There is no higher achievement in the culinary world than earning a prized Michelin star. Many chefs spend their entire careers vying for one, but a select few earn multiple over the course of their lifetimes. Wondering who the most starred chefs are? We listed the top 10 Michelin star chefs throughout the years.
Joël Robuchon
Nicknamed “The Chef of the Century,” Joël Robuchon is by far the most Michelin starred chef in history. He had earned a whopping 31 Michelin stars at the time of his passing in 2018. In addition to his Michelin stars, he was also crowned “Meilleur Ouvrier de France” in 1976, “Chef of the Year” in 1987, and “Cook of the Century” in 1990. Today, his legacy continues at his famed L’Atelier restaurants across the world. Robuchon also mentored famous celebrity chef Gordan Ramsey who also appears in our top ten list. Be sure to learn more about Robuchon in our article here.
Alain Ducasse
French chef Alain Ducasse is second only to Robuchon in Michelin stars. Over his career, he has amassed 21 stars. He is also the first chef to hold three Michelin stars in three cities at the same time. The three Michelin-starred Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester in London is his flagship restaurant. Ducasse is famous for his perfectionism. He personally picks everything in his restaurants down to the flatware and curtain rods. He is definitely a worthy addition to our list of the top 10 Michelin star chefs.
Gordon Ramsay
With 16 Michelin stars, Scottish born Gordon Ramsay is probably the most universally recognized chef on our list. Known just as much for his television personality as his culinary genius, Ramsay recently tied with Beyonce for 34th highest earning celebrity in the world. You can taste his signature dishes at his Restaurant Gordon Ramsay in Chelsea, London which has held three stars since 2001.
Martin Berasategui
With eight Michelin stars, Spanish chef Martin Berasategui is one of the few chefs with two three-starred restaurants at one time. He earned his first Michelin star at age 25 and has since gone on to open numerous starred restaurants throughout Spain. Your taste buds will delight when dining at any of the restaurants of this addition to our list of the top 10 Michelin star chefs.
Thomas Keller
American chef Thomas Keller joins our list with seven stars. Even more impressive is the fact that he has held six of those seven all at one time! His three-star restaurant French Laundry, located in Yountville, California, has twice been named best restaurant in the world.
Yoshihiro Murata
Also on our list of the top 10 Michelin star chefs and holding seven Michelin stars is Japanese chef Yoshihiro Murata. Chef Murata serves up authentic Japanese cuisine with an emphasis on quality sources. His recent restaurant Tokimeite, located in the upscale London neighborhood of Mayfair, sources salmon from Scotland.
Carme Ruscalleda
Carme Ruscalleda also holds seven Michelin stars. This Catalan chef is the only female seven-starred chef in the world. You can taste her traditional cuisine at one of her two restaurants, Sant Pau in Barcelona and Sant Pau de Tòquio in Tokyo.
Heston Blumenthal
Our list of the top 10 Michelin star chefs wouldn’t be complete without British chef Heston Blumenthal who specializes in French cuisine. He opened his first restaurant, The Fat Duck, in Berkshire England in 1995. In 2005, The Fat Duck was named best restaurant in the world, and it is one of only five restaurants in Great Britain to have three Michelin stars.
Anne-Sophie Pic
French chef Anne-Sophie Pic joins our list with five stars. Surprisingly enough, she has no formal culinary training. She launched her career after taking over her family’s restaurant and vaulting it to three stars. She extended her art of French gastronomy with her second restaurant, Restaurant Anne-Sophie Pic.
Seiji Yamamoto
Completing our list of the top 10 Michelin star chefs is Japanese chef Seiji Yamamoto who is famed for his approach to molecular gastronomy. His Tokyo restaurant Ryugin earned him his three Michelin stars and was also a favorite with other geniuses of the culinary world, including Joël Robuchon.
With so many chefs vying for even one star, it’s amazing to see so many Michelin starred chefs that surpass that level of excellence. Be sure to give the restaurants owned by the top 10 Michelin star chefs a try on your next trip. To explore even more culinary facts, read Michelin Star Restaurants in France You Need to Try.
