A good chef can inspire a home cook to want to try adventurous things at home.
Below are some of my favorites.
Alton Brown is not a chef in the classical sense of the word; although he did attend
culinary school, he has never been the head of a kitchen. He is famous for his show "Good Eats,"
which is like a mad-science TV food program. He breaks different foods down, gets to know them
from the ground up, and then creates wonderful recipes.
He is my biggest inspiration when I cook something new.
Mario Batali is an Italian-American chef who concentrates on Italian and North African cuisine.
He is an Iron Chef on Food Network, and has his own TV show on the same channel.
Julia Child is the mother of all "Food On TV." She was engaging, playful, and above all, knowledgeable.
She has several excellent books on cooking, and she is the inspiration behind many great chefs, and home cooks, today.
Joel Robuchon is not widely known like many American chefs who gain TV exposure. He is a French chef, but with a great claim to notoriety. His restaurants have earned him a total of 18 Michelin Stars, more than any other chef in the world. His food can be expensive, but he can also provide a reasonably-priced meal in most of his restaurants.
Jose Garces is also an Iron Chef on the Food Network. He was born in Chicago, but currently lives and works in Philadelphia, where he owns and operates seven restaurants. He cooks Southwestern and Mexican fare, but often gives it an modern American twist.
