Estimated Net Worth: $20 million
Restaurant: Double Zero, Plant Food & Wine, and more
As Seen On: N/A
Matthew Kenney doesn’t settle for making good food. His food also has an agenda behind it, which he tirelessly works on promoting. Kenny specializes in plant-based cooking and he is a great advocate of the issue. He has given a couple of TED talks on the matter and educates on a raw-food diet wherever he can.
Kenney has written a dozen cookbooks and many of his efforts are dedicated to helping others eat healthily. He owns two apps — Matthew Kenney’s Raw Express and Matthew Kenney’s Everyday Raw Detox, as well as a number of plant-based restaurants around the US.
Gastón Acurio
Estimated Net Worth: $20 million
Restaurant: Astrid & Gaston, Café del Museo, Madam Tusan, and more
As Seen On: Aventura Culinaria and more
Born in Lima, Peru in 1967, Gaston Acurio had initially hoped to have a career in law, similar to his father. Thank god he changed course and got his formal training as a chef at the Le Cordon Bleu in France. Today, he is a world-famous chef and is widely regarded as a Peruvian cuisine ambassador.
During his time in France, he met his wife, Astrid, and the two now manage Astrid & Gaston, their very own restaurant franchise. Much like other celebrity chefs, he also has numerous television appearances and cookbooks under his belt.
Jacques Pépin
Estimated Net Worth: $20 million
Restaurant: Hôtel Plaza Athénée, Le Pavillon, and more
As Seen On: The Complete Pépin, Fast Food My Way, and more
Jacques Pépin was born in France (no surprise with that name) and moved to the US in 1959 when he was 24 years old. His parents had a restaurant named Le Pelican, which is where he made his first steps in the culinary world. As a young chef in Paris, he has had the pleasure of serving as a personal chef for three state leaders. All of that before his 25th birthday!
They say great minds think alike, and Pépin's great mind was good friends with Julia Child's. The two co-hosted a TV show called "Julia & Jacques Cooking at Home." His life and work have been honored with many awards and accolades both in America and in France.
Todd English
Estimated Net Worth: $20 million
Restaurant: Olives, Figs, and more
As Seen On: Cooking with Todd English, and more
Todd English has fed numerous hungry mouths in pretty much any way you can think of. Yes, he has restaurants, but he is also the head chef of Delta Air Lines on top of being the owner of luxury restaurants on cruise ships.
Most of English's net worth comes from his restaurant chain, "Olives." He also has a chain of pizzerias called "Figs." Other than successful restaurants, his track record includes four cookbooks and PBS cooking shows.
Curtis Stone
Estimated Net Worth: $16 million
Restaurant: Maude, Gwen
As Seen On: Top Chef Masters and more
Curtis Stone was born in Australia in 1975. He got his start in the culinary world as a cook at a restaurant at the Savoy Hotel in Melbourne. At the age of 21, he left and went to travel in Europe. He ended up working for chef Marco Pierre White at The Grill Room at Café Royal in London.
After gaining experience in the field, Stone turned to TV, where he became very successful. We're not saying it's because of his surfer-dude look or charming accent, but those obviously didn't hurt. He has hosted and starred in several cooking shows. One of those shows is Top Chef Masters, which has granted him a salary of 20,000 dollars per episode.