Anthony Bourdain

Anthony Bourdain would cringe and grouse at the sobriquet, but "rock-star chef" is probably the most succinct way to sum up the No Reservations host. His long-running Travel Channel show prides itself on hitting unexpected locations all around the world—from Maine to Romania—in search of any and all food that's off the beaten path. Bourdain stays away from touristy shitholes and kid-friendly fare, opting instead to gnaw on cobra in Vietnam or unwashed warthog rectum in Namibia. That same bold fearlessness carries through in his moonlighting career as an author, which infamously spawned 2000's Kitchen Confidential, a damning tell-all on the restaurant industry. Ten years later, Bourdain is out with the new Medium Raw, which is more of a mash note to kitchen workers everywhere.

Updated 06/07/2010