Many of the emcees of Food Network have crafted their own lanes with signature dishes, and the ability to connect with viewers globally. From Bobby Flay’s laid-back approach to barbecuing to Ina Garten’s timeless approach to preparing a quick meal for friends, these cooks have anchored the cable channel since its 1993 inception.
To celebrate Italian chef Giada De Laurentiis’ birthday, Variety ranks the 14 best hosts and emcees of Food Network (and spinoff Cooking Channel) in the last 20 years. For the purposes of the list, we’re only citing those who were the host of a particular series, not guest judges. Although conquerors of the culinary world, don’t expect to see the names of veterans Julia Child, Wolfgang Puck or Anthony Bourdain (although they are some of the best in history).
The New York-based cable channel has produced some of the most entertaining and mouth-watering television shows of all time. Whether it’s Guy Fieri “rolling out” with his “Triple D” or Aarón Sánchez bringing the wizardry of Mexican flavors, there’s someone for everyone watching at home.
With long-standing staples such as prepping for a dinner party with hostess Garten, learning 30-minute meals from Rachael Ray or getting the satisfaction of “good eats” from former cinematographer Alton Brown, there are still more stars to be made, and more food to be eaten.
See who made the list of best Food Network hosts below.
Honorable mentions: Jose Garces, Tyler Florence, Alex Guarnaschelli, Sandra Lee, Michael Symon, Ming Tsai, Bobby Flay
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Aarti Sequeira
Notable Shows: “Aarti Party” and “Taste in Translation”
Favorite Dish They Made: Homemade “magic” chocolate sauce with garam masala and ginger (https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/aarti-sequeira/homemade-magic-chocolate-sauce-with-garam-masala-and-ginger-recipe-1925216)
As the winner of the sixth season of Food Network’s hit reality series “The Next Food Network Star” in 2010, Mumbai-born Aarti Sequeira brought rich and vibrant flavors to the network with her inaugural show, “Aarti Party.” Although canceled after a year, it remains a highlight. Making her presence with other shows such as “Taste in Translation” and “Guy’s Grocery Games,” her unique American dishes with Indian influences should be more of a staple on the network, more than a decade later.
-Clayton Davis
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Jeff Mauro
Notable Shows: “The Kitchen,” “Sandwich King,” “Food Network Star”
Favorite Dish They Made: Hawaiian BBQ pulled pork sandwiches with grilled pineapple relish (https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/jeff-mauro/hawaiian-bbq-pulled-pork-sandwich-with-grilled-pineapple-relish-recipe-2119987)
The winner of “Food Network Star” Season 7 truly is the sandwich king. From Chicago Italian beef to chicken paninis, Jeff Mauro can master anything between two pieces of bread. “The Kitchen” co-host wears his personality on his sleeve, coming across more like a kind childhood friend than a top-class chef. His approachable and simple yet scrumptious kitchen creations have elevated this Chicago native to a true Food Network star.
-Carson Burton
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Aarón Sánchez
Notable Shows: “Melting Pot,” “Heat Seekers,” “Taco Trip” and “Chopped”
Favorite Dish They Made: Chipotle marinated ribeye with encebollado (https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/chipotle-marinated-ribeye-with-encebollado-recipe-191728)
The spicy flavors of Mexico have been brought to life for over two decades on the Food Network under the passion of celebrity chef Aarón Sánchez. Along with being a judge on Food Network’s flagship series “Chopped,” he gained fame for steering the Emmy-nominated “Taco Trip” for two years. With his partners Miles Landrem and Drew Mire, he owns the highly regarded Johnny Sánchez in New Orleans. Let the Latino voice and experience continue to thrive, Aarón!
-Clayton Davis
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Geoffrey Zakarian
Image Credit: Courtesy of Geoffrey Zakarian Notable Shows: “Chopped,” “Iron Chef America,” The Kitchen,”
Favorite Dish They Made: Bucatini al limone (https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/geoffrey-zakarian/bucatini-al-limone-5542446)
One of the most iconic chef judges on “Chopped,” Geoffrey Zakarian knows how to create stunningly elegant and refined dishes. Zakarian is one of Food Network’s greatest cooking minds, dubbed an Iron Chef after he won the competition show “The Next Iron Chef: Super Chefs.” As an Iron Chef and co-host of “The Kitchen,” Zakarian is exceptionally skilled at crafting delicate dishes that can be at-home delights with a bit of practice and skill. But, of course, the celebrity chef will always be remembered as a critical mind behind the dreaded chopping block.
-Carson Burton
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Nigella Lawson
Notable Shows: “At Home With Nigella”
Favorite Dish They Made: Chocolate peanut butter fudge sundae (https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/chocolate-peanut-butter-fudge-sundae-recipe-2013148)
Find a person that loves you the way that Nigella Lawson loves food, as she’s shown with shows such as “Nigella Feasts” and “Nigella Kitchen.” Her love for the culinary arts and her eating habits are some of the best moments on any Food Network program. The English sensation continues to be a veteran that all future emcees should look up to, especially when talking about desserts, steaks and small bites.
-Clayton Davis
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Sunny Anderson
Notable Shows: “How’d That Get on My Plate?,” “Cooking for Real” and “The Kitchen”
Favorite Dish They Made: Sunny’s easy apple stuffing loaf (https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/sunny-anderson/sunnys-easy-apple-stuffing-loaf-11947621)
One of the co-hosts of the Emmy-nominated “The Kitchen,” Sunny Anderson brings a down-to-earth style and personality to any show she helms. Whether she’s teaching us to make a spicy bean dip or her twice baked potatoes, she offers the tools to make any gathering easy and delicious. Take a look at any of her luscious desserts and her fun-packaged game day chili as examples.
