While attention focused on Paula Deen's troubles, many folks were surprised at the large incomes of "Celebrity Chefs". Forbes most recent ranking includes Deen Among the top ten earners. She was number four on their list, coming in with a cool $17 million dollars. Take a look at some of the others, some surprising and some not.
Gordon Ramsay tops the list of Celebrity Chefs with earning of $38 million dollars. Most Americans know Ramsay as the fire-breathing host of Hell's Kitchen and Master Chef, but he is also known world wide for his famous restaurants. Since restaurant margins are notoriously thin, Ramsay is expanding his TV empire with a new show, Hell Hotel, where he helps struggling small business owners.
Rachel Ray lands in second place with an estimated income of $25 million dollars. In 2002, she got her start on the Food Network with her shows 30 Minute Meals and $40 Dollars a Day. Ray has her own talk show, a magazine and 20 cookbooks, but doesn't own a restaurant as many of her peers. Her latest cookbook is The Book of Burgers. She learned at the foot her mentor, Oprah Winfrey and continues to parley her fame, expanding her interest such as her line of cooking utensils.
As unlikely as it seems, the number three star earner, Wolfgang Puck, won fame with his modern take on Pizza in the 80's. He now oversees a company of 20 restaurants, pulling in $20 million dollars. The company also has 80 Wolfgang Puck Express locations and dozens of catering locations. You'll see his cookware on HSN and his soups and pizzas in your local supermarket. Puck's latest endeavor takes him into cyber space with an app offering recipes, links to his properties and party planning help. Like everyone else, he's looking for new and innovative ways to keep build his empire.
Mario Batali took the fifth spot on Forbes List, earning $13 million dollars in the last 12 months. He co-owns famous Italian restaurants in New York, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas. Also a well-know TV host, he sported his famous shorts and orange clogs on Iron Chef and Spain on the Road, co-hosted with Gwyneth Paltrow. As host and master of ceremonies of another show, The Chew, Batali shares the stage with other chefs, including Michael Symon and Carla Hall.
Coming in at number 9 is Iron Chef Bobby Flay, one of my favorites, with earnings of $9 million dollars. Bobby is a chef, restaurateur, author, and television personality. His first restaurant Mesa Grill has locations in New York, Las Vegas, and the Bahamas. He owns ten casual burger restaurants and six which are more upscale. He stars in several Food Network Shows including Throwdown, Barbeque Addition, Boy Meets Grill and The Next Food Network Star.
Flay is in talks with CBS about launching a talk show co-hosted by fellow chef and TV personality Giada DeLaurentiis.
Spike haired, tattooed Guy Fieri, another familiar American Chef, took the tenth spot on the Forbes list, pulling in $8 million last year.. Winning "The Next Food Network Star" in the show's second season propelled Fieri to fame. His first show Guy's Big Bite in 2006 led to his well-know road trips on his second show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives which premiered that same year. Following on the show's success, Guy sold several cookbook and his personal appearance drew huge crowds of loyal fans. His newest TV venture is Rachel vs. Guy: Celebrity Cookoff which attracted 3.5 million viewers for the show's debut. His restaurant empire include five Johnny Garlic's and two Tex Wasabi locations offering a mix of delicate sushi and smokey barbeque. Guy is thriving with all the exposure and expects to improve his future earnings.
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