Food Network / Courtesy Everett; Randall Benton/Sacramento Bee/Tribune News Service via Getty
It’s been 30 years since a delicious television channel called the Food Network hit the airwaves.
In honor of the Food Network’s 30th anniversary, see photos of some of its biggest stars in their early years.
01of 08
Food Network / Courtesy Everett
“I love what I do for a living," he added. “I love that I can inspire people to cook better at home and open their eyes up to what’s available for them to cook and eat in their household.”
02of 08Rachael RayRachael Ray in 2002.Food Network / Courtesy EverettRachael Ray’s star on the Food Network rose quickly after she first appeared at 33 years old in 2001, thanks to relatable shows like30 Minute Meals, Week in a Dayand$40 a Day.“It’s a conversation,“she said of her shows in a 2015 interview. “I think that most genuine television is about sharing. I try to be curious and dedicated and authentic when I go to work.”
02of 08
Rachael Ray
Rachael Ray in 2002.Food Network / Courtesy Everett
Rachael Ray’s star on the Food Network rose quickly after she first appeared at 33 years old in 2001, thanks to relatable shows like30 Minute Meals, Week in a Dayand$40 a Day.
“It’s a conversation,“she said of her shows in a 2015 interview. “I think that most genuine television is about sharing. I try to be curious and dedicated and authentic when I go to work.”
03of 08Giada De LaurentiisGiada De Laurentiis in 2005.Bob Riha Jr/WireImageGiada De Laurentiisannouncedshe’d be leaving Food Network in early 2023, after 21 years as a host on the channel.She hit airwaves in 2002 at 32 years old, launchingEveryday Italianand later,Giada at Home.When sharing the news she’d be moving on from the network, a spokesperson called her “culinary royalty, someone who has taught audiences how to properly pronounce every cut of pasta imaginable for nearly two decades.”
03of 08
Giada De Laurentiis
Giada De Laurentiis in 2005.Bob Riha Jr/WireImage
Bob Riha Jr/WireImage
Giada De Laurentiisannouncedshe’d be leaving Food Network in early 2023, after 21 years as a host on the channel.
She hit airwaves in 2002 at 32 years old, launchingEveryday Italianand later,Giada at Home.
When sharing the news she’d be moving on from the network, a spokesperson called her “culinary royalty, someone who has taught audiences how to properly pronounce every cut of pasta imaginable for nearly two decades.”
04of 08Ina GartenIna Garten in the early 2000s.Food NetworkAnother member of the class of 2002,Ina Gartencame into homes in style at age 54 with herBarefoot Contessaseries.In early 2023,she reflected on her very first episode,in which she made lemonade.“Don’t you just love fresh lemonade? Not that stuff your mother used to bring home from the grocery store. But the real thing, made with freshly squeezed lemons,” she said in the clip.“For those of you who like a little something special, you can mix it with vodka,” she said, adding later on, “I’m definitely putting vodka in mine.”
04of 08
Ina Garten
Ina Garten in the early 2000s.Food Network
Food Network
Another member of the class of 2002,Ina Gartencame into homes in style at age 54 with herBarefoot Contessaseries.
In early 2023,she reflected on her very first episode,in which she made lemonade.
“Don’t you just love fresh lemonade? Not that stuff your mother used to bring home from the grocery store. But the real thing, made with freshly squeezed lemons,” she said in the clip.
“For those of you who like a little something special, you can mix it with vodka,” she said, adding later on, “I’m definitely putting vodka in mine.”
05of 08David RosengartenDavid Rosengarten in 2004.AP/Richard DrewDavid Rosengarten was a true original, starring on one of the network’s debut shows,Taste,like his cookbook of the same name.“My knowledge comes from interest. In France chefs are proud that they are self-taught. I taught myself how to cook,“he toldSouth Coast Todayin 1999.Rosengarten is still in the food space, blogging for Forbes, among other publications.
05of 08
David Rosengarten
David Rosengarten in 2004.AP/Richard Drew
AP/Richard Drew
David Rosengarten was a true original, starring on one of the network’s debut shows,Taste,like his cookbook of the same name.
“My knowledge comes from interest. In France chefs are proud that they are self-taught. I taught myself how to cook,“he toldSouth Coast Todayin 1999.
Rosengarten is still in the food space, blogging for Forbes, among other publications.
06of 08Alton BrownAlton Brown in 1999.Food NetworkAlton BrownlaunchedGood Eatsat 37 years old in 1999, appearing on the show until 2012. He ultimately went on to host series likeCutthroat KitchenandIron Chef America,thoughbrought aGood Eatsreboot backin 2019 before leaving Food Network for Netflix’s newIron Chefseries in 2022.“I don’t really think of myself as having left a place as much as I simply crossed the street to join one of my first loves,“Brown told EW.com at the time. “I had 20 pretty spectacular years at Food Network. I built a brand there. I became part ofIron Chef Americathere. But to be honest, if Netflix had taken a shot atIron Chefwithout me, that would have broken my heart.”
06of 08
Alton Brown
Alton Brown in 1999.Food Network
Alton BrownlaunchedGood Eatsat 37 years old in 1999, appearing on the show until 2012. He ultimately went on to host series likeCutthroat KitchenandIron Chef America,thoughbrought aGood Eatsreboot backin 2019 before leaving Food Network for Netflix’s newIron Chefseries in 2022.
“I don’t really think of myself as having left a place as much as I simply crossed the street to join one of my first loves,“Brown told EW.com at the time. “I had 20 pretty spectacular years at Food Network. I built a brand there. I became part ofIron Chef Americathere. But to be honest, if Netflix had taken a shot atIron Chefwithout me, that would have broken my heart.”
07of 08
Emeril Lagasse
Emeril Lagassebecame one of the first super-famous television chefs, thanks in part to his copious use of “Bam!” in cooking and his take on Creole cuisine. He was another who helped launch Food Network when he was in his 30s, gaining popularity onEmeril Live.
“I was one of the first ten employees hired at the Food Network,“he toldGQin 2016. “The show evolved, the ratings got better, we did a lot of things to add viewership to the network, so that made everybody happy. It was a great 10-year run. The ticket was one of the hottest tickets in New York. We had all these great musicians who were into food and wanted to tape the show.”
08of 08
Guy Fieri
Guy Fieri in 2007.Randall Benton/Sacramento Bee/Tribune News Service via Getty
Randall Benton/Sacramento Bee/Tribune News Service via Getty
At 38 years old,Guy Fieriwon the 2006 edition ofThe Next Food Network Star,launching a career that continues on the network today (he signed an $80 million deal in 2021).
source: people.com
