Laurent Petit, France

Petit had a bit of a difficult ride to get where he is now. He was the son of a butcher while growing up, he decided to go to culinary school, but then ultimately decided to join the military. After he finished his service, he entered the hospitality industry. By the time he was 24, he opened his own restaurant. He bounced around for a dozen years, but then settled and opened a spot with his wife in 1992. Eight years after opening their restaurant, Petit was awarded his first Michelin star. By 2018, he had three.