Anne Thornton, host of sugary celebration Dessert First, may seem sweet on the surface. However, she has a dark side that can leave a sour taste in the mouth. Recently, Food Network made a decision not to renew her show, amid rumours that she had copied recipes from well-known food personalities including Martha Stewart and Food Network’s Barefoot Contessa, Ina Garten.

Ina never issued an official response to allegations that Anne was stealing her recipes, which is a pity, because this had all the making of a classic Food Network feud. Fortunately, in an industry dominated by big personalities, public clashes are not uncommon, so we’ve had these to keep us entertained over the years.

Bobby Flay vs Masaharu Morimoto
True, this clash took place against the already heated, competitive backdrop of Iron Chef, but at one point it crossed the line from cook-off to personal vendetta.

It began in 2000, when Iron Chef Japan travelled to New York for a special battle against local chefs. Bobby took on Morimoto in Battle Rock Crab and, at the conclusion of the battle, leapt onto his counter-top, stood on his cutting board and celebrated victory (prematurely, as it turned out, since he actually lost the battle).

Flay’s extravagant gesture offended his Japanese opponent, who felt that real chefs should consider their knives and cutting boards as sacred. This lead to Morimoto declaring that Flay was “not a chef”.

During the rematch, which took place in Japan, Flay again provoked Morimoto. This time, he threw his cutting board onto the floor before climbing onto the counter for his victory celebration.

Antony Bourdain vs Paula Deen
So Antony Bourdain’s show, No Reservations is actually aired on the Travel Channel in the US. Never mind that because this feud is too juicy to pass up.

In 2011, Bourdain, who is known for his outspoken views on the food world, described Deen as “the worst, most dangerous person to America” on account of her position as the champion of high-calorie, fat-laden food. Deen responded by painting Bourdain as a member of the culinary elite who was out of touch with the food needs of average Americans.

The two continued to take public digs at each other, and even Deen’s recent diabetes diagnosis didn’t win her any sympathy. Bourdain took issue with the fact she had signed a deal to endorse an anti-diabetes drug; soon after the diagnosis was made public, he tweeted: “Thinking of getting into the leg-breaking business, so I can profitably sell crutches later.”

Guy Fieri vs David Page
Page, who worked as a producer on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, isn’t a celebrity chef or even a household name. What is he is a disgruntled former employee who decided to drag Guy’s name through the mud when he was fired from the show.

Allegations of sexual harassment, unprofessional behavior and bigotry were leveled at the Food Network star. In response, the network accused Page of creating such an “intolerable” environment on the show that they were forced to let him go.

Play “spot the different” with The Barefoot Contessa – Back to Basics (Mon 2 Apr at 16:00 ) and Dessert First (Mon 2 Apr at 17:40), both on Food Network (channel 185).