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The Top 20 Chef Kings (Oops, 1 Queen)

Gordon Ramsay rules the roost, in more ways than one

By M. Morris,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 26, 2009 6:41 AM CDT

(Newser) – The phenomenon of the celebrity chef is well past the saturation point, but the restaurants, cookbooks, kitchen gadgets, and personal appearances keep coming. Presiding over the largest international empire is British pottymouth-cum-culinary genius Gordon Ramsay, according to a new list by New York's Grub Street blog. The Grub Street formula for sizing up empires somehow omits the omnipresent Rachael Ray—Lidia Bastianich is the only woman in the top 20—but includes other Food Network faves. The top five:

  • Gordon Ramsay
  • Alain Ducasse
  • Wolfgang Puck
  • Joël Robuchon
  • Nobu Matsuhisa
To see the complete list and get in on the debates raging in the comments, click the link below.

Mario Batali (No. 8) clowns around with Emeril Lagasse (No.7) and Charlie Trottter (No. 17) at the Palazzo Las Vegas, where No. 3 Wolfgang Puck also has a restaurant, January 17, 2008.
Mario Batali (No. 8) clowns around with Emeril Lagasse (No.7) and Charlie Trottter (No. 17) at the Palazzo Las Vegas, where No. 3 Wolfgang Puck also has a restaurant, January 17, 2008.   (AP Photo/The Palazzo Las Vegas, Bob Riha, Jr.)
No. 16 Lidia Bastianich is the only woman at the helm of one of New York magazine's top 20 chef empires.
No. 16 Lidia Bastianich is the only woman at the helm of one of New York magazine's top 20 "chef empires."   (AP Photo/Tina Fineberg, File)
Gordon Ramsay of Cookalong Live, Hell's Kitchen, and Kitchen Nightmares--among many, many other claims to fame--tops New York magazine's chef empires list.
Gordon Ramsay of "Cookalong Live," "Hell's Kitchen," and "Kitchen Nightmares"--among many, many other claims to fame--tops New York magazine's "chef empires" list.   (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 11 comments
Cat-Lover
Sep 27, 2009 8:43 AM CDT
I couldn't find Colonel Sanders on the list. FIX!!!!!
proud_prude
Sep 27, 2009 6:22 AM CDT
Nice headline, newser. Obviously you know that Ramsay is one of the top 50 gay icons in Britain, though he's apparently as sensitive about discussing his sexuality as Anderson Cooper.
kenken
Sep 27, 2009 4:01 AM CDT
I was really hoping they would put iron chef Sakai on the list. He was my favorite :(

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