Best known for his series ‘Mexico: One Plate at a Time,’ Rick Bayless is a chef, restaurateur, and television personality. Although he is a well-known man, there are many facts about Rick Bayless that people do not know. Here are some Rick Bayless facts you might find interesting to read.
Rick Bayless Facts: His Personal Life
Where Was Rick Bayless Born?
Rick Bayless was born in Oklahoma on 23 November 1953. He comes from a family of grocers and restaurateurs, and the family specialism is barbecue. Therefore, food played an important part in Bayliss’ childhood.
Bayless Has a Famous Brother
Rick Bayless has a younger brother who is also in the limelight. Skip Bayless is a sports columnist, commentator, and television personality. He is known for being a commentator on ‘First Take.’
He Abandoned Academia to Pursue a Culinary Career
Bayless studied Spanish and Latin American culture at the University of Oklahoma, then moved to the University of Michigan to complete his master’s degree in linguistics. He then began a PhD in anthropological linguistics at Michigan. However, Bayless decided to quit academia to concentrate on a cooking career.
Who Is Rick Bayless’ Wife?
While he was studying at the University of Michigan, Rick Bayless met Deann Sullivan, who later became his wife. Following their marriage in 1979, Rick Bayless and his wife went on to have one daughter called Lanie Ann Bayless Sullivan. Deann often collaborates with her husband on his business and culinary ventures.
Where Does Rick Bayless Live?
Rick Bayless now lives in Chicago, which is also home to five of his restaurants.
What is Rick Bayliss’ Net Worth
One of the Rick Bayliss facts that many people want to know is ‘what is Rick Bayliss’ net worth?’ It is estimated that Rick Bayliss’ net worth is $30 million, which ranks him in an equal position to Giada De Laurentiis on the list of the richest celebrity chefs in the world. He is richer than Guy Fieri and Mario Batali, but not as rich as Wolfgang Puck, Levi Roots, Marco Pierre White, Thomas Keller, or Gordon Ramsay.
Facts About Rick Bayless: His Culinary Career
He Began His Culinary Training While Still at University
Bayless was interested in cooking and considered a culinary career while he was still at university. Alongside his academic studies, he began culinary training, with a focus on regional Mexican cooking.
Bayless Began His Professional Career in 1980
Rick Bayless became a professional chef in 1980 and held the position of executive chef at Lopez y Gonzalez in Cleveland Heights, Ohio.
He Opened His First Restaurant in 1987
In 1987, Bayless and his wife opened their first restaurant, Frontera Grill in Chicago. Unsurprisingly, his restaurant featured a menu of contemporary regional Mexican cuisine, which is the cuisine that he continues to specialize in and for which he is famous.
Bayless Currently Has Ten Restaurants
In total, Bayless has ten restaurants. His Chicago restaurants include Frontera Grill, Tropolobampo, XOCO, Bar Sotano, Tortazo, and Tortas Frontera. The latter is inside O’Hare International Airport. Bayless also has the Frontera Cocina restaurant in Florida and three Red O locations in California.
He Has Authored Ten Cookbooks
Rick Bayless’ first cookbook was the 1987 book ‘Authentic Mexican: Regional Cooking from the Heart.’ His most recent is the 2015 cookbook ‘More Mexican Everyday.’ Overall, Rick Bayliss has authored and published ten cookbooks.
What Is Rick Bayless’ Favourite Food?
As a connoisseur of Mexican cuisine, it is hardly surprising that Rick Bayless’ favourite food is Mexican. His favourite ingredient of all is chillies. In an interview with The Bespoke Black Book, the celebrity chef said his least favourite food is tomato juice as it makes him gag.
Fact About His Television Career
Bayless First Appeared on Television in 1978
Bayless’ career in television began before he had become a professional chef. He first appeared on television in 1978. The chef hosted the 26-part series ‘Cooking Mexican’ from 1978 to 1979. It led to Bayless spending six years in Mexico for culinary research, and he used the experience as the foundation of his career.
He Is Best Known for Hosting ‘Mexico: One Plate at a Time’
The series for which Rick Bayless is best known is ‘Mexico: One Plate at a Time.’ The chef has presented the series since 2003. Each season of the series focuses on the cuisine and culinary traditions of a different region of Mexico, with regions including Tijuana, Oaxaca, and the Yucatan Peninsula.
Bayless Has Competed in Iron Chef America
Rick Bayless competed in ‘Iron Chef America’ in 2005. His competitor was Bobby Flay, and the secret ingredient was bison meat. Unfortunately, Bayless lost to Flay by one point.
He Has Appeared in Top Chef
In Top Chef’s episode three of season four, Rick Bayless appeared as a guest judge, judging both the quickfire and elimination challenges. He then became a contestant on the first season of Top Chef Masters. Bayless won the challenge in episode three of the first season. He then won the Champion’s round to win the Top Chef Master title in 2009.
Other Things You Might Not Know About Rick Bayless
He Created a Play
One of the Rick Bayless facts that many people do not know is that he created a play. In 2012, he partnered with Tony Hernandez and Heidi Stillman to create the play ‘Rick Bayless in Cascabel.’ The Lookingglass Theatre Company from Chicago put on the play in Chicago.
Bayless Has Won Multiple Awards
Throughout his career, Rick Bayless has won multiple awards and accolades. His first was in 1988 when he won the Food & Wine Award for Best New Chef. He has also won various awards for the James Beard Foundation and many awards for his restaurants and cookbooks. Additionally, he has won awards for his humanitarian efforts on three occasions.
He Has Cooked for the Mexican President
Rick Bayless has cooked food for many notable people, including the Mexican President, Felipe Calderon, and his wife. He cooked for the Mexican President at a 2010 White House state dinner.
Bayless Founded a Charitable Organization
In 2003, Rick Bayless and his staff founded the Frontera Farmer Foundation. It aims to support farmers in the Chicago area by giving them capital improvement grants Bayless is also one of the founding members of the Chefs Collaborative, which promotes environmentally sound agricultural practices. Chefs Collaborative also supports Share Our Strength, which is a hunger advocacy program in the United States.
He Was Awarded an Order of the Aztec Eagle
One of Bayless’ most unusual awards is the Insignia of the Order of the Aztec Eagle. It is part of the Mexican honorary system, and it is the award that is given to foreigners who have contributed to Mexican culture or society.
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