How can a person say their name, and everyone knows who and what it means in an industry? DANIEL has such an impact in the restaurant world that the industry respects and knows DANIEL!
Chef Daniel Boulud is from Lyon, France, a country known for its cultural legacy and rich culinary traditions. I relate to his upbringing in the sense that, like me with building, Chef Daniel was seemingly born into his passions. He grew up around food and cultivation on his family’s farm and spent significant time in the kitchen with his grandmother.
His first professional experience was under Chef Gerard Nandron at the two Michelin-starred Nandron in Lyon—and the rest is history. Since arriving in New York City in 1982, Chef Daniel has achieved a myriad of accomplishments and accolades, evolving his cuisine and expanding his reach to Toronto, Montreal, Dubai, Singapore, and The Bahamas.
It is incredible to see how Chef Daniel worked his way up from a novice to one of America’s leading culinary authorities. His flagship restaurant, Daniel, opened in 1993 in NYC and became a member of Relais & Châteaux for its award-winning contemporary French cuisine, inspired by the seasons and accompanied by world-class wines.
In 2021, Chef Daniel was named “Best Restaurateur in the World” by Les Grandes Tables du Monde, an organization that has carefully and commandingly built a highly rated and exclusive selection of the world’s best restaurants over the last 70 years. Chef Daniel's addition to this globally renowned list is a testament to his culinary artistic genius!
He is a worldwide inspiration to expert and aspirational chefs alike. Chef Daniel’s “My French Cuisine” cookbook is one of my favorites! I really appreciate his insights from the perspective of a young chef adapting French cuisine to American ingredients and tastes.
Chef Daniel’s culinary empire offers a modern charm with flavorful dishes surrounding French traditions. I admire his ability to transcend barriers and build authentic relationships through food. He skillfully uses his dishes as a powerful means to connect people and cultures.
ALL of my personal experiences with Daniel have impacted me and left me feeling ambitious to be better at making people feel the way he makes me feel which is…Special.
