In this era of celebrity chefs and haute cuisine gone less haute, Alsace-born Jean-Georges Vongerichten is the rare talent who has grown his empire without resorting to the indignity of slapping his face on a frying pan or frozen pizza. He already has 18 restaurants -- eight of them in New York, including Vong and his flagship Jean Georges, which has three Michelin stars -- and for a sense of the size of his plate, consider that Spice Market alone rakes in about $15 million a year in revenue. His unprecedented partnership with Starwood Hotels has given the cuisinier license to unleash his creativity -- and trademark Asian flavors -- in 50 new restaurants over the next five years. That's still not enough for him: "If I could have my dream," he has said, "I would open a new restaurant every month." -- by Kate Rockwood