The Food Network has brought some of the industry's biggest names to the world's attention. From leading pastry chefs and classical masters to creative wizards in contemporary cooking, these stars are famous for making a lasting impact on food and what we eat.
However, with the acclaim of fame and time spent in the limelight comes a glaring focus on everything you do. Each celeb on this list has managed to become involved in some form of controversy over the years. Trust us; you'll want to read more as you learn about these mind-blowing details behind some of your fave Food Network stars!
Bobby Flay - The Iron Chef Settles Compensation Lawsuit
The Iron Chef Bobby Flay is no stranger to controversy, but in 2009, E! News reports that the Food Network star got sued. Staff working at his Manhattan restaurants claimed that they were cheated out of earnings, overtime, and tips. Bobby denied any such allegations but did offer a settlement.
The disgruntled workers complained that they weren't paid back for mandatory uniforms, and minimum earnings weren't met. A year after the lawsuit, Bobby paid a settlement of $800,000, according to Mashed. Despite the incident, Bobby's restaurants are still going strong. In Las Vegas, the Mesa Grill remains a favorite of foodies and critics alike despite eateries like Bar American closing.
Ree Drummond - Insensitive Prank And Remarks
The Pioneer Woman Ree Drummond is one of Food Network’s most endearing stars, but in 2017, she came under fire for a controversial joke. Ree presented a plate of spicy Asian chicken wings to her family. With the skit clearly not thought through, they glare a look of disgust and disappointment while asking where the real wings are.
Ree responded by, “I’m just kidding, guys! I wouldn’t do that to you!” and ripping out a plate of American buffalo wings instead. She apologized for the prank, and the episode also got taken out of rotation, according to the Eater. Ree and Ladd Drummond celebrated their 24th anniversary in 2020.
Gordon Ramsay - Offensive Remarks At Food Expo
Seven Michelin star celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay is famous for his fiery temper and frequent verbal battery, but in 2009, he took things over the top. The Kitchen Nightmares star spoke at the Melbourne Good Food and Wine Show a day after having an interview with Australian journalist Tracy Grimshaw.
Ramsay held up an obscene picture of a pig's face digitally edited onto a naked woman on her hands and knees while proclaiming, "That's Tracy Grimshaw. I had an interview with her yesterday, holy crap. She needs to see Simon Cowell's Botox doctor." Tracy was outraged, and Australia's Prime Minister even reprimanded Ramsay.
Paula Deen - Delaying Type 2 Diabetes Announcement
Paula Deen's Southern cuisine is famous for being some of the most delicious but indulgent food around. The host of Paula's Home Cooking shocked the world when she opened up about her Type 2 diabetes diagnosis in 2012. Business Insider reports that she had stayed silent about the news for three years, though.
The news led many fans to criticize her choice, with many feeling that she should be promoting a healthy lifestyle following the diagnosis. To make things worse, Paula and her sons joined the diabetes pharmaceuticals company Novo Nordisk as spokespeople shortly after the announcement, which critics found fishy. Paula is doing well and still loves butter.
Alton Brown - Public Criticism Of Food Network Co-Star
Alton Brown appeared to lash out at the late Anthony Bourdain during an interview with Vanity Fair. Brown got triggered after Bourdain made a comment during his Closer to the Bone Tour in 2015, saying how Ina Garten is one of the few people on the Food Network who can cook.
The Cutthroat Kitchen star stated how long he had been hosting food shows on TV and then asked, "When was the last time you saw Anthony Bourdain actually cook anything?" It wasn't long before Bourdain responded on Twitter, saying that he has no problem with Brown. In June 2018, the star of Parts Unknown passed away.
Jamie Oliver - Making Hypocritical Suggestions On TV
The Naked Chef was called a hypocrite in 2008, raising much controversy. Jamie Oliver lashed out publically proclaiming that people should stop supporting the consumption of chickens and eggs farmed in "morally wrong conditions." Simultaneously, Jamie was a brand ambassador for the British supermarket giant Sainsbury who had no plans to change where they sourced their chickens.
That was until Jamie's alleged hypocrisy was called out, or at least so he hopes. Shortly after the incident, under looming pressure from animal rights groups, Sainsburg changed its policies. In 2015, Jamie Oliver's website was happy to report that M&S, Waitrose, and Sainsbury's all refuse to sell caged eggs.
Robert Irvine - Fabricated Career References
Before chef Robert Irvine had sealed his place as one of America’s favorite chefs and a staple of Food Network entertainment, he almost lost it all. He proclaimed to have worked on Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s wedding cake, but the illustrious culinary credit was a fabrication.
The New York Times reported that Michael Symon replaced him after his falsities got found. But after being sidelined for a year, Robert returned, and he has been with us ever since. Fans can’t wait for Restaurant Impossible: Back in Business to air in 2020, bringing all-new episodes of his hit failing restaurant fix-up show.
