Inspirations, the world over

In the pastry world:

David Carmichael (Gilt; NYC NY, USA)
Gale Gand (TRU; Chicago IL, USA)
Michelle Gayer-Nicholson (Franklin Street Bakery; Minneapolis MN, USA)
Will Goldfarb (ex- Room4Dessert; NYC NY, USA)
Pierre Hermé (Pierre Hermé Paris; Paris, France & Tokyo, Japan)
Johnny Iuzzini (Jean-Georges; NYC NY, USA)
Jordan Kahn (ex-Varietal; NYC NY, USA)
Michael Laiskonis (Le Bernardin, NYC NY, USA)
Sam Mason (Tailor, NYC NY, USA)
Pichet Ong (P*Ong; NYC NY, USA)
Ben Roche (Moto; Chicago IL, USA)
Alex Stupak (WD~50; NYC NY, USA)
Jenifer Witte (Alex at Wynn; Las Vegas NV, USA)
Kate Zuckerman (Chantrelle; NYC NY, USA)

On the hot side of the kitchen:

Grant Achatz (Alinea; Chicago IL, USA)
Ferran Adria (El Bulli; Roses, Spain)
Andoni Luis Aduriz (Mugaritz; San Sebastian, Spain)
José Andres (Cafe Atlantico/Minibar; Washington DC, USA)
Richard Blais (Home; Atlanta GA, USA)
Heston Blumenthal (the Fat Duck; Bray, England)
Daniel Boulud (Daniel; NYC NY, USA)
Graham Elliot Bowles (Graham Elliot; Chicago IL, USA)
Michel Bras (Bras; Laguiole, France)
Sean Brock (McCrady’s; Charleston SC, USA)
Scott Bryan (Veritas; NYC NY, USA)
Homaro Cantu (Moto; Chicago IL, USA)
Wylie Dufresne (WD~50; NYC NY, USA)
Laurent Gras (L2O; Chicago IL, USA)
Paul Kahan (Blackbird; Chicago IL, USA – & Avec; Chicago IL, USA)
Thomas Keller (The French Laundry; Yountville CA, USA – & Per Se; NYC, NY, USA )
Susur Lee (Susur – & Lee; Toronto, Canada
Michael Mina (Michael Mina; San Francisco CA, USA)
Eric Ripert (Le Bernardin; NYC NY, USA)
Rick Tramonto (TRU; Chicago IL, USA)
Charlie Trotter (Charlie Trotter’s; Chicago IL, USA)
Jean-Georges Vongerichten (Jean-Georges; NYC NY, USA)
Tetsuya Wakuda (Tetsuya’s; Sydney, Australia)

….among countless others that are skipping my mind right this moment (on both sides of the kitchen).