The Most Popular Celebrity Chef in Every State
Updated: Nov. 02, 2023
People from coast to coast are searching for their favorite celebrity chefs. A recent study found that Maine is looking for Martha, Alaska is looking for Alton and Wisconsin is in love with Paul Hollywood. Here's how each chef stacks up.
Anthony Bourdain
(Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia)
Anthony Bourdain’s untimely passing hasn’t dimmed the spotlight on his work. Bourdain is still the most popular celebrity chef in the U.S., known for his food-based travel series as well as several books about his adventures. He drew us in every time with compelling stories and daring cuisine that took us out of our comfort zones.
Alton Brown
(Arkansas, Alaska, Colorado, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Oregon)
No big surprise here—we love Alton. He’s constantly offering up new ways to think about food and inventive ways to prepare it.
Anne Burrell
(Alabama, Delaware, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Tennessee)
Like many celebrity chefs on this list, Anne Burrell got her start on Iron Chef. Since being a sous chef, Anne has gone on to star in many of her own shows, including Worst Cooks in America and Chef Wanted with Anne Burrell. We can’t get enough of the sparkle she brings to our screens.
Paul Hollywood
(Idaho, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming)
Best known for his work on The Great British Bake Off, we adore Paul Hollywood. We might not want him to judge our baking, but who wouldn’t love the opportunity to break bread with him and—honestly—just stare into those baby blues?
Now that he’s on your mind, check out Paul Hollywood’s best tips for baking bread.
Duff Goldman
(Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Pennsylvania)
We can’t tell if we want to hug Duff Goldman or bake cookies with him—which means the answer is both. This lovable baker is most popular in four states, which makes sense considering how he’s starred in 10 different cooking series.
Rachael Ray
(Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota)
Though relatable Rachael Ray will tell you herself, “I am not a chef,” she’s been a regular in U.S. living rooms for almost two decades. Not only has she launched shows, cookbooks and certain kitchen catchphrases, she’s got a line of kitchenware (and pet food!) under her belt. Rachel Ray is a big fan of simple and easy meals—and we are so on board.
Giada De Laurentiis
(New Jersey, Rhode Island)
Giada De Laurentiis is an inspired Italian chef. Her meals are authentic, delicious, fresh and light—and people on the East Coast literally eat it up. Whether you’re tackling her Italian basics or opting for a more complicated Tuscan favorite, Giada’s got you covered.
Guy Fieri
(Kentucky, Nevada)
Say what you will, Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives has a major way of drawing you in. Guy Fieri’s outgoing personality makes him fun to watch, while his eye for solid restaurants and knack for good food keep you entertained throughout.
Love this Guy? Read about some of the foods he thinks are off the hook.
Ina Garten
(Connecticut, Massachusetts)
The Barefoot Contessa’s incomparable cuisine stems from years of passion and persistence. Fun fact: Did you know she worked in the White House Office of Management and Budget for six years? Thankfully, she quit and pursued her true passion—food.
We love trying her best recipes, like her famous chocolate cake that we made for other people and definitely not for ourselves to eat in one sitting.
Bobby Flay
(Nevada)
Despite the entire show dedicated to beating him, Bobby Flay is one of five chefs who share the title in Nevada. His penchant for southwestern cuisine and eye for precision make his recipes nearly perfect every time. This Iron Chef is no stranger to the camera, either—he’s hosted 14 shows on the Food Network and guest starred in several more.
Emeril Lagasse
(Louisiana)
New Orleans culinary king Emeril Lagasse is, naturally, the most popular chef in Louisiana. Pioneer of the “New New Orleans” cooking style, Emeril is a household name among cooking enthusiasts. You know you’ve made it in life when every time someone hears your name, they think of your catchphrase. If you’re a fan of his recipes, you must try this jambalaya recipe.
Gordon Ramsay
(Nevada)
Gordon Ramsay comes off tough—but at his core, he’s dedicated to helping chefs and restaurateurs improve. His brazen honesty and spot-on criticism have garnered him starring roles in several cooking shows (which—be honest—you’ve watched and loved).
Jamie Oliver
(New York)
Jamie Oliver rose to fame with his show The Naked Chef, a BBC-based show that followed Oliver as he cooked for various occasions. (He was clothed, don’t worry.) He’s gone on to star in dozens of cooking programs and publish dozens of cookbooks.
Martha Stewart
(Maine)
With several cookbooks, a magazine, cookware lines and television shows to her name, Martha Stewart has cemented a seat in history as one of the most famous celebrity chefs of all time. Trivia time: Martha Stewart graduated with a degree in architectural history—her cooking skills are self-taught, with the help of her mother.
Mary Berry
(Vermont)
Baking goddess Mary Berry takes the throne as most popular chef in Vermont. The Great British Bake Off host is poised, refined and hyper critical of your soggy bottom. She is our go-to guru when it comes to baking tips, and we love trying her recipes when we’re up for a challenge.
Masaharu Morimoto
(Hawaii)
Masaharu Morimoto is an incredible Iron Chef whose specialty lies in Japanese cuisine. It’s an absolute joy to watch him on Iron Chef, and he owns several restaurants across the U.S. He’s especially well-loved in Hawaii, where his restaurant Morimoto is immensely popular.
Michael Symon
(Ohio)
The Buckeye State has a thing for Cleveland-born Michael Symon. He describes his cooking style as “meat-centric” and honestly that’s about all we need to get on board. Symon hosted The Chew on ABC for seven years, and he’s had a significant impact on the restaurant scene in his hometown of Cleveland.
Ree Drummond
(Oklahoma)
It’s no surprise the Pioneer Woman herself snagged the top slot in Oklahoma. Known for her home cooking and country-friendly recipes, Ree Drummond is a friendly face we welcome to our screens every morning. We love Ree’s simple and taste recipes—we even tried cooking like her for a week.
Robert Irvine
(Nevada)
English chef Robert Irvine has made appearances on some of the best Food Network shows, from Guy’s Grocery Games to Worst Cooks in America. When he’s not running his corporation or donating time to his favorite charities, Irvine is hitting the gym—that’s right, he’s beefier than any dish you can find at his restaurant.
Wolfgang Puck
(Nevada)
Owner of dozens of restaurants around the world, Wolfgang Puck’s been a staple of the celebrity chef scene for decades. He has guest starred in a number of television series, from Iron Chef to Keeping Up with the Kardashians—and he even catered the wedding of Kim Kardashian and Chris Humphries.
Originally Published: April 15, 2019
