Ok this hub is part 2 of my top ten celebrity chefs - so if you haven't read part 1- read it first.

6.  Nigel Slater

Nigel Slater (born 1958) is the author of several cookery books and an autobiography.  His latest book, 'Tender' is being released now in two parts.

Ah what a lovely man Nigel does seem to be!  He is so understated.  Such an un-celebrity celebrity - if you get my meaning.  As he says “There is something quietly civilizing about sharing a meal with other people. The simple act of making someone something to eat, even a bowl of soup or a loaf of bread, has a many-layered meaning. It suggests an act of protection and caring, of generosity and intimacy. It is in itself a sign of respect.”  I think out of my top ten celebrity chefs Nigel Slater is perhaps the most interesting.  He first became known to the public as a food writer,  writing for Marie Claire and then writing a column for the Observer magazine.  But he reached a wider audience with the publication of his autobiography, 'Toast' - a moving(and award winning) account of his childhood and his love of food.

His style of cooking is definitely simple comfort food.  He is not a trained chef.  His first TV series was 'Nigel Slater's Real Food Show' in 1998.  His latest series 'Simple Suppers' has just started showing on BBC1 in the U.K.  I am hoping I will get the chance to view it in my part of the world.  Nigel is also a keen gardener and has turned his small London garden into a productive vegetable garden which I believe he is filming from in his new series.

I use his book 'Real Cooking' from time to time.  It is filled with hearty flavorsome recipes that even a fool can follow.

My favorite Nigel Slater quote is - "Well let's face it, who on earth besides antique dealers and gay couples actually still give dinner parties?" 

7.  Phillippa Cheifitz

I don't think Phillippa Cheifitz is too well known internationally but hopefully I can introduce her to someone else out there who would love her books as much as I do.  She is a South African food writer who has been the editor of the food pages of The Argus newspaper in Cape Town and Cosmopolitan magazine. She is currently the food editor of House and Leisure and Femina magazines.  She has published 8 books - several of which are in my collection.  And what fabulous books they are!

Phillippa abandoned a career in psychology to follow her passion for food.  Her books are all about quality, delicious, everyday meals.  She says, "Eating well is not about standing in the kitchen all the time, it is about shopping well".  I love this approach.  Phillippa has won several awards for her books including Gourmand World Cookbook Award in 2002.  One of her books, 'Seasons' gives delightful menu suggestions for all the seasons.  And her book, 'Cape Town Food' includes beautiful photographs of the Cape as well as the delicious food.  Enough to get you booking a flight there.  Phillippa says that this book was inspired by Bill Granger's 'Sydney Food'.

8.  Neil Perry

Neil Perry (born 1957) is another fabulous Australian chef, restauranteur, author and TV presenter.  His company, Rockpool Catering works with Quantas on a consultative basis.  The aim was for Neil to create a more modern in-flight dining experience.

Neil started out as an apprentice hairdresser before deciding it was not the career for him and getting a job as a waiter.  From there he gravitated towards the kitchen and realised his passion for food. In October 1986, Neil opened the 'Blue Water Grill' at Bondi Beach in Sydney which became an overnight success. He then opened 'Rockpool' in February 1989 with his business partner and cousin Trish Richards.  'Rockpool' has become an iconic Sydney fine dining experience.  Neil has since opened a 'Rockpool Bar and Grill' in Melbourne which has also been a huge success.

Neil is also a notable TV food personality within Australia, appearing on various shows. He has also recently starred on Martha Stewart's shows.  My favorite has been 'Rockpool Sessions' from 2004.  This seven part half hour series follows Neil at his restaurant but also features some other great chefs - Karen Martini and the renowned Tetsuya Wakuda amongst others.

Neil has such an easy going personality but pays incredible attention to detail.  It is a joy to watch him.

9.  Anthony Bourdain

Anthony Bourdain, an American chef and author, was born in 1956 in New York City but grew up in New Jersey.  He has French ancestors and says his love of food was kindled whilst on holiday in France as a child.  He ate fresh oysters on a fisherman's boat and from then on he could not get enough interesting food experiences.  

Anthony or Tony as he is known first shot to fame with the publication of his book "Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly".  This book which I read when it first came out made me roll around with laughter.  I spent many years working in the restaurant industry myself and found his observations to be both funny and true.  Others agree with me as the book was a New York Times bestseller.  It is described as a witty expose and memoir.  Tony has gone on to publish two other New York Times bestsellers - 'A Cook's Tour' and 'The Nasty Bits', as well as several other books and numerous essays and articles.

Following on from the success of 'Kitchen Confidential', Tony went on to make 'A Cook's Tour' and 'Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations' for TV.  I really enjoy watching him.  He is absolutely up for eating anything and everything.  He says that the most disgusting thing he has ever eaten is a chicken McNugget.  But he has happily munched his way through seal eyeball, sheep testicles, warthog rectum, whole cobra and other similar dishes.  There is a sense of humor there which I like!  But he is also a champion for eating the parts of an animal that we affluent Westerners don't like to consider.

Tony says what he thinks, he is not afraid of offending people but is quick to acknowledge the many Latino immigrants who make up the majority of the cooks and chefs in the U.S.  He considers them to be talented chefs who are underpaid and unrecognised.

I love his irreverent approach and his books are definitely worth a read.

10.  Karen Martini 

This number ten was very hard as I find there are a few other celebrity chefs that I would have liked to include but I have decided to go with Karen Martini because she is my latest favorite.  Also she is not so well known outside Australia and I think she deserves a little exposure!  She is also on the way up I believe.

Karen Martini was born in 1974 and started cooking at the young age of 15.  She worked in various Melbourne restaurants before becoming Executive Chef at the Melbourne Wine Room.  After a stint in Sydney she returned to Melbourne and opened Mr Wolf - a very chic pizzeria in the trendy Melbourne suburb of St Kilda.

Karen is also food editor of Australian - Sunday Life magazine and food presenter on the TV show 'Better Homes and Gardens'.  She describes her food as "an expression of my heritage, a product of my curiosity and the result of my hunger".  Her first book, 'Where the Heart Is', was published by Penguin in 2006 and her second book,'Karen Martini Cooking at Home' , by Penguin in 2008.  'Cooking at Home' was inspired by Karen's experience of having a family and suddenly having to produce home cooked meals every night.  As the inside sleeve says,  "Karen loves cooking traditional food - be it Mediterranean, Middle Eastern or comforting English baking - but adds something extra to make it look and taste special: kibbeh, normally made with lamb, is a revelation when ocean trout is used instead; a dollop of smoky eggplant completely transforms a piece of chargrilled tuna; and a classic cheesecake becomes an elegant dessert when paired with a spoonful of wine-soaked berries".  

Both books are filled with great recipes and won't disappoint.

So that's my current top ten celebrity chef list.  And yes - I have left out Gordon Ramsay!  Perhaps the subject of a hub in his own right!