Fascinating map reveals every country’s most popular chef, with Gordan Ramsay the most Googled overall and Guy Fieri number 1 in the US
It’s certainly food for thought.
Each country’s most popular chef has been revealed on a fascinating world map, with an accompanying US map highlighting each state’s most sought-after chef.
The maps were created by food and drink tour operator Explore Worldwide, which determined the No. 1 chef in each country and U.S. state by gathering a list of prominent chefs and restauranteurs and then using Google’s global search volume on their names to be analyzed from November 2022 to October 2023.
The chef with the highest number of searches was declared the most popular in his native country (or state).
Overall, Gordon Ramsay reigns as the most Googled chef in the world (and Britain) with 12 million searches on the platform last year.
This fascinating world map from Explore Worldwide reveals the chefs who have made the biggest impact in every country around the world
Following Ramsay and his multiple Michelin stars is Jamie Oliver, who racked up more than 4.42 million searches last year, ranking him as the second most searched-for chef in the world, along with American Guy Fieri.
“Oliver’s home-cooked cooking style, which emphasizes big flavors rather than fancy presentation, is vastly different from Ramsay’s expertise in fine dining,” says Explore Worldwide.
‘But combined with his commitment to food advocacy, Jamie Oliver is synonymous with dishes that are accessible and nutritious.’
In third place globally is another British chef, celebrated home cook Nigella Lawson, with 2.95 million searches.
Breaking British rule is American chef Bobby Flay and Italy’s Giada De Laurentiis is tied for fourth place, each with 1.98 million searches last year.
Renowned figureheads of European cuisine are on the cards, including Austrian Wolfgang Puck, ‘a legacy in the culinary world’, and France’s Alain Ducasse, ‘the only living chef with more than twenty Michelin stars’ , says Explore Worldwide
“Born in Rome, De Laurentiis has a brilliant ability to bring the rustic flavors of her native country to a plate and regularly appears on cooking shows on major US television networks,” says Explore Worldwide.
‘Fellow Italian Gino D’Acampo completes the top five with 1.62 million searches. Born in Torre del Greco, D’Acampo is known in Britain and internationally for making Italian cuisine accessible and fun; his burning passion for simple, high-quality ingredients and traditional Italian techniques has endeared him to millions.”
D’Acampo shares fifth place with Singaporean chef Tariq Helou, who describes the tour operator as an example of “a fine-dining pioneer who doesn’t often grace our TV screens.”
Other renowned figureheads of European cuisine appear in the rankings, including Austrian Wolfgang Puck (joint sixth), ‘a legacy in the culinary world’, and France’s Alain Ducasse (joint seventh), ‘the only living chef with more than twenty Michelin stars’ , Explore Worldwide adds.
Curtis Stone (594,000) is now the most popular Australian chef and is joint ninth on the global map.
Looking at Britain, Gordon Ramsay is the most Googled Scottish chef, while Jamie Oliver wins for England, Bryn Williams for Wales and Clare Smyth for Northern Ireland, the survey says.
Ricard Camarena is the most Googled chef in the country, while in Germany it is Heinz Beck, the cards show.
On a separate map of the American states, Sam Choy is the most searched chef from Hawaii, Brian Malarkey is the most popular from Oregon and from California it is Antonia Lofaso and Thomas Keller
The most popular chef from Missouri is Christopher Gross, from New Jersey it is Buddy Valastro and Tom Colicchio, from Florida it is Michelle Bernstein, and Bobby Flay is the most searched chef from New York.
On a separate map of the American states, Sam Choy is the most searched chef from Hawaii, Brian Malarkey is the most popular from Oregon and from California it is Antonia Lofaso and Thomas Keller.
The most popular chef from Missouri is Christopher Gross, from New Jersey it is Buddy Valastro and Tom Colicchio, from Florida it is Michelle Bernstein, and Bobby Flay is the most searched for chef from New York, the data shows.
Former TV chef Mario Batali is Washington’s most Googled, despite being largely absent from mainstream media since he was first accused of sexual misconduct in 2017, something he has vehemently denied and for which he has never been prosecuted.
Among the African chefs featured on the map are Mourad Lahlou as the world’s most sought-after Moroccan chef, Pierre Thiam as the most popular from Senegal, Elijah Amoo Addo from Ghana and South Africa’s Carmine Pecoraro. The most searched Chinese chef is Vicky Lau, with 1.32 million views, and is also tied for sixth in the world, alongside Austria’s Wolfgang Puck and Nigeria’s Hilda Baci
The most Googled chefs from South America include Rodolfo Guzman from Chile and Francis Mallmann from Argentina
The most Googled chefs from South America include Rodolfo Guzman from Chile; Francis Mallmann from Argentina; Gaston Acurio from Peru and Rodrigo Oliveira from Brazil, the map shows.
In Asia, the most popular names are Sanjay Thumma from India, Chef Wan from Malaysia, McDang from Thailand and Japan’s Jiro Ono.
The most searched Chinese chef is Vicky Lau, with 1.32 million views, and is also tied for sixth in the world, alongside Austria’s Wolfgang Puck and Nigeria’s Hilda Baci.
Among other African chefs featured on the map are Mourad Lahlou as the world’s most sought-after Moroccan chef, Pierre Thiam as the most popular from Senegal, Elijah Amoo Addo from Ghana and South Africa’s Carmine Pecoraro.
Commenting on the data, Michael Edwards, managing director at Explore, added: ‘From the innovative creations of Wolfgang Puck to the warm flavors of Nigerian cuisine from Hilda Baci, this research has certainly given us a deeper appreciation for culinary diversity that enriches our world. .
‘Food inspires travel in so many ways, from trying authentic local dishes to visiting famous gourmet restaurants. We hope our research inspires explorers to learn more about the food heritage and artistry found in their destinations.”
The full findings and further information on the foods you should try in each country and continent can be found here: www.exploreworldwide.com/blog/most-searched-chefs