The television cooking show actually began in 1942, with Chef Dione Lucas. This was long before the phrase 'celebrity chef' was even invented. Ms. Lucas was a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu cooking school in Paris. She and Rosemary Hume, another graduate, opened the London Cordon Bleu branch in the 1930s, and the New York branch later on. She also wrote The Cordon Bleu Cook Book, considered a primary source for cooks even today.

Everyone has heard of "The French Chef". Julia Child made cooking shows famous, following in Dione Lucas's footsteps. Mastering The Art Of French Cooking was the cookbook that taught America about French cooking, and the show followed soon after. She obviously loves to cook, and it shows in her every move in the kitchen. You'll learn the basics from Julia, and learn them well.

Newer TV chefs include Bobby Flay, Emeril Lagasse, Jamie Oliver, Mario Batali, Tyler Florence, Graham Kerr, Martin Yan, Martha Stewart, Gale Gand, Sara Moulton, Ming Tsai, and many more. The Food Network has exploded in popularity, and you can watch cooking shows 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. But just remember, they owe it all to Ms. Lucas and Mrs. Child.