Our Favorite Celebrity Chef Dads

What kind of dishes do chefs' kids like to eat (and cook)?

By Kiri TannenbaumPublished: May 21, 2012

Courtesy of Food Network

Dads are funny, smart, lovable, and, at times, even cool. But there is nothing cooler than a dad who is also a celebrity chef. Of course a serious chef raises a serious foodie. What kind of dishes do chefs' kids like to eat (and cook)? Read on to get these special recipes just in time for Father's Day.

Guy Fieri

Courtesy of Food Network

Restaurants: Johnny Garlic's, Tex Wasabi's
Kids: Hunter, 12, and Ryder, 3
What He Loves About Fatherhood: "I think it is the simplest things. Like when my sixth grader says 'I love you.' Or Ryder bringing all his cars into our bed."
Kids' Favorite Recipe: Fish Tacos and Gaucho Steak
Why They Love It: Tacos are a big one because everyone can make it their own way.

Mario Batali

Melanie Dunea

Restaurants: Babbo, Casa Mono, Pizzeria Mozza
Kids: Benno, 12 1/2, Leo, 11
What He Loves About Fatherhood: "Constant surprise and delight on a daily basis."
Kids' Favorite Recipe: "Homemade duck tortelli with Gia Russa tomato sauce because it has my picture on the label!" When they cook together, the kids love to make Pici Pasta.

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Ming Tsai

<p><b>Restaurants:</b> <a href="http://www.ming.com/blueginger" target="_new"><b>Blue Ginger</b></a><br />
<b>Kids:</b> David, 9, and Henry, 6 (soon to be 7)<br />
<b>What He Loves About Fatherhood:</b> "My kids are still running up to me for group hugs."<br />
<b>Kids' Favorite Recipe:</b> <a href="/recipefinder/blue-ginger-chicken-lettuce-cups-recipe" target="_blank"><b>Chicken Lettuce Cups</b></a><br />
<b>Why They Love It:</b> "They like being able to assemble the lettuce wraps themselves: laying out the lettuce leaf; adding the noodles and topping with the cooked chicken and veggies; rolling it all up; and chowing down.
And what kid doesn't like eating with his hands?"</p>

Anthony Tieuli for WGBH

Restaurants: Blue Ginger
Kids: David, 9, and Henry, 6 (soon to be 7)
What He Loves About Fatherhood: "My kids are still running up to me for group hugs."
Kids' Favorite Recipe: Chicken Lettuce Cups
Why They Love It: "They like being able to assemble the lettuce wraps themselves: laying out the lettuce leaf; adding the noodles and topping with the cooked chicken and veggies; rolling it all up; and chowing down. And what kid doesn't like eating with his hands?"

Jose Andres - Chefs at Home

Charles Osmanney

jose andres chefs at home celebrity chefs

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Wolfgang Puck

Amanda Marsalis

Restaurants: Spago, Chinois, and countless Wolfgang Puck Cafés
Kids: Cameron, 19, Byron, 15, Oliver, 3, Alexander, 2
What He Loves About Fatherhood: "Being a dad is the single most amazing experience: for any man to see his son being born, then growing into a boy, and later becoming a man."
Kids' Favorite Recipe: "Every Sunday morning we eat pancakes together. But their favorite meal is — not surprisingly — pizza."
Why They Love It: Fresh shaved truffles. "The boys will eat the truffles before they eat the rest of the slice!"

John Besh

Ditte Isager

Restaurants: August, Luke (after his son), La Provence
Kids: Brendan, 13, Jack, 8, Luke, 6, and Andrew, 4
What He Loves About Fatherhood: "Unconditional love that God must have for me by allowing my wife and me to raise these four souls."
Kids' Favorite Recipe: "In the summer it's anything on the grill as long as watermelon is served.
Why They Love It: "All of our favorite [meals] are social occasions. You don't make a portion or two of gumbo or jambalaya; our meals form a celebration of friends and family cooking and eating together."