Are you a fan of cooking? From slicing to dicing, it can be fun to be a chef in your own kitchen. But cooking is no simple task in the hospitality industry, especially if you’re striving to be one of few Michelin star chefs (see: what is a Michelin Star).
Of all the chefs out there, only a handful have the honor of holding Michelin Stars to their name. Throughout years of practice, Michelin Star chefs work tirelessly to perfect their technique both in the kitchen and on the plates they create.
We decided to research 10 of the most illustrious Michelin Star chefs. Keep reading to find out who they are.
How Do You Become a Michelin Star Chef?
Plot twist–there is actually no such thing as a Michelin-starred chef. Instead, it’s simply a nickname.
Whether you own a Michelin Star restaurant or have worked at one, the title of Michelin Star chef does not apply because it doesn’t exist. For example, Gordon Ramsay may own a Michelin-starred restaurant, but that doesn’t make him a Michelin Star chef.
The Michelin Guide awards a star to restaurants based on the quality of their food and the overall dining experience. From the executive chef to the wait staff, a Michelin Star represents the restaurant and its collective group of talented employees.
All types of chefs dream of working at a Michelin Star restaurant. So, how does a restaurant get a Michelin Star?
As an aspiring chef in the Michelin Star world, the kitchen is your home away from home. Your affinity for and attention to food is like a sixth sense.
You can chop any vegetable, meat, and fruit with your eyes closed. You know how to cook and refine your cooking along the way.
And to you, food is about so much more than flavor. Food is about the experience, the visual appeal, and the immediate nostalgia you feel for your meal after taking your last bite.
If you want your eatery to reach the top, here are a few of the most important factors to consider when you’re striving for a Michelin Star:
- Quality: From sharp utensils to fresh produce, your restaurant must prioritize the quality of your meals from start to finish. It takes time and patience to perfect the quality of any meal. But if you do it right, the quality is all your customers will think about when they take their last bite.
- Consistency: While many fine dining establishments thrive on spontaneity, consistency is the true key to success. Customers find comfort in consistency, especially when it comes to the delicious balance of flavors in their food. Remember that Michelin inspectors make multiple visits to your restaurant over a period of time to check for consistency.
- Service: Aside from outstanding flavors, customer service must be a priority for Michelin Star chefs. Customers are paying a pretty penny to eat at a high-end restaurant. Therefore, your restaurant and bar staff must be on their A-game. If you provide great customer service, your customers are also less likely to dine and dash.
- Standing out: You’ll want to lean on a solid restaurant marketing strategy to stand out from your competitors. Consider reinventing a standardized recipe or offering a prix fixe menu. You can also offer a range of popular cocktails and an appetizer list your customers can’t resist. In addition, you may want to hire a sommelier to recommend a food and wine pairing menu.
From different menu types to wine and cheese pairings, your restaurant must take creative cuisine to the next level to earn a Michelin Star.
The 10 Best Michelin Star Chefs in the World
Now that you know what it takes to become a chef at a Michelin Star restaurant, let’s celebrate some of the best in the world.
Here are the top 10 “Michelin Star chefs” in the world:
#10: Andreas Caminada
Number of Michelin Stars: Seven
For Andreas Caminada, cooking is not just a job, but a calling. He prides his cooking on the importance of using regional and seasonal ingredients.
In addition, Caminada believes good taste comes naturally if a chef cooks with passion, joy, and quality. His most famous restaurant is Schloss Schauenstein located in the Swiss Alps.
#9: Seiji Yamamoto
Number of Michelin Stars: Seven
Seiji Yamamoto brings gastronomy to another level. Classifying food as a science, Yamamoto combines kaiseki cooking with molecular gastronomy techniques to create exquisite dishes. Dining at his restaurant Ryugin in Tokyo, Japan, is an intimate, once-in-a-lifetime experience.
#8: Yoshihiro Murata
Number of Michelin Stars: Seven
Yoshihiro Murata is the third-generation owner of his family’s restaurant. Their restaurant, Kikunoi, sits in Kyoto. Here, Murata shares his expertise in kaiseki cuisine with the world. Blending ceremony and culture, Murata keeps his dishes seasonal to show that each meal is a study in nature.
#7: Thomas Keller
Number of Michelin Stars: Seven
Creative cuisine runs in Thomas Keller’s blood. He blends classic French cooking with an American twist to create a unique dining experience from coast to coast. His two most famous restaurants are French Laundry (San Francisco Bay Area) and Per Se (New York City). Both are absolutely worth a try.
