Embark on a delectable journey through the world of food with our curated list of 40 influential food influencers. From celebrity chefs to passionate home cooks, these individuals have captivated audiences worldwide with their culinary expertise, creativity, and infectious passion for all things food.
In this article, we shine a spotlight on their diverse talents, innovative recipes, and contributions to the ever-evolving landscape of the culinary world. Whether you're a seasoned chef, an adventurous home cook, or simply a food enthusiast, join us as we celebrate the flavors, stories, and inspirations shared by these remarkable influencers.
1. Gordon Ramsay
- Country: United Kingdom
- Popular for: Culinary expertise, cooking shows
- Social Media Followers: Instagram (16M+), YouTube (10M+)
Gordon Ramsay is a renowned chef and television personality known for his culinary expertise and fiery personality. He's acclaimed for his Michelin-starred restaurants, cooking shows, and bestselling cookbooks.
2. Jamie Oliver
- Country: United Kingdom
- Popular for: Healthy cooking, activism
- Social Media Followers: Instagram (10M+), YouTube (4M+)
Jamie Oliver is a celebrity chef and food activist known for his emphasis on healthy cooking and sustainable food practices. He's recognized for his television shows, cookbooks, and campaigns to improve global food systems.
3. Ina Garten (Barefoot Contessa)
Country: United States
Popular for: Comfort food, entertaining
Social Media Followers: Instagram (4M+), Twitter (2M+)
Ina Garten, known as the Barefoot Contessa, is celebrated for her approachable yet elegant approach to cooking. She's famous for her comforting recipes, entertaining tips, and bestselling cookbooks.
4. Samin Nosrat
Country: United States
Popular for: Culinary education, Salt Fat Acid Heat
Social Media Followers: Instagram (700K+), Twitter (500K+)
Samin Nosrat is a chef, author, and host of the Netflix series Salt Fat Acid Heat. She's renowned for her expertise in culinary fundamentals and her ability to demystify the art of cooking for home chefs.
5. Chrissy Teigen
- Country: United States
- Popular for: Comfort food, humor
- Social Media Followers: Instagram (42M+), Twitter (14M+)
Chrissy Teigen is a model, author, and food enthusiast known for her love of cooking and her hilarious social media presence. She's acclaimed for her bestselling cookbooks and popular recipe blog.
6. Bobby Flay
- Country: United States
- Popular for: Grilling, Southwestern cuisine
- Social Media Followers: Instagram (1.8M+), Twitter (1M+)
Bobby Flay is a celebrity chef and restaurateur known for his expertise in grilling and Southwestern cuisine. He's famous for his television shows, cookbooks, and acclaimed restaurants.
7. Nigella Lawson
- Country: United Kingdom
- Popular for: Indulgent recipes, storytelling
- Social Media Followers: Instagram (3M+), Twitter (2M+)
Nigella Lawson is a beloved food writer and television personality known for her indulgent yet approachable recipes. She's admired for her captivating storytelling and her passion for home cooking.
8. Alton Brown
- Country: United States
- Popular for: Culinary science, Good Eats
- Social Media Followers: Instagram (800K+), Twitter (4M+)
Alton Brown is a culinary expert and television host known for his innovative approach to cooking and his popular show Good Eats. He's acclaimed for his deep knowledge of culinary science and his quirky sense of humor.
9. Gaby Dalkin
- Country: United States
- Popular for: California cuisine, easy recipes
- Social Media Followers: Instagram (500K+), YouTube (100K+)
Gaby Dalkin is a chef and cookbook author known for her fresh and flavorful California-inspired recipes. She's admired for her accessible approach to cooking and her vibrant social media presence.
10. Rachael Ray
Country: United States
Popular for: Quick and easy meals, 30 Minute Meals
Social Media Followers: Instagram (1M+), Twitter (4M+)
Rachael Ray is a television personality and cookbook author known for her quick and easy meal ideas, particularly her signature 30 Minute Meals. She's celebrated for her down-to-earth approach to cooking and her advocacy for accessible home cooking.