Graham Elliot - Alleged Tip Pooling
His Elliot's Chicago restaurant employees sued former Iron Chef contestant, judge, and author Graham Elliot for lost wages and tip pooling in March 2012. According to Small Business Support, the MasterChef settled the dispute for an undisclosed amount in September.
The lawsuit was brought forward by 14 former servers who claimed they were forced to share tips with staff who were not servers like cooks, bartenders, bussers, and food runners. The three-time James Beard Award-nominee mentioned on Instagram in 2020 that he's working on a memoir. We can't wait to see what he comes up with.
Anne Burrell - Accused Of Defaming Co-Workers
Worst Cookings in America co-host Anne Burrell started her career as a sous chef to Iron Chef Mario Batali. Today, Burrell is one of the most recognizable stars on the Food Network. However, years ago, she found herself at the center of attention after being accused of derogatory remarks towards staff.
According to Grub Street, a discrimination lawsuit was filed in March 2009, accusing her of verbally harassing her employees at Centra Vinoteca. Burrel was working at the West Village Italian eatery at the time. According to the lawsuit filed, she remarked about the personal lives and physical appearances of staff. There's never been any official comment about the incident.
Ina Garten - Allegedly Refusing The Make-A-Wish Foundation
Ina Garten, the Barefoot Contessa, shocked fans when she allegedly turned down the Make-A-Wish Foundation. She refused the foundation twice, according to Business Insider. ABC News reports that 6-year-old cancer patient Enzo Pereda wished to visit Ina on her show's set. But after being turned down twice due to scheduling conflicts, he eventually turned her down.
The little boy who has acute lymphoblastic leukemia later got invited to visit Ina, but Enzo had made a new wish, according to TMZ. He decided to learn to swim with dolphins instead. Nothing has slowed the chef's career down. In October 2020, Ina published Modern Comfort Food: A Barefoot Contessa Cookbook.
Geoffrey Zakarian - Alleged Incomplete Compensation
Armenian-American restauranteur Geoffrey Zakarian is famous for judging Chopped. The Iron Chef celeb filed for bankruptcy after closing down his restaurant Country in 2008 and later being sued. Eater New York reports that former employees demanded $1 million in damages and a further $250,000 in penalties.
Apparently, 150 employees were involved in the lawsuit claiming withheld overtime pay and unrightfully docked wages. His bankruptcy suit in 2011 cited liabilities of over $1 million with under $50,000 in assets and immediately ended the matter after he didn't have funds to reimburse creditors. In 2020, chef Zakarian and his daughters Anna and Madeline launched a new cookbook, The Family that Cooks Together.
Anthony Bourdain - Offended Fellow Food Network Stars With A Comment
The late Anthony Bourdain built a reputation for being one of the most direct chefs on the Food Network. He was also one of the most respected professionals in the business. However, Bourdain upset a host of fellow network stars when he stated during the Closer to the Bone Tour in 2015 that Ina Garten is one of the only Food Network stars who can cook.
Alton Brown specifically seemed to take offense, asking Vanity Fair during an interview about when they've last seen Bourdain actually cook anything. The late Parts Unknown star shared on Twitter that he didn't have a problem with Alton at all.
Giada De Laurentiis - Rumored Involvement With Bobby Flay
Gracie Award-winning host Giada De Laurentiis and Bobby Flay got the world gossiping in 2015. Bobby had broken up with Stephanie March after being married for ten years. The Everyday Italian star divorced from Todd Thompson. The timing seemed too coincidental, and tabloids at the time ran amok with rumors suggesting their involvement.
Giada put all rumors to rest when she was interviewed by Andy Cohen on Bravo, clearly stating that they were nothing but friends after working together for years. In 2020, Giada Entertains took the Emmy Award for Outstanding Culinary series. Giada is currently dating talk show producer Shane Farley, according to Mashed.
Guy Fieri - Misconduct, Micromanagement
Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives star Guy Fieri got slandered by the show's executive producer David Page in 2011. City Pages did a feature on David discussing Fieri and the show. In the discourse, the Guy's Grocery Games star is described as a diamond in the rough who needed protection against getting himself while recording popular television.
From risque references to wandering eyes, homophobic tendencies, and inappropriate statements and commentary, Page proclaims that Fieri was very difficult to manage. He also said that he was overly controlling onset. In August 2011, The Food Network let David Page go.
Mario Batali - Allegedly Shaving Tips
Restauranteur and Iron Chef Mario Batali settled a whopping $5.25 million lawsuit in 2010 after being accused of shaving tips in 2010. Employees at Babbo claimed that they were being paid the wrong minimum wage on purpose. Wine sales to the value of 4.5% were being taken from the total tip pool, thus dropping the earnings of employees at Babbo, Manhattan.
