Celebrity Chefs - Before Food Network TV

Food Network TV has given food a new sense "fashion." It has also given chefs a celebrity status normally reserved for movie stars, high fashion designers, and supermodels.

If you cannot clearly remember a time when the Food Network did not exist, you might be inclined to believe celebrity chefs did not exist before the launch of the network.

However, if you belong to a previous generation of television viewers, you will remember these beloved chefs - they were not as celebrated as the chefs of today, but they certainly paved the way

Julia Child

This one is a no-brainer. Julia Child is to celebrity chefs as Barack Obama is to black U.S. Presidents. If you had the pleasure of watching the film "Julie & Julia" (2009), you already know the story of her groundbreaking rise to the top of the epicurean world during the 1950s.

The French Chef was the name of her television show, and it aired on public television's iconic WGBH Television. If a love of rich French cuisine is your forte, then The French Chef would have been just the thing for you. Besides her mastery of French cooking, we also remember Julia Child for her distinctive voice, and her no-nonsense style.

Justin Wilson

Some people may not remember Justin Wilson by name, but many will recall his distinctive, creole accent. "I guar-an-tee!" was his favorite phrase, and he is credited with creating a large national interest in Cajun food.

Justin Wilson was an uproariously funny guy, and we tuned in every week for his tall tales as much as for his meticulously seasoned food. He is also remembered for his habit of ending every meal with a generous glass of wine... or as he would say "whiiiine."

Jeff Smith

Jeff Smith was so popular on his television show which aired on PBS , until he became more well known by the show's title, The Frugal Gourmet, than his own name. Besides his penchant for creating inexpensive meals with no sacrifice in taste, we mostly remember Jeff Smith for his smooth, easy-going style. He was a mild mannered soul, and one could easily envision him in is other role as an ordained minister.

Martin Yan

To American audiences, before Martin Yan, Chinese food was only a take-out food concept that came in mysterious little red and white paper boxes, with silver wire carrying handles. Yan's show, Yan Can Cook, brought a bit of Chinese culture into American living rooms.

We mostly remember Martin Yan for his cooking style that was infused with a sense of humor. Out of all of the celebrity chefs of the past, Martin Yan is the only one who is still alive and well today, you can find him at his website for the show, at Yancancook.com; his show still airs on PBS stations.

- Sources -

http://www.justinwilson.com/

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0808669/bio

http://www.pbs.org/juliachild/