Estimated Net Worth: $50 million
Restaurant: Vij’s, Rangoli, My Shanti
As Seen On: Dragon’s Den
Vikram Vij makes his living from the culinary arts, but he would have been uber-successful even if he wasn’t a chef. He has a good business sense, which has given him a spot as an investor in the Canadian version of the British reality show, “Dragon’s Den.”
When it comes to food, the man has three restaurants, two cookbook collaborations, and formal training both as a chef and a sommelier. Basically, whatever culinary endeavor you can mention — he’s done it.
Padma Lakshmi
Estimated Net Worth: $40 million
Restaurant: N/A
As Seen On: Top Chef
Okay, so technically Padma Lakshmi is not a chef. She started her career as a model and actress. But still, after hosting 19 (!) seasons of Top Chef, she has definitely earned herself a spot on this list. Plus, you don't release three cookbooks without knowing a thing or two about cooking.
Lakshmi began her modeling career at 21 when she was studying abroad in Madrid and said: "I was the first Indian model to have a career in Paris, Milan, and New York. I'm the first one to admit that I was a novelty."
Levi Roots
Estimated Net Worth: $45 million
Restaurant: Papine Jerk Centre
As Seen On: Dragon's Den, Caribbean Food Made Easy
The British Jamaican reggae artist Levi Roots was a well-known musician way before his cooking career. He became a culinary personality upon releasing his famous Caribbean barbecue sauce — Reggae Reggae Sauce. This sauce can now be found in many households in England.
Levi's famous sauce was first sold at food trade shows in England, which is where he was approached by a BBC producer who offered him a spot on Dragon's Den, the British reality show. Thanks to the show, the sauce started selling in supermarkets around the UK and is being enjoyed by many Brits out there.
José Andrés
Estimated Net Worth: $50 million
Restaurant: Minibar by José Andrés, é by José Andrés, Somni, and more
As Seen On: Various talk shows and more
José Andréas was born in Spain in 1969, and boy has he been busy. Let's start with the fact that he has numerous restaurants around the US, many of which are located in Washington, Las Vegas, and New York. Next, we can talk about his two Michelin Stars. Then, we can start telling you that he has even been awarded a National Humanities Medal.
And as if that wasn't enough, the man is also the founder of the humanitarian aid organization World Central Kitchen — a nonprofit that aims to feed the hungry, mainly in disaster-stricken areas. Someone give this man a cookie.
Alan Wong
Estimated Net Worth: $1.1 billion
Restaurant: The Pineapple Room, King Street, and Shanghai
As Seen On: N/A
A net worth of $1.1 billion makes Alan Wong the richest celebrity chef in the world. His most famous work was co-founding the Hawaii Regional Cuisine, a company designed to highlight Hawaiian local food and ingredients as a new American cuisine.
A large part of his fortune comes from his Hawaii Regional Cuisine, and the rest comes from the several restaurants owned by him. Sante Magazine named Wong Chef of the Year in 2001 and he has even cooked a traditional luau for President Obama at the White House!