The settlement fund became available between 2004 and 2012. However, Batali got investigated again in 2017, but this time for violating a Babbo staff. According to NBC New York, he denied the allegations of assault, raising much controversy. He was since cleared of two charges in January 2020.
Cat Cora - Minor Car Accident While Driving Under The Influence
Former Iron Chef Cat Cora nearly ended up in a cell after drinking and driving in 2012. According to the Santa Barbara Independent, the celebrity chef admitted her guilt and avoided jail time after crashing into a 2001 BMW 325i while returning home from Cold Spring Tavern in Santa Barbara.
Cora reportedly fought with her partner and drove drunk. She then bumped into the BMW while intoxicated. It's a good thing that no one got hurt! Today, Cat's career is going strong. In 2020, Cat partnered with Home Bistro, Inc. to create an exclusive line of gourmet meals. Her Southern and Mediterranean heritage had inspired all the ready-made meals.
Rachael Ray - Alleged Toxic Herbicide In Natural Dog Food
Most of us know how passionate Rachael Ray is about animals and food. However, in 2018, her morals came under question after a harmful chemical was found in dog food that her brand Nutrish manufactured. There were claims that Nutrish used a herbicide called glyphosate. It is moderately toxic and known to cause eye irritation, according to Cornell University.
The $5-million lawsuit against Ainsworth Pet Nutrition, Rachael Ray's company, was later dismissed. But with the natural claims ringing true, Rachael's brand already got tainted. In 2018, Rachel Ray Nutrish and Ainsworth Pet Nutrition got acquired by the JM Smucker Company.
Marcela Valladolid - Having An Affair With A Co-Worker
Mexican Made Easy host Marcela Valladolid and Paul Hollywood joined The American Baking Championship in 2013 while married to other people. It didn't take long for rumors to erupt as more and more pictures of them seen together arose. All the gossip got confirmed in no time, and both parties ended up divorcing their respective partners.
Metro would later report that Paul owned up to his affair, confirming his relations with Marcela while still in love with his wife. Marcela, on the other hand, is now a children's cookbook writer. According to Business Wire, she recently partnered with Latina publishing firm Lil Libros to create a yet-to-be-named bilingual children's cookbook.
The Neelys - Pretending To Be A Happy Couple
Pat and Gina Neely shocked fans by announcing that they were separating in 2014. Gina told People magazine that the relationship seen on screen was not healthy or happy. According to her interview, the pair recorded the show and ran restaurants together, pretending to be in love although Gina wanted out for years.
Down Home with the Neelys ran for 11 seasons. However, Gina wanted to split up before the show even started. After the divorce, they didn't co-parent, and People reports that they're not on speaking terms. Gina still provides insight and commentary concerning food and wellness. She featured a virtual event for Essence Wellness House in 2020.
Nigella Lawson - Using An Illicit Substance
Food writer and beloved cooking celeb Nigella Lawson made a shocking confession that she's since shaken off her reputation. Truthfully, it didn't even seem to stick, given her popularity amongst fans. Nigella admitted to using cocaine twice after testifying at Isleworth Crown Court in London in 2013.
She was speaking in connection to a fraud case that was posed against her former assistants Elisabetta and Francesca Grillo, who allegedly racked up charges of $700,000, according to You Magazine. Nigella admitted that she used cocaine twice on two isolated incidences and dismissed any habitual use claims strongly. The Grillo sisters were later found not guilty, as per The Guardian.
Sandra Lee - Kwanzaa Cake Gone Wrong
Semi-Homemade cooking creator Sandra Lee may have created some of the industry's catchiest trends, but this doesn't mean she's always got things perfect. Her Kwanzaa cake is one of those times that it didn't quite work out, to hilarious effect.
The late Anthony Bourdain called it a war crime on television but what we got to see was a chocolate cinnamon frosted angel cake willed with apple pie. Even stranger is the corn nuts that get sprinkled on top of it. One or two mistakes don't break a career, though. The New York Post reported that Sandra recently sold her Northern Westchester home for $1.85 million in 2020.
Josh Adam Garcia - Falsified Tour In Afghanistan
Josh Adam Garcia is perhaps better known as The Food Network's Chef Jag. The winner of The Next Food Network Star Season 3 is another chef who fabricated a few of his references. Garcia claimed that he served in Afghanistan with the Marine Corps while appearing on the show.
The Army Times noticed his falsified qualification, reporting that he wasn't deployed to a war zone or was in the infantry for two years. Instead, he got asked to leave the army eight months early as a private after enlisting in the Marines in August 1999. Reasons couldn't be cited due to privacy laws in place by the US military.
