It’s almost Australia Day, but before you start preparing your lamb sausages Lithium Technologies unveils who is sizzling in the social stakes, with their top 10 Aussie celebrity chefs on social list and the results may surprise you.

The rise of celebrity chefs, driven by a love of cooking shows has no doubt had a massive influence on Australians. They’re broadcast into our living rooms every other night, and we buy their cookbooks in droves, but which celebrity chefs influence us most on social media?

Lithium ranked Australia’s biggest names in food based on their Klout Scores:

• Taking out the top spot is Masterchef’s Adam Liaw
• A surprising second place goes to Malaysian chef and author Jackie Tang
• Rounding out the top three is Discovery Channel’s Nomad Chef Jock Zonfrillo
• Another Masterchef alumni Hayden Quinn came a close fourth
• Coming in at number five is one of Australia’s biggest world exports Curtis Stone

The celebrity chefs that made the cut are creating content that inspires their audiences to share, such as recipes and tips, mouth-watering images, how-to videos, and behind the scenes insights.

Lithium Director of Marketing (APAC) Imogen Riley said being an influencer on social media is not dependent on how many cookbooks you sell or simply the number of followers you have.

“It’s pleasantly surprising to see the likes of Adam Liaw and Hayden Quinn, both Masterchef alumni making the top five, in addition to two chefs who don’t appear on commercial television. The top four all have a social media audience of less than 200,000 and that shows when it comes to being influential on social media, engagement is certainly key,” said Imogen.

So, what makes a celebrity chef an influencer on social?  According to Lithium, there are a few ‘must haves’ to taste sweet social success:

1. Focus efforts on social outlets that your audience is drawn to, it’s not necessary to master all social media platforms.
2. Post content that drives engagement, give your audience photos, tips, and conversation starters that encourage dialogue and sharing with others.
3. Be responsive and engage with your audience, answer questions and be a part of the conversation.

Need to know which chefs check out for food inspiration this Australia Day? Here is the full list*:

 

RANK	NAME	BACKGROUND	KLOUT SCORE
1	Adam Liaw	Masterchef contestant and author.	79
2	Jackie Tang	Malaysian chef, author and TV presenter.	68
3	Jock Zonfrillo	Nomad chef on Discovery Channel and chef behind Orana and Street-ADL.	67
4	Hayden Quinn	Masterchef contestant, author and brand ambassador.	66
5	Curtis Stone	Celebrity chef regularly featured on overseas talk shows.	64
6	George Calombaris	Masterchef judge, chef and restaurateur.	60
7	Donna Hay	Cookbook author and editor in chief of Donna Hay Magazine.	58
8	Matt Moran	Chef and restaurateur. Owner of Aria, Chiswick, North Bondi Fish, ARIA Catering, Opera Bar and Riverbar & Kitchen. Hosts his own show and has appeared on Masterchef.	57
9	Neil Perry	Australian chef, restaurateur, author and television presenter. Co-ordinator for Qantas Flight Catering.	55
10	Adriano Zumbo	Pastry chef and restaurateur, featured on Masterchef.	54

*Klout Scores as at 21/01/15