11. David Chang
- Country: United States
- Popular for: Asian cuisine, Momofuku
- Social Media Followers: Instagram (1.8M+), Twitter (400K+)
David Chang is a chef and restaurateur known for his innovative approach to Asian cuisine and his acclaimed restaurant group, Momofuku. He's admired for his bold flavors and his exploration of culinary traditions.
12. Molly Yeh
- Country: United States
- Popular for: Fusion cuisine, Midwest-inspired recipes
- Social Media Followers: Instagram (800K+)
Molly Yeh is a chef, cookbook author, and host of the Food Network show Girl Meets Farm. She's known for her creative fusion of flavors and her love of incorporating her Midwest roots into her recipes.
13. Maangchi
- Country: South Korea
- Popular for: Korean cuisine, cooking tutorials
- Social Media Followers: Instagram (350+)
Maangchi is a beloved YouTube personality known for her comprehensive tutorials on Korean cooking. She's celebrated for her authentic recipes and her warm, inviting personality.
14. Tasty
- Country: United States
- Popular for: Quick recipe videos, BuzzFeed
- Social Media Followers: Instagram (46M+), YouTube (20M+)
Tasty is a popular food brand owned by BuzzFeed, known for its engaging recipe videos and quick cooking hacks. It's acclaimed for its easy-to-follow recipes and its massive online following.
15. Judy Joo
- Country: United States
- Popular for: Korean cuisine, Iron Chef UK
- Social Media Followers: Instagram (100K+), Twitter (50K+)
Judy Joo is a Korean-American chef and television personality known for her expertise in Korean cuisine and her appearances on Iron Chef UK. She's admired for her innovative approach to traditional recipes and her passion for sharing Korean food culture with a global audience.
16. Yotam Ottolenghi
- Country: United Kingdom
- Popular for: Middle Eastern cuisine, vegetarian recipes
- Social Media Followers: Instagram (2M+), Twitter (500K+)
Yotam Ottolenghi is a chef, restaurateur, and cookbook author known for his vibrant and flavorful Middle Eastern-inspired dishes. He's celebrated for his innovative vegetarian recipes and his commitment to fresh, seasonal ingredients.
17. Padma Lakshmi
- Country: United States
- Popular for: Indian cuisine, Top Chef
- Social Media Followers: Instagram (1M+), Twitter (700K+)
Padma Lakshmi is a cookbook author, television host, and model known for her expertise in Indian cuisine and her role as a judge on the television show Top Chef. She's admired for her advocacy for immigrant rights and her passion for showcasing diverse culinary traditions.
18. Matty Matheson
- Country: Canada
- Popular for: Comfort food, Vice
- Social Media Followers: Instagram (1.5M+), Twitter (300K+)
Matty Matheson is a chef, cookbook author, and television personality known for his love of comfort food and his appearances on Vice's food programming. He's celebrated for his larger-than-life personality and his unapologetic approach to cooking.
19. Andrew Zimmern
- Country: United States
- Popular for: Culinary exploration, Bizarre Foods
- Social Media Followers: Instagram (1M+), Twitter (700K+)
Andrew Zimmern is a chef, author, and television personality known for his adventurous approach to food and his acclaimed series Bizarre Foods. He's celebrated for his culinary curiosity and his passion for exploring diverse cuisines and food cultures around the world.
20. Binging with Babish (Andrew Rea)
- Country: United States
- Popular for: Recipe recreations, film-inspired dishes
- Social Media Followers: Instagram (1M+), YouTube (9M+)
Andrew Rea, known as Binging with Babish, is a YouTube personality known for his culinary recreations of dishes from movies and television shows. He's celebrated for his attention to detail and his engaging storytelling.
21. Monica Reinagel (Nutrition Diva)
- Country: United States
- Popular for: Nutrition expertise, podcasting
- Social Media Followers: Instagram (6K+), Twitter (100K+)
Monica Reinagel, also known as the Nutrition Diva, is a licensed nutritionist, author, and host of the popular podcast of the same name. She's acclaimed for her evidence-based approach to nutrition, offering practical advice and debunking myths in the world of food and health.