Rocco DiSpirito - Estate Battle With His Siblings
The Restaurant star Rocco DiSpirito is famous for several roles and achievements. He boasts a successful career, from appearing on Dancing With The Stars to hosting the reality show Rocco's Dinner Party. It's why fans found it strange that he ended up in a heated estate battle after his mother passed.
DiSpirito was left half of his mom's estate, and the rest was set to be split between his other two siblings. But due to taking care of his mom more so during her frail years, he demanded a more significant share. He recently left his job as a chef at Standard Grill in New York City last October 2019.
Action Bronson - Offensive Caption On Instagram
Out of the number of times Action Bronson's caused controversy, the most serious has to be in 2012 when he posted racial slurs as a caption. Bronson posted a shot of someone doused in water while captioning it with words that were grossly inappropriate to the gay community while also being racially offensive, according to Pitchfork.
Branson didn't apologize but did delete his Instagram account shortly after. His music career is still ongoing, with its popularity continuing to grow. In 2019, he toured with Meyhem Lauren and Roc Marciano, while in August 2020, he released his new album's title, Only for Dolphins.
Michael Chiarello - Alleged Misconduct, Harassment & Labor Law Violations
Californian-Italian celebrity chef Michael Chiarello may be one of the best in the business, but he has a spotted career at best. In 2009, co-workers accused him of inappropriate advances, but the case soon got settled. In 2016, another claim of misconduct arose after Gruppo Chiarello got hit with a lawsuit from Katherine Page and Asja Sever, as per Eater San Francisco.
The case detailed several situations where Chiarello and his executive chef at Coqueta, Dominick Maietta, created an alleged indecently charged hostile and abusive environment. The suit was also reportedly settled as the former The Next Iron Chef contestant denied all allegations.
Joe Bastianich - Racial Slur While Filming MasterChef Italia
MasterChef and business partner to Mario Batali, Joe Bastianich, has had some rather harsh news surrounding him over the years. Eater New York reports that staff at the B&B Hospitality Group restaurants claim that Joe and Mario created a "boys' club environment." Staffers say that there are ongoing misconducts and problems with employees who degrade staff with inappropriate language or touching.
Joe made another offense in 2018 after making a comment that stereotypes Chinese men in a recent episode of MasterChef Italia. His reference alluded to them being inadequate in intimate situations due to their physical make-up, an apparent racial slur that the show should have avoided.
Kerry Vincent - Battles A Mean Persona/Celebrity Image
Kerry Vincent, an acclaimed cake designer and co-founder of the former Oklahoma Sugar Art Show, appears to have an ongoing war with a mean image. As per The Daily Telegraph, Kerry insists that she's as sweet as her cakes. Instead of seeing her critique as scathing, she views it as constructive. After all, if you're evaluating a $10,000 cake as one of the world's foremost experts, you'd better be honest.
Kelly's Sugar Arts Show sadly came to a close after 25 years in 2018. The last time we saw her on TV was also incidentally in 2018 when she featured in the Holiday Gingerbread Showdown.
Martha Stewart - Hasty, Quick Tempered And Not Kid-Friendly
Martha Stewart is one of the most popular television personalities in the cooking industry. The acclaimed businesswoman/writer/culinary expert is adored by fans, coming across as one of the kindest celebs around. However, her daughter Alexis details a tough childhood. Her book titled Whateverland: Learning to Live Here tells of a very busy Martha who never had time to be kid-friendly.
In her professional life, Martha is known to have a hot temper. Forbes reports that M. Diddy, as she was known behind bars, is quite a control freak on set. In 2020, her 97th book called Martha Stewart's Cake Perfection was published.
Emeril Lagasse - Allegedly Hot Tempered
There are few celebrity chefs as instrumental to the Food Network's success as Emeril Lagasse. He made the catchphrase Bam! famous, and apparently, he's just as fiery as his Cajun cuisine. The master of New Orleans style cooking reputedly has a mean streak, according to MeanStars.com.
From time to time, Emeril has bashed cameras out of his way, sending them flying. He may not be on television anymore, but his eleven restaurants are still running. According to Eater Vegas, in 2020, he had to let 136 employees go between Delmonico Steakhouse and Emeril's New Orleans Fish House.
Christy Tania - Infamous Mean Streak
MasterChef Australia judge Christy Tania likes things a certain way and isn't afraid to say so. In the process, she's been known to come across as a little rude. As we've all seen on the show, the only standard that Christy accepts is perfection. On the number of times that we've seen her receive less than the best, she quickly belittles her contestants.
The owner/executive head pastry chef of GLACÉ Dessert Artisanal and her business endeavors are booming. She started rolling out ice-cream and gelato across Melbourne in October 2020. This comes following the opening of her second cafe at the Emporium Melbourne in April.