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— Martha Stewart and Rachael Ray you expect. But Steve Jobs on a list of the 50 most powerful people in food?
The idea was to choose people "that directly or have the ability to directly affect what and how we eat," explains Colman Andrews, editorial director of TheDailyMeal, a new site that aims to be a clearinghouse of all things food-related, from recipes to restaurant reviews and more.
And on Tuesday it released its list of America's culinary movers and shakers.
Stewart landed at No. 47, and Ray got No. 14. But Jobs, co-founder and CEO of Apple, beat them both at No. 5.
"The hardest part, as you might guess, wasn't even choosing the names so much as putting them in some kind of order," Andrews says.
Jobs makes the list due to technology produced by his company that has affected the food world from the multitude of food apps to restaurant iPad wine lists. PETA cofounder Ingrid Newkirk made No. 48 because of her work promoting vegetarianism and campaigning for the humane treatment of animals raised for food.
There are famous chefs on the list, like Wolfgang Puck (13), Tom Colicchio (30), chef-restaurateur and host of TV's "Top Chef" show, and chef Thomas Keller (19) of The French Laundry in the Napa Valley and Per Se in New York.
But there also are names from different parts of the food universe, such as Agriculture Secretary Thomas J. Vilsack (2), and James Sinegal (15), founder and CEO of Costco, the national warehouse club that has made quality products, including fine wine, more accessible.
First Lady Michelle Obama (4) is listed for her work promoting healthy eating and fighting childhood obesity.
Who's No. 1?
That would be you, "the user. The reader. The consumer. The restaurant-goer. The home cook. The culinary professional," according to the website.
"You determine what we eat and how and sometimes why. And you're doing a great job. Keep it up."
Andrews expects some readers will have plenty to say about the choices.
Which is absolutely fine by him.
Quick feedback is "part of what makes this medium so satisfying," he says. When something is online response can come in minutes, both positive and negative.
"I hope we get both," says Andrews, "because that's what makes it fun."
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TheDailyMeal's top 10 most powerful people in the food world:
10 — Jim Skinner, president and CEO of McDonald's Corp.
9 — Sam Sifton, New York Times restaurant critic
8 — Mike Duke, president and CEO of Wal-Mart Stores Inc.
7 — Brooke Johnson, president of Food Network
6 — Alice Waters, restaurateur
5 — Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple Inc.
4 — Michelle Obama, first lady
3 — Hugh Grant, chairman, president and CEO of Monsanto Co.
2 — U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack
1 — You
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The complete list online:
http://www.thedailymeal.com/50-most-powerful-food-folk-america