#6: Gordon Ramsay
Number of Michelin Stars: Seven
Known for his cooking, cussing, and reality TV stardom, Scottish chef Gordon Ramsay makes quite the name for himself. In his career, he’s earned a total of 22 stars across 16 restaurants.
However, nine of those restaurants closed, leaving him with seven Michelin Stars across four restaurants. His three-star restaurant, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, sits in London. This high-end restaurant offers everything from Lake District lamb to Scottish seafood.
#5: Anne-Sophie Pic
Number of Michelin Stars: Eight
Anne-Sophie Pic takes the road less traveled in more ways than one. While she grew up around her family’s restaurant business, she didn’t consider the chef life until she was 23.
Since then, she’s used her creativity to make the most of her dishes and underrated ingredients like cabbage and turnip. You can try her take on French cooking at La Dame De Pic located in London.
#4: Martín Berasategui
Number of Michelin Stars: Eight
Born in San Sebastian, Spain, Martín Berasategui is one of the most incredible Spanish chefs in the world. In a country known for its flavors, spices, and delicious tapas, Berasategui prides his body and soul in his cooking. He earned his first Michelin Star at age 25 and is most famous for his self-named restaurant in Lasarte-Oria.
#3: Yannick Alléno
Number of Michelin Stars: 11
Born on the outskirts of Paris, Alléno followed his passion for cooking as early as 15 years old. Throughout his career, he has become an expert on French cuisine with the intention to modernize it.
He strives for simplicity, but adds the rich flavors of French sauces to enhance his dishes. One of his Michelin Star restaurants is Le 1947 located in the French Alps.
#2: Pierre Gagnaire
Number of Michelin Stars: 12
Pierre Gagnaire grew up around his family’s Michelin Star fame. Gagnaire earned his first star at age 26 and is famous for his contributions to fusion cuisine.
He reinvents the classical conventions of French cooking by playing around with textures, tastes, and ingredients. His three-star restaurant sits in Rue Balzac, Paris.
#1: Alain Ducasse
Number of Michelin Stars: 21
Coming in at number one with a total of 21 Michelin Stars, it’s safe to say Alain Ducasse is one of the best chefs in the world. His French background unites tradition, art, modernity, and flavor to create a harmonious cooking and dining experience. Throughout his career, he has operated over 30 restaurants, his most famous being Ducasse in Paris.
Fun fact: While Alain Ducasse currently holds the most Michelin Stars, the late Joël Robuchon earned 31 stars throughout his lifetime.
Curious about Michelin Star eateries in the US? Check out the top 25 Michelin Star restaurants in the US.
When it comes to running a Michelin Star restaurant, the entire staff has to be alert 24/7 to successfully manage restaurant operations. From inventory control (see: inventory tracking and what is inventory) to restaurant expenses, Michelin Star restaurants crave more than cooking to enjoy a high ROI.
Frequently Asked Questions About Michelin Star Chefs
Can a Chef Lose a Michelin Star?
As heartbreaking as it is, restaurants can indeed lose Michelin Stars. Most restaurants lose Michelin Stars due to a lack of consistency. Michelin inspectors revisit Michelin Star restaurants to keep them accountable for their food and service.
Who Is the Youngest Chef to Get Three Michelin Stars?
In 1994, Marco Pierre White became the youngest chef to earn three Michelin Stars at age 32. Earning one Michelin Star is the hallmark of culinary excellence. To earn three, and at such a young age, is a major accomplishment that requires a strong passion for cuisine.
Who Is the Richest Chef?
Alan Wong is the richest chef in the world with a net worth of $1.1 billion. He’s one of the 12 co-founders of Hawaii Regional Cuisine and owns several restaurants in Hawaii and one in Japan. He made an appearance on the show Top Chef and cooked a luau at the White House for former President Barack Obama.
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FAQs
How many 3 star Michelin chefs are there in the world? ›
All about Michelin Star Chefs? First, there are about 2500 restaurants awarded of 1 Michelin Star in the world, 500 restaurants with 2 Michelin Stars and around 150 awarded 3 Michelin Stars.
Who is the top Michelin chef in the world? ›Synonymous with breaking Michelin stars records, Alain Ducasse currently holds 17 Michelin stars. This makes him the current living chef with the most Michelin stars in the world.
Who is the #1 chef in the world? ›Joël Robuchon: 31 stars
Joël Robuchin holds the number one spot amongst the world's top 10 chefs, making him the best chef in the world according to Michelin star ratings.
Number of Michelin Stars: Seven
Known for his cooking, cussing, and reality TV stardom, Scottish chef Gordon Ramsay makes quite the name for himself. In his career, he's earned a total of 22 stars across 16 restaurants.
