Estimated Net Worth: $20 million
Restaurant: N/A As
Seen On: Semi-Homemade Cooking with Sandra Lee
For the busy person on the go who wants that home-made feel, but needs it now, there is the great Sandra Lee. This Santa Monica-born cook developed this special style that she dubbed “semi-homemade.” It’s seventy percent pre-packaged food and thirty percent home-cooked items. The combination — delicious, hearty, and quickly-made meals for big families. Sounds perfect, where do we sign up?
Interestingly, Lee actually did not exactly make her fortune from cooking. Instead, she created a home-decorating tool called Kraft Kurtains which are essentially decorative drapes made up of wire racks and sheets. Lee went on QVC to sell the product for $20 million. It was that money that she used to start her own cooking empire.
Rachael Ray
Estimated Net Worth: $60 million
Restaurant: Rachael Ray’s Tasty Travels
As Seen On: 30 Minute Meals
The queen of daytime/stay-at-home mom TV, Rachel Ray is dynamite in the Food Network world. Her three TV shows, namely "30 Minute Meals," "$40 a Day," and "Rachael Ray’s Tasty Travels" are big hits among many foodies. Ray's specialty is fast and easy-to-make meals for whole families.
Her many cookbooks feature recipes that can be made in under thirty minutes. "The Rachel Ray Show" has won three Emmys, making her a staple on the network. The food TV goddess also co-hosted the "Celebrity Cook-Off" with Guy Fieri.
Nobu Matsuhisa
Net Worth: $200 million
Restaurant: The French Laundry
As Seen On: Master Chef Australia
They say that eating at a Nobu Matsuhisa establishment is a life-changing experience. Given the fact that he has such establishments all over the world, it's likely that you have heard of him. The Japanese-born chef even co-owns the popular restaurant chain with none other than film star legend Robert De Niro. But Matsuhisa's real claim to fame was his new approach to traditional Japanese dishes by infusing a Peruvian flavor into them.
The Japanese chef has also written a collection of cookbooks, the latest being World of Nobu, which was released in April 2019. Matsuhisa has made the occasional appearance on-screen with some of his A-list customers in films like "Casino," "Memoirs of a Geisha," and "Austin Powers in Goldmember."
Tom Colicchio
Estimated Net Worth: $20 million
Restaurant: Gramercy Tavern
As Seen On: Top Chef
Tom Colicchio is a New Jersey-born chef who founded the Gramercy Tavern. This popular New York City establishment is rated as one of the top spots in the city. New York City. Not only is he the head chef and owner, but he also created the company Crafted Hospitality. It comprises of several restaurants that are spread across the country and include places like Craft, Riverpark, Temple Court, Craftsteak, Heritage Steak, and Small Batch. These restaurants are located all across the country.
Colicchio is also the recipient of five separate James Beard Awards over the course of his career. Of course, you would remember him for his various cooking accomplishments. He also is recognized as the recurring judge on "Top Chef," where he has sat on the panel every single season. He is currently an executive producer on the show.
Richard Blais
Estimated Net Worth: $5 million
Restaurant: Trail Blais
As Seen On: Halloween Baking Championship
This one is a "Top Chef" favorite. Blais won Bravo's "Top Chef All-Stars." His passion for food developed in McDonald's of all places. This led him to pursue the service industry full-time. He studied at The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y. Between semesters he studied at the French Laundry in Yountville, California, under the celebrated Chef Thomas Keller. After traveling and experimenting with multiple businesses around the world, Blais established Trail Blais, a dynamic culinary consultancy company that is behind some of Atlanta's most popular eateries.
Blais appeared on the Food Network show "Halloween Baking Championship." Avid fans might also remember him as the host of "Cook Your Ass Off." The show aired on the HLN network is a transformational culinary competition that centers on the health struggles of everyday people.