Net Worth: $1.5 million
Restaurant: Neely’s Bar-B-Que
As Seen On: Down Home with the Neelys
Pat Neely began his career when he discovered his passion for barbecue. In 1988, together with his three brothers and uncle, Pat opened up a barbecue restaurant in downtown Memphis. Their food empire only grew from there and when he met his wife (now ex-wife) and eventual cooking partner, Gina, the two created their New York City restaurant Neely’s Barbecue Parlor. Pat and Gina Neely went on to have an illustrious Food Network career, creating a number of shows together, namely Down Home with the Neelys and Road Tasted with the Neelys.
The pair also wrote a book together. Unfortunately, the two eventually divorced and have gone their separate ways. Pat is now the co-owner of a Memphis Tennessee restaurant Bar-B-Que. Neely made a TV comeback when he hosted Save to Win on Saturdays on The CW from November 5, 2016, to May 20, 2017
Christine McConnell
Estimated Net Worth: $500,000
Restaurant: N/A
As Seen On: The Curious Creations of Christine McConnell
For the more eccentric food lovers, there is Christine McConnell. Her Netflix series, The Curious Creations of Christine McConnell, is a combination of cooking, baking, and the supernatural. The premise of the show centers around her culinary adventures her spooky restaurant-cum-mansion. The show was developed by McConnell herself who is a baker by trade. It also incorporates some scripted sitcom-style elements.
McConnell creates wild desserts and creepy-themed treats like caramel spiders, haunted gingerbread houses, and bones made out of pretzel sticks. Before her show, she was known on Instagram and Reddit for disturbing culinary creations.
Cat Cora
Estimated Net Worth: $7 million
Restaurant: Cat Cora’s Que
As Seen On: Iron Chef America
Chef Cat Cora was shot after claiming the title of The Iron Chef on Iron Chef America. She now hosts the Food Network favorite Around the World in Eighty Plates which airs on Bravo. Cora got her cooking education at the Culinary Institute of America. She specialized in Mediterranean and Fusion styles of cooking. Her Mississippi upbringing has also given her a Southern flair.
As the first female winner on the Iron Chef, she made TV history. Since the big win, she has appeared in a string of culinary publications, amongst them FHM. Cora is also the spokesperson for UNICEF and was even nominated the Grand Marshal for the ST. Patty's parade in her hometown.
Gail Simmons
Estimated Net Worth: $2.5 million
Restaurant: Bringing It Home (Cookbook)
As Seen: On Top Chef
When it comes to critiquing and appreciating food, Gail Simmons is quite simply the queen of it all. She is the host of The Feed, has written a series of cookbooks, and penned many food publications. She has appeared as a judge on Top Chef since the very beginning- which was all the way back in 2006. But that's just a part of this Candian critic's resume. She was also the head judge on the shows' spinoff Top Chef Duels, Just Desserts arm of Top Chef.
Simmons definitely took after her mother as she also happened to be a food columnist for the Globe & Mail. It didn't hurt that she picked up some nifty cooking skills from her as a kid. This woman has spent her life tasting and analyzing food and she sure is good at it.
Marco Pierre White
Estimated Net Worth: $40 million
Restaurant: Marco Pierre White
As Seen On: Top Chef
If Gordon Ramsay is the reigning king of cuisine TV, then Marco Pierre was his predecessor. White has often been called the UK's first celeb chef and has even been dubbed the "godfather" of contemporary cooking. Hugely popular chefs such as Shannon Bennet, Mario Batalli, Curtis Stone, and even Gordon Ramsey have been trained under White. The Leeds-born chef specializes in French, Italian, and British cuisine.
Marco Pierre White holds the record of being the youngest chef to ever win three Michelin Stars. He owes his skills to master chef Pierre Koffman while working at La Tante Clair. He then moved to Chez Nico and then Six Bells.