The Las Vegas Mesa Grill earned Flay his only Michelin Star in 2008, which was taken away in the 2009 edition. Michelin did not publish a 2010 or 2011 Las Vegas edition, so the star could not be re-earned.
Does anyone have 4 Michelin? ›Perhaps disappointingly, the answer is no - three is still the maximum number of Michelin stars that can be awarded to any one restaurant.
Who is the richest chef? ›- Guy Fieri. Net Worth: $20 million. ...
- Mario Batali. Net Worth: $25 million. ...
- Rick Bayless. Net Worth: $30 million. ...
- Charles David Ayers Jr. Net Worth: $45 million. ...
- Jose Andreas. Net Worth: $50 million. ...
- Ina Garten. Net Worth: $50 million. ...
- Giada De Laurentiis. Net Worth: $30 million. ...
- Bobby Flay.
Thomas Keller is the USA's most decorated chef, with a current total of seven Michelin stars.
Who is the highest paid celebrity chef? ›Who Is the Highest-Paid Chef in the World? The celebrity chef with the highest net worth is Alan Wong. While Alan Wong's net worth is often disputed, he is undoubtedly one of the most successful chefs in the world.
Who is the best female chef in the world? ›From its jungles to its deserts: the world's newly-crowned best female chef, Leonor Espinosa, draws her inspiration from Colombia's vast biodiversity and painful history.
Is Gordon Ramsay better than Bobby Flay? ›
Gordon Ramsay has earned far more Michelin stars than Bobby Flay. When it comes to cooking skill, both Ramsay and Flay seem to shine above other well-known celebrity chefs. But when it comes to Michelin-star-rated restaurants, Ramsay has Flay beat by a longshot.
Who trained Gordon Ramsay? ›After earning a vocational diploma in hotel management from North Oxon Technical College in 1987, he moved to London and began honing his culinary skills under chef Marco Pierre White at the restaurant Harvey's and under chef Albert Roux at La Gavroche.
Why did Gordon Ramsay lose 9 Michelin? ›Michael Ellis, the director of Michelin's Guide, explained the reason behind chef Ramsay's loss of his Michelin Stars is inconsistency. “The inspectors were disappointed with the consistency of the food,” he said.
How many Michelin stars does Guy Fieri have? ›Guy Fieri
Besides his television work, Fieri has written several cookbooks and reportedly owns more than 70 restaurants and 14 brands. And while he does not have a Michelin star to his name, Fieri has other accolades to be proud of.
As of 2022, there are about 2,817 Michelin Star restaurants in the world. That may sound like a large number. But in a world of 195 countries and a population of nearly eight billion people, the reality is that Michelin Star restaurants are rare.
Does Giada De Laurentiis have a Michelin star? ›In the show, hosted by Guy Fieri, chefs run through the aisles of a grocery store to shop for different recipe challenges. It's judged by a panel of three all-stars, like De Laurentiis, Guarnaschelli, and Crenn, who became the first woman to receive three Michelin stars for her restaurant Atelier Crenn.
Does Los Angeles have any Michelin star restaurants? ›In 2022, Michelin published a guide covering the entire state of California, awarding stars to 34 restaurants in Greater Los Angeles and Southern California.
Is Gordon Ramsay Michelin star rated? ›Restaurant Gordon Ramsay
Holding three Michelin stars, Gordon Ramsay's flagship restaurant on Royal Hospital Road showcases elegant modern French cuisine, the finest seasonal ingredients, and both classic and innovative culinary techniques.
Guy Savoy, who has been praised as the world's best chef, has lost one of his Michelin stars. His Monnaie de Paris restaurant was awarded three Michelin stars by the Michelin Guide in 2002, according to the restaurant, and maintained the status for two decades.
What's higher than a Michelin star? ›Michelin quantifies one star as being “high-quality cooking, worth a stop”; two stars is for “excellent cooking, worth a detour”; and finally, the prestigious three stars represent “exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey.”
Who has the highest Michelin star? ›
1. Joël Robuchon: 31 Michelin Stars. Many consider the late French chef Joël Robuchon the best chef of the modern age.
What is the number 1 ranked restaurant in the world? ›| Year | 1st | 2nd |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Osteria Francescana | El Celler de Can Roca |
| 2017 | Eleven Madison Park | Osteria Francescana |
| 2018 | Osteria Francescana | El Celler de Can Roca |
| 2019 | Mirazur | Noma |
With both the most restaurants and starring roles on TV, it's not surprising that Gordon Ramsay has gobbled the most points.