-Clayton Davis
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Robert Irvine
Image Credit: Jean-Marc Giboux Notable Shows: “Dinner: Impossible,” “Worst Cooks in America” and “Restaurant: Impossible”
Favorite Dish They Made: Chicken and waffles (https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/robert-irvine/chicken-and-waffles-recipe-2000172)
Robert Irvine is a unique figure on Food Network as he challenges chefs and restaurant owners to improve their businesses and their own dishes with the makeover show “Restaurant: Impossible.” Flexing more than muscle, we’ve seen him compete on shows like “The Next Iron Chef” and being featured on others like “Chopped,” and delivering his British wit and tough criticism, laid within the bedrock of a love for nutrition and food.
-Clayton Davis
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Ree Drummond
Image Credit: Betsy Dutcher Notable Shows: “The Pioneer Woman”
Favorite Dish They Made: Cinnamon baked French toast (https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/cinnamon-baked-french-toast-recipe-2120484)
The blogger and author turned empress of her own brand and show “The Pioneer Woman,” Ree Drummond has been displaying the daily simplicities of life on her ranch in Oklahoma with her husband Ladd and five children. Whether it’s trying to figure out how to feed an entire little league team or Ladd’s ranch hands once they’re done tending to the animals, she brings out the beauty of food with her mug omelets, fried red tomato sandwiches, mouth-watering brownie pizzas and more.
-Clayton Davis
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Guy Fieri
Image Credit: Courtesy of Sean Rosenthal Notable Shows: “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” “Guy’s Grocery Games,” “Guy’s Big Bite”
Favorite Dish They Made: Dry aged prime rib roast (https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/guy-fieri/dry-aged-prime-rib-roast-recipe-2012137)
As much an internet meme as he is an eccentric cooking legend, Guy Fieri has transcended the title of “celebrity chef.” The wild, bleach blonde-haired chef takes viewers to flavor town with his all-American eats and eccentric personality. One of Food Network’s most popular shows, “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” sees Fieri and his 1967 cherry red Chevy Camaro traveling to all corners of the country to take on some of the greasiest yet most delicious bites.
-Carson Burton
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Giada De Laurentiis
Image Credit: Eddy Chen/Food Network Notable Shows: “Giada at Home”
Favorite Dish They Made: Beef and cheese manicotti (https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/beef-and-cheese-manicotti-recipe-1914958)
A signature force on Food Network, Giada De Laurentiis remains accessible to viewers with pasta dishes that will surely put you in a food coma and any number of vibrant-looking chicken meals, such as her chicken florentine or chicken piccata. Comfort food will always bring the warm fuzzies out. Let’s not forget her refreshing cocktails that make the day a little more elevated.
-Clayton Davis
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Alton Brown
Image Credit: GREG GAYNE/NETFLIX Notable Shows: “Good Eats,” “Iron Chef America,” “Cutthroat Kitchen”
Favorite Dish They Made: Roast turkey (https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/good-eats-roast-turkey-recipe-1950271)
From rants about single-use kitchen utensils to lectures about the logistics behind boiling pasta, Alton Brown makes cooking accessible for all. The celebrity chef is as much an educator as he is a television personality, as he breaks down the science behind what makes food taste great. For years, Brown brought humor to “Iron Chef America” as the energetic, on-point and hilarious play-by-play announcer behind the kitchen’s intense battles. And, of course, we must mention one of the most underrated cooking competition shows that ever lived on Food Network: Brown’s mischievous “Cutthroat Kitchen.”
-Carson Burton
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Emeril Lagasse
Image Credit: ©Food Network/Courtesy Everett Collection Notable Shows: “Emeril Live,” “Essence of Emeril”
Favorite Dish They Made: Banana cream pie with caramel drizzles and chocolate sauce (https://www.emerils.com/127759/banana-cream-pie-caramel-drizzles-and-chocolate-sauce)
Emeril Lagasse is a legend. While the Food Network star saw his most significant period of fame in the early 2000s with shows like “Emeril Live” and “Essence of Emeril,” he’s a network mainstay. The classically trained cook is renowned for his “New New Orleans” style of cooking, his own take on Creole cuisine. Not only a chef but also a humanitarian, Lagasse can melt anyone’s heart through his soulful cooking and genuine personality.
-Carson Burton
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Rachael Ray
Image Credit: Jeff Lipsky Notable Shows: “The Rachel Ray Show,” “30-Minute Meals,” “$40-a-Day”
Favorite Dish They Made: Mexican lasagna (https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/mexican-lasagna-recipe-1915752)
The one, the only, the unstoppable Rachael Ray. Starting at the network back in 2001, Ray’s simple and hands-on approach to cooking made her an instant fan favorite. While she may not be a classically trained cook like others on this list, Ray’s at-home vibe has elevated her to daytime talk-show host. The kitchen queen has such a hold over culture that in 2007, the Oxford American College Dictionary added the word “EVOO,” short for extra-virgin olive oil, to its newest edition. Ray coined the term on her show because it’s “a time-saver. It’s a mouthful to say extra-virgin olive oil repeatedly.” Legendary.
-Carson Burton
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Ina Garten
Image Credit: Discovery Plus Notable Shows: “Barefoot Contessa”
Favorite Dish They Made: Beatty’s chocolate cake (https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/beattys-chocolate-cake-recipe-1947521)
The epitome of elegance, Ina Garten has built a legion of admirers in the Hamptons and beyond, since her show “Barefoot Contessa” debuted in 2002. Currently the oldest show on the network’s daytime schedule, the chef assembles dishes that run the gamut from simple to complex. She can make any chocolate dish become a living lifeform. My dream in life is to be invited over for a chicken sandwich and a crumbly dessert she threw together in honor of her husband Jeffrey’s return from a business trip.
-Clayton Davis