10 Out of the Kitchen

Being a chef is definitely a time-intensive pursuit, but like Danny and his band NARX, many accomplished chefs still find time to feed their soul with other activities outside of the kitchen. Here’s how a few of our favorite chefs spend their downtime.

 

Instagram / Anthony Bourdain

Anthony Bourdain – jiu jitsu
Inspired by his wife, who is accomplished in Brazilian jiu jitsu, Anthony tried the sport out for himself and became hooked. Now he says he trains every day, no matter where his travels take him.

Photo by Dave J Hogan/Getty Images
Photo by Dave J Hogan/Getty Images

 Gordon Ramsay – football (aka soccer)
Growing up in England, Gordon aspired to be a professional football player. However, after a devastating knee injury put an end to his sports career, he went back to school to pursue a degree in hotel management, eventually leading to his career as a chef.

Pinterest / Adam Hernandez

Giada de Laurentiis – paddle boarding for fitness
Being constantly surrounded by food doesn’t make it easy to stay fit, yet Giada seems to manage just fine. Though instead of ordinary cardio or weight-lifting routines, she prefers paddle boarding as a way to keep fitness fun.

Instagram / Bobby Flay

Bobby Flay – golf
Bobby enjoys spending his time off on the links, and has even said that if his career as a chef didn’t pan out, he wanted to pursue a career as a professional golfer. He’s not half bad either, with an impressive handicap of 8 strokes (the official average is 15).

www.yum-o.org

 Rachael Ray – charity work
The bubbly, relatable chef founded her own nonprofit organization in 2006—Yum-o!—aimed to empower kids and their families to develop healthier relationships with food and cooking.

Instagram / Chef Wolfgang Puck

 Wolfgang Puck – skiing
Yes, even the famous Wolfgang Puck needs time to recharge away from the stovetop. He loves heading to Colorado to spend time on the slopes. In fact, his love of skiing recently inspired a lifestyle change—incorporating healthier meals and exercise—so he could continue skiing without needing to catch his breath.

 ANGELA JONES