Thinking about pursuing a career as a chef? Not sure how to go about it? Here are some profiles of the chefs and owners of some of the country's most esteemed restaurants. Find out where they worked, where they went to school, how they spend a typical day and what they like to cook.

Mark Peel: Executive chef/owner Campanile restaurant, Los Angeles
Mark Tarbell: Chef/owner, Tarbell’s and Barmouche restaurants, Phoenix
Takashi Yagihashi: Executive chef, Tribute restaurant, Farmington Hills, MI
Jean Louis Gerin: Chef/owner, Restaurant Jean-Louis, Greenwich, CN
Sandro Gamba: Executive chef, NoMI, Chicago
Anita Lo: Chef/owner, Annisa, New York City
Phillipe Boulot: Executive chef, The Heathman Hotel, Portland, OR
Mark Baker: Executive chef, Seasons Restaurant, Four Seasons Hotel, Chicago