cooking shows up a notch, and put the Food Network on the map with his series “Essence of Emeril.” Bam! It's years later and he's still at the top of his game. His celebrity has even made him a spokesman, and gave him a very brief stint on a self-titled sitcom.

This British chef and his mockney accent made their mark on a number of successful cooking shows, where Oliver showcases his broad culinary sense. His series, “The Naked Chef,” focuses on his simple recipes and fresh ingredients. But, Jamie's latest crusade is the Food Revolution, where he is aiming to get healthy foods into schools across the world, and processed foods out.

You may not like his cursing, but you can't deny that Gordon Ramsay knows his sh*t. He's got successful restaurants everywhere, Michelin stars aplenty, and shows coming out the wazoo. From “Kitchen Nightmares,” to “The F-Word,” to “Hell's Kitchen,” Ramsay demonstrates his dedication to perfection at every turn. And if he peppers in some yelling fits along the way, so be it.

This perky, husky-voiced TV personality makes everyone want to grab their E-V-O-O and run to the kitchen, and that built her one of the biggest brands going. She started her reign with the accessible “30 Minute Meals,” and soon Oprah signed her to a talk show deal. It's Ray's personality, not her culinary skills, that make her popular, since she considers herself a cook and not a chef. Yum-o!

His motto is “Live, Love, Eat!” and he's got the trademark to prove it. Puck was the first chef to turn his celebrity into a brand, by re-introducing French cooking to American audiences and helping spearhead the California Cuisine movement. “Spago Beverly Hills” shot this native Austrian to global fame, and now he wows crowds at the Academy Awards' Governors Ball each year as the official caterer. Cause, Wolfgang Puck “Makes It Easy.”

Taking the top spot on our list is the original TV chef. After perfecting French cuisine at the Cordon Bleu, Child taught the world to appreciate fine dining with her book “Mastering the Art of French Cooking.” “The French Chef” soon became the first widely watched cooking show thanks to her non-nonsense demeanor, unique voice and obvious knowledge and talent. She made even the most novice home cook want to attempt Boeuf Bourguignon. Bon appetit!

Do you agree with our list? Who's your favorite celebrity chef? For more Top 10s, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.