The World's 10 Richest Chefs

Going Like Sixty
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Name a chef (Boyardee doesn’t count.) Some would say Rachel Ray doesn’t count either because she makes “yum-o” foods on the Food Network. Plus she endorses Dunkin’ Donuts.

Rachel Ray is laughing all the way to the bank, coming in as the number one earner at $18 million. Second is Wolfgang Puck at $16 million. The loud and brassy British star of Hell’s Kitchen, Gordon Ramsay, comes in third with $7.5 million.

Next is Nobuyuki Matsuhisa, who started as a sushi chef and now owns the swanky NOBU restaurant line, at $5 million.

Fifth on the list is Alain Ducasse the owner of 22 restaurants, including in Paris and Monaco, but none in NYC.

Sixth is Paula Deen of Food Network fame, making $4.5 million.

Seventh is a culinary school drop out, Mario Batali who made $3 million. The Italian-American has been on Iron Chef America, has written several books, and guest starred in multiple TV shows. 

Tom Colicchio, the head judge of Bravo reality show Top Chef, made $2 million for eighth spot.

Bobby Flay, owner and chef of five restaurants ranging from New York City; Las Vegas, Atlantis Paradise Island, Nassau and Atlantic City, New Jersey, made $1.5 million.

Anthony Bourdain, host of Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations on the Travel Channel, tied for tenth, also at $1.5 million.