The 10 Hottest Women in the Food Industry

by John Devore, Posted Jan 29th 2010 @ 6:00PM

Getty Images

There is just something sexy about a woman who takes big, reckless, greedy bites out of life; a woman who isn't afraid of fire, or knives, or licking her fingers. And all ten of these female chefs, food critics, bloggers, and television personalities fit these criteria. They are all leaders in their field, accomplished professionals who also happen to be fantastically attractive. Each of these women vibrates with passion, style, and authority. And we love them for it.

The one name that is not on this list is Julia Child's, that peerless pioneer of television cooking who inspired entire generations of Americans to become homegrown gourmets. Her joyful sensuality was part of her allure: she set the mold for every woman on this list. We chose not to include her because sometimes genius stands apart. Julia Child's is sexy, just re-watch the way the woman eats a pastry, breaks down a chicken, or kneads a mound of dough.

And now, the heiresses to her throne ... these goddesses are so hot, they practically sizzle.

Getty Images

10. Paula Deen

Butter booster Dean is the Emmy-award winning host of "Paula's Party" for The Food Network and a restaurateur who co-owns Savannah's The Lady & Sons with her sons. This sexy, silver fox has a devilish twinkle in her eye, a saucy laugh, and a lust for life.

Getty Images

9. Katie Lee Joel

This critic and chef hosted the first season of Bravo's Top Chef and wrote the book The Comfort Table. She has a girl-next-door wink, and is a dedicated epicurean. A delicious combination.

Food Network

8. Sunny Anderson

A former catering company owner, she hosts How'd That Get On My Plate and Cooking For Real for The Food Network and in each one, she glows. Her enthusiasm is infectious, as is her honey-sweet smile.

Getty Images

7. Gail Simmons

An adorably serious judge on Bravo's Top Chef, she's a critic and editor for Food & Wine Magazine and is super hot because of her expertise, unpretentiousness, and grace.

Steamy Kitchen

6. Jaden Hair

She's a sexy food author and blogger who writes about global cuisine with passion and attitude. Check out her blog Steamy Kitchen or her book The Steamy Kitchen Cookbook.

Bravo

5. Jennifer Carrol

She didn't win the recent Top Chef, but she won many hearts. This chef means business in the kitchen, just ask her mentor, world-renown chef Eric Ripert. The more she sweats, hair pulled back, the sexier she gets.

4. Nigella Lawson

Cheekily referred to as "The Queen of Food Porn" by the British press, this best-selling food writer, critic and broadcast personality has is one sassy vixen: she knows what she's talking about when it comes to food, and we're listening. And watching.

Getty Images

3. Cat Cora

She's an Iron Chef, a formidable cooking warrior. She's also a blonde bombshell, not to mention executive chef of Bon Apetit Magazine and a UNICEF spokesperson. Phew.

Getty Images

2. Giada De Laurentiis

She's a the Food Network favorite, having hosted five cooking shows including Everyday Italian. And with good reason: she's fun, good-humored and stunning.

Getty Images

1. Padma Lakshmi

Calm, collected, and poised, the host of Bravo's Top Chef is possibly the hottest woman on television, period. Her regality is balanced by a hidden sense of humor, and both are complimented by her monster appetite.

Do you agree with our list? Let us know in the comments.

Related: The 10 Hottest Men in the Food Industry, Top 99 Most Desirable Women

Filed Under: Celebrities, Chefs
Tags: giada de laurentiis, hottest women in food, padma lakshmi, top chef, women in food

Chew on This

Royal Wedding Cake Details Revealed! - YumSugar

Make Your Own Pop Tarts - CHOW
Denny's Introduces a Maple Bacon Sundae - Eater
Whole Foods Opening Bars in Stores - USA Today
Rules Of Bar Etiquette -- For The Bartender - HuffPost Food

Reader comments (Page 2 of 12)

1-30-2010 @12:50PM B.een Reel said... Wow. Talk about a step into the past by 40 years. Talk of who's sexy and not accomplished should draw Gloria Steinhem out of her bat cave. It's because of this barbarian ideal that one has to be "cute", "foxy" and "sexy" to be on camera that forces us to see Giada's ta-taaas in every shot, or listen to Pauler Deen crack off colored jokes.

And I agree with Julie of Noshtalgia above, these are not anyone I can relate to or aspire to cook like (OK, maybe with the exception of Nigella). Knowledge, ability and passion don't always translate to a high TVQ.
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

1-30-2010 @2:40PM DanGarion said... Heavens no! How dare they say someone is attractive! The world is going to end because of it! Sorry but, Man or Woman there will always be lists on what people look like and I don't see anything wrong with that.