What is Gordon Ramsay's favorite food? ›Ramsay previously said if he could choose his last meal on Earth, it would be beef Wellington. Ramsay is a huge fan of the British dish, and many regard his own recipe as his greatest of all.
Who is Oprah Winfrey's chef? ›| Art Smith | |
|---|---|
| Previous restaurant(s) American European Express (transcontinental train) | |
| Television show(s) The Oprah Winfrey Show Iron Chef America BBQ Pitmasters Chopped All Stars | |
| Website | http://www.chefartsmith.net/ |
Part of the Thomas Keller Restaurant Groups, The French Laundry was awarded three Michelin stars in 2007, making Keller the only US-born chef with two three-Michelin-star restaurants.
Who is the best female chef in America? ›- Dominique Crenn. San Francisco, CA. ...
- Renee Erickson. Seattle, WA. ...
- Suzanne Goin. West Hollywood, CA. ...
- Stephanie Izard. Chicago, IL. ...
- Jennifer Jasinski. Denver, CO. ...
- Barbara Lynch. Boston, MA. ...
- Anne Quatrano. Atlanta, GA. ...
- Susan Spicer. New Orleans, LA.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | |
|---|---|---|
| Top Earners | $96,000 | $8,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $87,000 | $7,250 |
| Average | $71,676 | $5,973 |
| 25th Percentile | $53,500 | $4,458 |
They have all made a fortune through their respective professions, and Bravo's salary comes as an added bonus. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Lakshmi's salary per episode is $50,000. Colicchio and Simmons' remunerations cannot be found online, however, are expected to be around the same as the host's pay.
What is the average salary of a Top Chef? ›As of Mar 3, 2023, the average annual pay for a Top Chef in the United States is $64,336 a year.
Who is the highest paid female chef? ›
Rachael Ray
In addition to her popular food show, she has also written numerous cookbooks and hosts a successful line of cookware, making her one of the highest-paid chefs with a net worth of around $100 million.
| Lisa Faulkner | |
|---|---|
| Occupations | Actress chef presenter |
| Years active | 1992–present |
| Spouses | Chris Coghill ( m. 2005; div. 2011) John Torode ( m. 2019) |
| Children | 1 |
1. Chef Julia Child. As a legend in the industry, Julia Child is a star both in the kitchen and on television.
Who ever Beat Bobby Flay? ›Alex Guarnaschelli Wins Against Bobby Flay On Beat Bobby Flay. There is no better chef in the world than Bobby Flay. However, on episode nine of “Beat Bobby Flay,” Alex Guarnaschelli proved to Bobby Flay that she has what it takes to beat him in the competition.
What chefs are better than Gordon Ramsay? ›- Joël Robuchon, 31 Michelin Stars. Introducing Joël Robuchon - the chef with the highest number of Michelin stars. ...
- Alain Ducasse, 21 Michelin Stars. ...
- Gordon Ramsay, 16 Michelin Stars. ...
- Martin Berasategui, 8 Michelin Stars. ...
- Carme Ruscalleda, 7 Michelin Stars.
White also once made a young Gordon Ramsay cry while Ramsay worked for him, and later said, "I don't recall what he'd done wrong but I yelled at him and he lost it. Gordon crouched down in the corner of the kitchen, buried his head in his hands and started sobbing."
What is the most difficult dish to make? ›1. The Fugu Puffer Fish. A Japanese delicacy, this deadly dish's organs contain a neurotoxin 1,000 times more powerful than cyanide. The most dangerous and possibly hardest dish to cook on this list, Fugu must first be dismembered using special Japanese knives and its parts hastily separated into 'edible' or 'deadly'.
Who is Gordon Ramsay's main chef? ›Matt Abé Matt Abé has spent 16 years rising through the ranks of Gordon Ramsay Restaurants in London, where he now holds the position of Chef Patron at the prestigious three Michelin-starred Restaurant Gordon Ramsay.
Why has Gordon Ramsay lost his Michelin stars? ›In October 2013, the Gordon Ramsay at The London restaurant in New York lost its two Michelin stars owing to issues encountered by the Michelin reviewers. The guide's director Michael Ellis stated that he was served "some very erratic meals" and also experienced "issues with consistency."
Why did Gordon lose Michelin stars? ›In October 2013, the Gordon Ramsay at The London restaurant in New York lost its two Michelin stars owing to issues encountered by the Michelin reviewers. The guide's director Michael Ellis stated that he was served "some very erratic meals" and also experienced "issues with consistency."
