It’s definitely food for thought.
Each country’s most popular chef has been revealed on a fascinating world map, accompanied by a US map highlighting each state’s most sought-after chef.
The maps were created by food and beverage tour operator Explore Worldwide, which determined the number one chef in each country and US state by assembling a list of top chefs and restaurateurs and then analyzing the global search volume for their names. on Google from November 2022 to October 2023.
The chef with the most searches was named the most popular in their country (or state) of birth.
Overall, Gordon Ramsay reigns as the most Googled chef in the world (and the UK) with 12 million searches on the platform last year.
This fascinating world map from Explore Worldwide reveals the chefs who have made the biggest impression in every country in the world.
After Ramsay and his multiple Michelin stars there is Jamie Oliver, who obtained more than 4.42 million searches last year and places him as the second most searched chef in the world, along with the American Guy Fieri.
“Oliver’s home cooking style, which focuses on big flavors rather than sophisticated presentation, is very different from Ramsay’s dining experience,” says Explore Worldwide.
“But combined with his dedication to food advocacy, Jamie Oliver is synonymous with accessible and nutritious dishes.”
In third place globally is another UK chef, celebrity home cook Nigella Lawson, with 2.95 million searches.
Breaking the UK’s dominance is American chef Bobby Flay and Italian Giada De Laurentiis is in joint fourth position, each with 1.98 million searches performed last year.
Leading figures in European cuisine appear on the maps, including Austrian Wolfgang Puck, “a legacy in the culinary world,” and Frenchman Alain Ducasse, “the only living chef to hold more than 20 Michelin stars,” Explore Worldwide says.
“Born in Rome, De Laurentiis has a brilliant ability to deliver the rustic flavors of her native country on 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 the UK 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 of people.’
D’Acampo shares fifth place with Singaporean chef Tariq Helou, who the tour operator describes as an example of “a pioneer of fine dining who does not often appear on our television screens.”
The classification also includes other prominent figures of European cuisine, such as the Austrian Wolfgang Puck (joint sixth), “a legacy in the culinary world”, and the Frenchman Alain Ducasse (seventh), “the only living chef with more than 20 Michelin stars”. , adds Explore Worldwide.
Meanwhile, Curtis Stone (594,000) is the most popular Australian chef and is ranked ninth on the global list.
If we approach the United Kingdom, the most searched Scottish chef on Google is Gordon Ramsay, while Jamie Oliver wins for England, Bryn Williams for Wales and Clare Smyth for Northern Ireland, according to the study.
Ricard Camarena is the most searched chef on Google in Spain, while in Germany it is Heinz Beck, according to the maps.
On a separate map of US states, Sam Choy is Hawaii’s most sought-after chef, Brian Malarkey is Oregon’s most popular, and California’s Antonia Lofaso and Thomas Keller are.
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 sought after New York chef.
On a separate map of US states, Sam Choy is Hawaii’s most sought-after chef, Brian Malarkey is Oregon’s most popular, and California’s Antonia Lofaso and Thomas Keller are.
The most popular chef in Missouri is Christopher Gross, in New Jersey it is Buddy Valastro and Tom Colicchio, in Florida it is Michelle Bernstein and Bobby Flay is the most searched for New York chef, according to the data.
Former TV chef Mario Batali is the most Googled Washingtonian despite having been largely absent from mainstream media since he was first accused of sexual misconduct in 2017, something he has strenuously denied and so he has never been prosecuted.
Among the African chefs named on the map are Mourad Lahlou as the most sought-after Moroccan chef in the world, Pierre Thiam as the most popular in Senegal, Elijah Amoo Addo from Ghana and Carmine Pecoraro from South Africa. The most searched Chinese chef is Vicky Lau, with 1.32 million visits, also ranking sixth in the world along with the Austrian Wolfgang Puck and the Nigerian Hilda Baci.
The most Googled South American chefs include Rodolfo Guzmán from Chile and Francis Mallmann from Argentina.
The most Googled South American chefs include Rodolfo Guzmán from Chile; Francis Mallmann from Argentina; Gastón Acurio from Peru and Rodrigo Oliveira from Brazil, as the map shows.
In Asia, popular names include Sanjay Thumma from India, Chef Wan from Malaysia, McDang from Thailand and Jiro Ono from Japan.
The most searched Chinese chef is Vicky Lau, with 1.32 million visits, also ranking sixth in the world along with the Austrian Wolfgang Puck and the Nigerian Hilda Baci.
Other African chefs named on the map include Mourad Lahlou as the most sought-after Moroccan chef in the world, Pierre Thiam as the most popular in Senegal, Elijah Amoo Addo from Ghana and Carmine Pecoraro from South Africa.
Commenting on the data, Michael Edwards, CEO of Explore, added: “From the innovative creations of Wolfgang Puck to the warm flavors of Hilda Baci’s Nigerian cuisine, this research has certainly given us a deeper appreciation of diversity. cuisine that enriches our world. .
‘Food inspires travel in many ways, from trying authentic local dishes to visiting famous fine dining establishments. “We hope our study inspires explorers to discover more about the food heritage and art that can be found in their destination.”
The full findings and more information on the foods you should try in each country and continent can be found here: www.exploreworldwide.com/blog/most-searched-chefs