22. Maureen Abood
- Country: United States
- Popular for: Lebanese cuisine, food blogging
- Social Media Followers: Instagram (100K+), Twitter (50K+)
Maureen Abood is a chef, author, and food blogger known for her expertise in Lebanese cuisine and her passion for sharing the flavors of her heritage. She's admired for her beautifully crafted recipes and her heartfelt storytelling.
23. Sarah Carey
- Country: United States
- Popular for: Easy recipes, Martha Stewart
- Social Media Followers: Instagram (44K+)
Sarah Carey is a culinary expert and editor-in-chief of Everyday Food magazine, a publication of Martha Stewart Living. She's known for her approachable recipes and her knack for simplifying cooking techniques for home cooks.
24. Nadiya Hussain
- Country: United Kingdom
- Popular for: British cuisine, The Great British Bake Off
- Social Media Followers: Instagram (800K+), Twitter (1M+)
Nadiya Hussain is a British chef, author, and television presenter known for winning the sixth season of The Great British Bake Off. She's celebrated for her innovative twists on classic British recipes and her engaging personality.
25. Laura Vitale
- Country: United States
- Popular for: Italian cuisine, Laura in the Kitchen
- Social Media Followers: Instagram (370K+), YouTube (3M+)
Laura Vitale is a chef and host of the cooking show Laura in the Kitchen, known for her delicious and accessible Italian recipes. She's admired for her warm personality and her ability to simplify cooking techniques for home cooks.
26. Matt Preston
- Country: Australia
- Popular for: Food criticism, MasterChef Australia
- Social Media Followers: Instagram (400K+), Twitter (200K+)
Matt Preston is a food critic, author, and television personality known for his role as a judge on MasterChef Australia. He's celebrated for his colorful personality and his insightful critiques of culinary creations.
27. Rosanna Pansino
- Country: United States
- Popular for: Nerdy Nummies, baking tutorials
- Social Media Followers: Instagram (4M+), YouTube (12M+)
Rosanna Pansino is a YouTube personality and author known for her baking show Nerdy Nummies. She's admired for her creative baking tutorials inspired by video games, movies, and pop culture.
28. Molly Baz
- Country: United States
- Popular for: Recipe development, Bon Appétit
- Social Media Followers: Instagram (700K+)
Molly Baz is a chef and recipe developer known for her work with Bon Appétit magazine. She's celebrated for her innovative recipes and her ability to simplify complex cooking techniques for home cooks.
29. Tieghan Gerard
- Country: United States
- Popular for: Comfort food, Half Baked Harvest
- Social Media Followers: Instagram (5M+)
Tieghan Gerard is a food blogger and cookbook author known for her comforting and creative recipes on her blog Half Baked Harvest. She's admired for her beautiful food photography and her down-to-earth approach to cooking.
30. Alex Guarnaschelli
- Country: United States
- Popular for: Fine dining, Chopped
- Social Media Followers: Instagram (1M+), Twitter (300K+)
Alex Guarnaschelli is a chef, author, and television personality known for her appearances on the cooking competition show Chopped. She's celebrated for her refined culinary skills and her passion for seasonal ingredients.
31. Joy Wilson (Joy the Baker)
- Country: United States
- Popular for: Baking, dessert recipes
- Social Media Followers: Instagram (500K+)
Joy Wilson, known as Joy the Baker, is a popular food blogger and author known for her delightful baking recipes and charming storytelling. She's celebrated for her approachable approach to baking and her ability to infuse joy into every recipe she shares.
32. Kenji López-Alt
- Country: United States
- Popular for: Culinary science, recipe development
- Social Media Followers: Instagram (600K+)
J. Kenji López-Alt is a chef, author, and managing culinary director of Serious Eats, known for his scientific approach to cooking and recipe development. He's celebrated for his thorough explanations of cooking techniques, debunking culinary myths, and creating delicious, foolproof recipes.
