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!
Vikram Vij
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.
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.
Christopher Kimball
Estimated Net Worth: $20 million
Restaurant: Christopher Kimball's Milk Street
As Seen On: America's Test Kitchen, Christopher Kimball's Milk Street, and more
Born in New York in 1951, Christopher Kimball has accomplished quite a bit in his decades-long career. Other than being a chef, he is also a publisher, editor, and media personality. No wonder he has accumulated a net worth of $20 million.
Over the years, he has founded a number of cooking magazines (Cook's Magazine, Cook's Illustrated Magazine, and Cook's Country Magazine) but that isn't even the tip of the iceberg that is his writing career. He wrote several cookbooks, including "The Cook's Bible," "The Yellow Farmhouse Cookbook," and "The Dessert Bible." Oh, and he's hosted cooking shows both on TV and on the radio.
Eric Ripert
Estimated Net Worth: $20 million
Restaurant: Le Bernardin, Blue
As Seen On: Avec Eric
Things always sound better when you say they are French. Exhibit A would have to be French fries. Exhibit B would be French chef Eric Ripert. His culinary abilities are fully on display when he deals with seafood and modern French cuisine.
Le Bernadine, Ripert's flagship restaurant in New York City is highly praised. The New York Times has ranked it at number 17 of the 50 best restaurants in the world. The Michelin Guide also speaks highly of the place and gives it a three-star rating. His career also includes TV appearances, friendship with late chef Anthony Bourdain, and more than 10 cookbooks.