What Food Network Stars Looked Like When They Launched Their First Show
Like fine wines, some chefs get better with age.
1. Emeril Lagasse
Left: A younger and not-really-that-famous Emeril Lagasse on a 1994 episode of The Essence of Emeril.
Right: An older and very famous Emeril Lagasse at this year’s New York City Wine & Food Festival. BAM! Time flies.
2. Nigella Lawson
Left: The incomparable Nigella Lawson in the very first episode of her show, Nigella Bites, which first aired in the United Kingdom in 2000.
Right: The Taste judge Nigella Lawson at a press night performance of “Fatal Attraction” on London’s West End earlier this year.
3. Paula Deen
Left: Hey y’all, it’s Paula Deen on an early episode of Paula’s Home Cooking in 2003.
Right: Hey y’all, it’s Paula Deen at the 2014 New York City Wine & Food Festival, one lawsuit later.
4. Jamie Oliver
Left: A 24-year-old Jamie Oliver in 1999 making bacon sandwiches, living in London, and talking about his band on The Naked Chef.
Right: A 39-year-old Jamie Oliver at this year’s Food Revolution Day, part of his initiative to teach kids about the importance of cooking.
5. Giada De Laurentiis
Left: Giada De Laurentiis on her first episode of Everyday Italian in 2003, juuust before every man in America became wildly obsessed with Italian cooking shows.
Right: Giada De Laurentiis at a Stand Up To Cancer event in Los Angeles this year, still looking like a bona fide goddess.
6. Bobby Flay
Left: Bobby Flay being the broiest Food Network star on a 1996 show that was literally called Grillin’ & Chillin.
Right: Bobby Flay still being the broiest Food Network star at a 2014 radio interview with Elvis Duran.
7. Alton Brown
Left: Alton Brown educating Americans on the science of cooking in the first season of Good Eats, which first aired on Food Network in 1999.
Right: Alton Brown at a 2014 screening of “Divergent” in Atlanta, Georgia.
8. Rachael Ray
Left: Rachael Ray in 2002, on an early episode of her hit show, 30 Minute Meals.
Right: Rachel Ray at the 2014 New York City Wine & Food Festival. To achieve Rachael Ray’s eternally youthful glow, apply EVOO directly to the skin.
9. Masaharu Morimoto
Left: Masaharu Morimoto in 1998, about to school all lesser chefs on the best cooking show of all time, the original Iron Chef. This was a time when Americans voluntarily watched a show with subtitles because it was just that crazy.
Right: Masaharu Morimoto in 2014, attending an event for Autism Speaks.
10. Ina Garten
Left: The queen at the beginning of her reign in 2004, a woman who uses only the best mayonnaise, knows how to rock a cashmere scarf in the front seat of her convertible, and is a GOOD friend to all rich gays. She is THE Barefoot Contessa.
Right: Ina Garten looking flawless at the 40th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards. Endless class, style, and grace – how easy is that?!
11. Mario Batali
Left: The king of Crocs, Mario Batali, on a 2000 episode of Molto Mario.
Right: The king of Crocs, fleece vests, and plaid shorts, Mario Batali, at the New York City Wine & Food Festival in 2014.
12. Sara Moulton
Left: Sara Moulton on a very special 1997 episode of her show, Cooking Live, in which she cooked alongside the great Julia Child.
Right: Sara Moulton at Food Network’s 20th Birthday Event last year, still rocking those bangs.
13. Tyler Florence
Left: Tyler Florence making jam-filled doughnuts on a 2001 episode of Food 911.
Right: Tyler Florence at the 2014 New York City Wine & Food Festival.
14. Anthony Bourdain
Left: Culinary badass Anthony Bourdain on the first episode of his Food Network show, A Cook’s Tour, which first aired in 2002.
Right: Culinary badass Anthony Bourdain at the 2014 DC Central Kitchen’s Capital Food Fight.