33. Ming Tsai
- Country: United States
- Popular for: East-West fusion cuisine, cooking shows
- Social Media Followers: Instagram (200K+), Twitter (200K+)
Ming Tsai is a celebrated chef, author, and television personality known for his innovative East-West fusion cuisine and his Emmy Award-winning cooking show, “Simply Ming.” He's admired for his culinary expertise, commitment to sustainability, and efforts to bridge cultural divides through food.
34. Anna Olson
- Country: Canada
- Popular for: Baking, pastry expertise
- Social Media Followers: Instagram (350K+), Twitter (50K+)
Anna Olson is a renowned Canadian pastry chef, television host, and cookbook author known for her expertise in baking and pastry arts. She's acclaimed for her elegant yet approachable recipes, captivating television presence, and dedication to teaching others the art of baking through her shows and books.
35. Zoe Francois
- Country: United States
- Popular for: Artisan bread baking, baking tutorials
- Social Media Followers: Instagram (400K+)
Zoe Francois is a highly regarded baker, author, and educator known for her expertise in artisan bread baking and her engaging baking tutorials. She's admired for her innovative approach to bread making, her commitment to sharing her knowledge with aspiring bakers, and her ability to inspire creativity in the kitchen.
36. Erwan Heussaff
- Country: Philippines
- Popular for: Filipino cuisine, healthy recipes
- Social Media Followers: Instagram (4M+), YouTube (1M+)
Erwan Heussaff is a Filipino-French chef, content creator, and entrepreneur known for his dedication to promoting Filipino cuisine and healthy eating. Through his social media platforms and YouTube channel, he shares delicious and nutritious recipes, along with insights into food culture and exploration.
He's admired for his passion for cooking, commitment to wellness, and efforts to showcase the diversity of Filipino flavors to a global audience.
37. David Lebovitz
- Country: United States (based in France)
- Popular for: French cuisine, dessert recipes
- Social Media Followers: Instagram (320K+), Twitter (300K+)
David Lebovitz is an American pastry chef, author, and blogger living in Paris, France. He's renowned for his expertise in French cuisine, particularly desserts, and his insightful writing on food and life in Paris.
With his popular blog and social media presence, he shares delicious recipes, culinary adventures, and glimpses into the vibrant food scene of Paris.
38. Ali Maffucci (Inspiralized)
- Country: United States
- Popular for: Spiralizing, healthy recipes
- Social Media Followers: Instagram (198K+)
Ali Maffucci is the founder of Inspiralized, a popular brand focused on spiralizing vegetables to create healthy, low-carb dishes. Through her cookbooks, blog, and social media channels, she inspires others to incorporate more vegetables into their diets with creative and delicious recipes. She's admired for her innovative approach to cooking and her commitment to promoting a healthy lifestyle through nutritious and flavorful meals.
Deb Perelman (Smitten Kitchen)
- Country: United States
- Popular for: Home cooking, food blogging
- Social Media Followers: Instagram (180K+)
Deb Perelman is the creator of the wildly popular food blog Smitten Kitchen, where she shares approachable yet elegant recipes for home cooks. Her down-to-earth writing style and mouthwatering photography have earned her a devoted following. Deb is celebrated for her knack for turning simple ingredients into extraordinary dishes and her ability to inspire confidence in the kitchen.
40. Yasmin Khan
Country: United Kingdom
Popular for: Middle Eastern cuisine, food activism
Social Media Followers: Instagram (100K+)
Yasmin Khan is a British-Iranian cook, author, and human rights campaigner known for her passion for Middle Eastern cuisine and her advocacy for social justice through food. Her cookbook “Zaitoun: Recipes from the Palestinian Kitchen” garnered critical acclaim for its celebration of Palestinian culture and cuisine.
Yasmin's work combines her love of food with a commitment to highlighting the stories and struggles of marginalized communities, making her a powerful voice in the culinary world.