Vote upVote downReport

1-30-2010 @1:15PM digshot said... What is our obsession with lists? This list doesn't even warrant publication. Models and actresses are "hot", TV food personalities are not except for Padma Lakshmi who is a (duh!) model/actress.
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

2-01-2010 @2:08AM Robin said... I would think there are some hot people in every profession...

Vote upVote downReport

1-31-2010 @2:37AM Bbq Dude said... Paula Deen? Are you on crack?
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

2-02-2010 @1:47AM Judie Elaine said... I am "OLDER" I don't see Paula as being sexy. She's one that should not be on the list. Neither should her sons.

Vote upVote downReport

2-02-2010 @6:23PM Concerned said... Everyone has a right to his/her own opinion, no matter how typical and sad. Paula Deen has a lovely face, a fresh perspective on clothes for women of a certain age, a great personality, and is rescuing older women from their grandmothers' hairstyles. She's not slim, she's not young, and she doesn't pretend that she's led a pain-free life of wealth. She is a new "Great American Story."

Some of these attitudes are the very reason most women in this country can't find clothes that fit, or that they would be seen wearing--outside a nursing home, that is. And, let's not forget the youngsters who are starving themselves, drugging up, and slicing their own flesh because they just can't seem to measure up. Congratulations, for buying into the Ralph Lauren ads folks!

You can be too rich, too thin, and too short-sighted. For those of you who aren't fit enough to strike a Padma Lasksmi pose, or be one of the A-listers you seem to worship, good luck with the whole I-ashamed- to-go-outside-ever thing. But, thank God for the internet, right. Think I'll go outside and enjoy my world now. Peace!!!

Vote upVote downReport

2-02-2010 @3:47PM Baby said... Please tell me you didn't say crack!! That is so over the top mean. Paula Deen is a great cook and has worked her self to the top without the plasic barbie doll looks. I love Paula and she can come off a little to much, But that's who she really is, and she is a sexy silver hair hot MaMa. Look, if you don't care for her fine, just don't watch her, but don't be hating on Paula because she can cook it, bake it and serve it up looking like the diva she. So stop all your hating Dude, chit you could stand a chance with her...that's where all that hate is coming from huh...lol bet we all know what you use your butter for...lol!..Thats for my girl Paula.

Vote upVote downReport

1-31-2010 @2:23AM hobcat said... wa-a-a-y sucks! Padma, Giada and Cat are the queens of SNARK-- Gail comes across as snotty. Paula I can have because she made her way up and made no bones about it-- brought her boys up with her, too. Not very familiar with Jaden; Nigella should be on this list as well as Ina-- really people-- Julia ought to be the no.1 name here. Get a grip.
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

1-31-2010 @9:11AM Alex said... Paula Deen? You can't be serious.
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

1-31-2010 @7:25PM Jill said... Padma is pretty, but what does she know about cooking? She eats on TV, big deal! I've yet to see her make anything. She certainly doesn't belong on the list.
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

1-31-2010 @8:22PM G.Blank said... Where is the Barefoot Contessa?
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

2-02-2010 @3:19PM louisa said... I know. I think Ina Garten is way sexier than Paula Deen. I think Nigella Lawson was inspired by photography in The Barefoot Contessa. Ina does it right!

Vote upVote downReport

2-02-2010 @3:28PM Gary said... Evidently "hottest" has nothing much to do with food knowledge but rather how well you photograph with a spatula in hand. There are a few here, like Giada, who are true culinary experts and not just a network personality. Then there are those who have found fame being a bitchy restaurant patron while eating on someone else's nickel. At least they did not include Rachael Ray; someone who has an amazing number of cookbooks for someone who can't cook, can't bake, and most likely couldn't formulate a recipe if her life depended on it.

Vote upVote downReport

1-31-2010 @11:41PM jgodsey said... how is Padma Lakshmi in the food industry? she's a tv host..she could just as easily be turning letters on wheel of Effing fortune.
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

2-02-2010 @4:03AM Oscar said... I am from China, and I also manage a food website, maybe we can make friends and change our website liks.
if you like, pls make a comment on my website: http://www.chinesefoodfans.com/
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

2-01-2010 @8:09AM jcurtis said... Someone really phoned it in on this one. Throw this one in the trashheap and start over. What a horrible job.
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

2-01-2010 @11:25AM linda grosella said... sexy is not just for people in their 20's.
Paula is very sexy to many older people.
Why do young people think only their ideas and opinions are valid.
People do have sex over 25.....
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

2-01-2010 @10:16AM m2rdj said... Paula Dean? Really?? What about Rachael Ray? Hello.....
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

2-01-2010 @1:29PM Al said... I cant believe rachel ray isnt way up on this one besides she has gotten a bit too "hippy" for me shes still hot just could lose a few lbs