Around the World: Chef and Restaurateur Daniel Boulud’s Favorite Things
Michelin-starred chef and restaurateur Daniel Boulud has a lot to do lately.
On Sunday, he hosted the 25th annual gala to raise money for Citymeals on Wheels, a nonprofit that provides free nutritious meals to homebound elderly New Yorkers. Last week also marked the opening of American Express’ Centurion New York, a club on the 55th floor of One Vanderbilt with food served by Boulud, whose restaurant, Le Pavillon, is located in the same skyscraper.
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Meanwhile, he’s been busy working on new restaurants slated to open on the East and West coasts: two French culinary destinations at One Madison Avenue, a new project developed by SI Green in midtown Manhattan, and Café Boulud Beverly. Hills in the Mandarin boutique condo. Oriental Residences Beverly Hills in Los Angeles.
Boulud already owns some 20 restaurants around the world, including the famous Daniel restaurant on Manhattan's Upper East Side, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.
"I've worked very hard in my life to create this collection of wonderful restaurants that include fine dining as well as casual dining," says Boulud. "With great hospitality in mind, a strong base of well-trained managers and staff, and the partnerships we have worked on over the years, we continue to grow."
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Boulud, 67, of French origin, has been awarded several times by the James Beard Foundation as an exceptional chef/restaurateur. He has also been recognized by the UN and the French government for his contribution to humanitarian and cultural work.
“I never take anything for granted. I have great mentors and partners, and loyal customers. said Boulud. "Of course, the consistency and quality of our food and service maintains loyalty."
To give back, Boulud mentors young workers in the hospitality industry and volunteers with charities such as Citymeals on Wheels, where he is co-chair.
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For this year's annual gala, he invited chefs from France and California to serve around 150 people at Daniel, which holds two Michelin stars. Over the past 25 years, he has raised over US$20 million for the organization through this event.
Boulud shared some of his favorite things with <em>penta</em>.
<strong>My favorite neighborhood in the world is… </strong> The Upper East Side of Manhattan, where I lived for nearly 40 years. In my early years I lived next door to Andy Warhol and cooked for him several times. The Upper East Side has world-class museums and easy access to subways. In the 72nd Street and Second Avenue station, there is a mosaic of me by Brazilian artist Vik Muniz. It always makes me feel like I belong in the neighborhood.
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<strong>The things in my kitchen that I can't live without are... </strong>a wooden spatula, a peeler and a cast iron pot. I like the pot that can do everything for me: I can roast, I can fry, I can braise and I can poach.
<strong>If I had to buy a work of art, it would be by… </strong>pablo<strong> </strong>picasso<strong>. </strong>When I was 18, I was working in the south of France where Picasso used to spend his holidays and paint. I never met him, but I lived so close to his world. We could hear the same sound, smell the same smell. And Picasso did a portrait of the chef I worked for. For me, he has always been a legendary man and he still is today.
<strong>I like to decorate my restaurants with…</strong> paintings by Alex Katz. They are brightly colored and give off a lot of energy. Also works by Muniz. They have been an important part of my life.
<strong>One of my passions that few people know about is… </strong>paint. I have personal passions that I dreamed of realizing. I would like to paint in a studio, cook and share time with my friends and family. I would like to build a barn in the country to do this.
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<strong>The only trip I've done that I'd like to do again... </strong>I would love to go back to Gauteng, South Africa to see the wilderness. I took my eldest daughter there and would like to take my young children there.
<strong>The next destination on my travel itinerary is… </strong>Dubai. I have a restaurant there. I'm going to see my team.
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<strong>What wakes me up in the morning is... </strong>my children. I have young children, they go to school early. I try to see them 30-45 minutes before they get ready and have breakfast with them. Then I'll read my newspaper and have my coffee. Once in a while I go to the gym.
<strong>The restaurant in my hometown that I like to take a visitor to is… </strong>restaurant Paul Bocuse in Collonges-au-Mont-d'Or, France. Bocuse and I grew up together. He was the most famous chef in the world. Although he passed away five years ago, the wonderful restaurant team still makes the restaurant magical. Also, a small bistro in Lyon, Le Suprême, which was opened by a young couple who worked for me. I am a financial partner.
<strong>One person who inspired me to do what I do is… </strong>there are many for me. I worked for [chef] Michel Guérard 40 years ago in France. He will celebrate his 90th birthday at the end of March. He had such an impact on my life as a mentor, restaurateur, artist, writer and industry leader.
<strong>If I could have a drink with anyone, anywhere, it would be... </strong> a drink with Ernest Hemingway at Bar Hemingway, the Parisian bar that bears his name during his lifetime. He was a heavy drinker and stayed at the bar for a long time.
<em>This interview has been edited for length and clarity.</em>
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