2. Anthony Bourdain — Late chef, author, and documentarian

The death of Anthony Bourdain last year rocked not only the culinary world, but also anyone that had the privilege of watching the documentarian at work.

At the time of his death, he was filming season eight of his CNN travel series "Parts Unknown" — a show that Barack Obama said made us "a little less afraid of the unknown."

Through his long-running documentaries and writing, Bourdain changed the way millions of people think about travel, restaurants, and cooking.

As Josh Barro wrote for Business Insider: "Food is as good a reason as any to go on living. And I believe that by evangelizing about the joy that can come from food — how a single oyster can change your life — Bourdain helped some people out there in the world find their reason to carry on, even as he ultimately could not find that reason for himself."

Read more: Anthony Bourdain leaves a legacy of joy in adversity he should have been proud of

He is undoubtedly one of the most influential voices the world of food has ever heard. Rest in peace, Mr Bourdain.