What chefs have more Michelin stars than Gordon Ramsay? ›
- Joël Robuchon: 32 Michelin Stars.
- Alain Ducasse: 21 Michelin Stars.
- Gordon Ramsay: 17 Michelin Stars.
- Pierre Gagnaire: 14 Michelin Stars.
- Martin Berasategui: 12 Michelin Stars.
- Yannick Alléno: 10 Michelin Stars.
- Andreas Caminada: 9 Michelin Stars.
- Anne-Sophie Pic: 10 Michelin Stars.
1. Guy Fieri. If you flip on the Food Network at any given time, you have a pretty good chance of seeing one of the most famous (and recognizable) chefs in America, Guy Fieri.
What rank is Gordon Ramsay in the world? ›Gordon Ramsay – 7 Michelin stars
Although he's been awarded 16 Michelin stars throughout his career, he currently holds seven.
Guy Fieri
Known for his iconic highlighted hair, Oakley sunglasses and bowling shirts, Fieri is maybe the most mainstream famous chef. Fieri is an Emmy award-winning chef who owns three California restaurants and also licenses out his name and infamous “Flavortown” catchphrase to restaurants across the country.
The Las Vegas Mesa Grill earned Flay his only Michelin Star in 2008, which was taken away in the 2009 edition. Michelin did not publish a 2010 or 2011 Las Vegas edition, so the star could not be re-earned.
What US city has the most Michelin star restaurants? ›New York City is home to a total of 65 Michelin stars, including five three-star selections — the most out of any U.S. city.
How many Michelin 3 stars are in the US? ›Taking all that into consideration, it's easy to understand why chefs covet the elusive three-star rating. As of June 2022, 13 U.S. restaurants each hold three 3 Michelin stars (via Michelin Guide). The list includes five restaurants in New York, one in Washington, D.C., one in Chicago, and six in California.
How hard is it to get 3 Michelin stars? ›To earn one Michelin star, a restaurant needs to be “a very good restaurant in this category”. For two stars, it needs to be “excellent cooking, worth a detour”. For three stars, a restaurant must serve “exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey.”
What chef has the most 3 Michelin star restaurants? ›Alain Ducasse, 21 Michelin Stars
Alain Ducasse may easily be the most successful among the world's top 10 chefs. This is what he managed to achieve: Earned his 21 Michelin stars and kept them throughout his career. He is the proud owner of 3 Michelin Stars restaurants.
I am of course speaking of Paul Bocuse, the “pope” of modern French gastronomy, whose restaurant I had a chance to visit last January and who has been awarded 3 Michelin stars since 1965, making him the longest holder of this prestigious award in the world.
Which US city has the most Michelin stars? ›
Michelin. Restaurants in the U.S. Receiving a Michelin star is still the highest honor for a restaurant and more than 200 in the United States currently hold the distinction. Michelin-star restaurants cluster around the country's biggest metros and most can be found in New York City.
Do any US restaurants have Michelin stars? ›There are nearly 200 Michelin Star restaurants in the US.
Now, there are Michelin Star restaurants in many big cities across the country.
Boasting over 200 Michelin star restaurants, the USA has one of the most incredible fine dining scenes on the planet. Each year, the prestigious dining guide sends its inspectors out to all corners of the country including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Florida and Washington DC.
Do Michelin Stars expire? ›Technically speaking, Michelin stars do expire after the publication of a new Guide. However, most critics and consumers accept that restaurants don't lose and then regain stars year after year. In almost all cases, the decision to revoke a star will not have been taken lightly.
Do you tip at 3 Michelin star restaurants? ›Thankfully, a majority of Michelin restaurants that I've visited include a 15-20% service and tip fee automatically which you'll see listed on the bill. Of course you are welcome to add additional tips on top of that if you are happy with the service!
How much does food cost in a 3 Michelin star restaurant? ›Of course, each restaurant has its own prices. There is, after all, no set cost to enjoy a three Michelin starred meal. Some restaurants charge as little as $120 per person, while others charge up to $563.
What is Gordon Ramsay's highest Michelin star? ›Michelin Starred Dining
Our flagship destination, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay in Chelsea, gained the ultimate accolade of three Michelin stars in 2001 and has retained them ever since, a true mark of excellence, quality and consistency.
Thomas Keller is the USA's most decorated chef, with a current total of seven Michelin stars.
Who was the youngest Michelin star to win? ›At Adlards in Norwich, by age 22, Byrne was the youngest chef to win a Michelin star. He worked at a number of Michelin-starred establishments.