Quique Dacosta, Spain

Dacosta got his start while working as a dishwasher in a pizza place. From there, his interest in food blossomed into a job at a restaurant called El Poblet at 17. He continued to work there for his entire career, through name changes, menu changes, management changes, all the way until he was offered the restaurant to call his own. He earned three Michelin stars, despite being a poor, self-taught man with no connections. 

Eric Pras, France

Pras started his career much like many other male chefs from France. He obtained an apprenticeship when he was 15, and from there he just ran up the ranks. After spending his life in the industry, he took over the 90-year-old Maison Lameloise in Burgundy. The restaurant already had three Michelin stars, and he has held them for the past 10 years.