CHICAGO —Wolfgang Puck, one of the nation’s best-known chefs and brightest culinary stars, led a parade of fine-dining luminaries who each recalled the dreams, hard work and dedication that helped to earn them spots the 2007 Fine Dining Hall of Fame.
At a luncheon sponsored by American Express and held at the Ritz-Carlton here during the National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show, eight fine-dining establishments were inducted into the Fine Dining Hall of Fame and Puck was named the 2007 Fine Dining Legend. —Wolfgang Puck, one of the nation’s best-known chefs and brightest culinary stars, led a parade of fine-dining luminaries who each recalled the dreams, hard work and dedication that helped to earn them spots the 2007 Fine Dining Hall of Fame.
In a speech laced with humor and humility, Puck recalled how long hours on the job and an unfaltering love for the restaurant industry helped him in his meteoric ascent. He also assured the crowd of 200 that his career was far from over—even if he was being touted as a legend. —Wolfgang Puck, one of the nation’s best-known chefs and brightest culinary stars, led a parade of fine-dining luminaries who each recalled the dreams, hard work and dedication that helped to earn them spots the 2007 Fine Dining Hall of Fame.
“I still believe I got this award 20 years too early,” said Puck, who at 57 is the youngest person to be given the award. “I still am learning every day about this business.” —Wolfgang Puck, one of the nation’s best-known chefs and brightest culinary stars, led a parade of fine-dining luminaries who each recalled the dreams, hard work and dedication that helped to earn them spots the 2007 Fine Dining Hall of Fame.
That education has been ongoing since he began his formal culinary training at age 14, and it accelerated when the native of Austria, who grew up “not that well off,” came to the United States in the mid-1970s. —Wolfgang Puck, one of the nation’s best-known chefs and brightest culinary stars, led a parade of fine-dining luminaries who each recalled the dreams, hard work and dedication that helped to earn them spots the 2007 Fine Dining Hall of Fame.
“Once I came to this country, I had a lot to learn,” he said. —Wolfgang Puck, one of the nation’s best-known chefs and brightest culinary stars, led a parade of fine-dining luminaries who each recalled the dreams, hard work and dedication that helped to earn them spots the 2007 Fine Dining Hall of Fame.
For instance, while working at his first U.S. job in Indianapolis, he said he had to learn how to cook steaks to well done and scrambled eggs so that they were firm, not runny and creamy as he had been taught in Europe. —Wolfgang Puck, one of the nation’s best-known chefs and brightest culinary stars, led a parade of fine-dining luminaries who each recalled the dreams, hard work and dedication that helped to earn them spots the 2007 Fine Dining Hall of Fame.
Lured to Los Angeles, which he said reminded him of the South of France, he began working for Patrick Terrail at Ma Maison. —Wolfgang Puck, one of the nation’s best-known chefs and brightest culinary stars, led a parade of fine-dining luminaries who each recalled the dreams, hard work and dedication that helped to earn them spots the 2007 Fine Dining Hall of Fame.
“My first check bounced,” he said. “I was making $300 a week.” —Wolfgang Puck, one of the nation’s best-known chefs and brightest culinary stars, led a parade of fine-dining luminaries who each recalled the dreams, hard work and dedication that helped to earn them spots the 2007 Fine Dining Hall of Fame.
Over the course of the next six years, Terrail would give him equity in Ma Maison, and the restaurant, known for not having a published telephone number, would become the place to be seen. —Wolfgang Puck, one of the nation’s best-known chefs and brightest culinary stars, led a parade of fine-dining luminaries who each recalled the dreams, hard work and dedication that helped to earn them spots the 2007 Fine Dining Hall of Fame.
Puck left Ma Maison in 1981 with the desire to open his own place. The first Spago debuted in 1982. Again, the crowds materialized and long waits were commonplace. —Wolfgang Puck, one of the nation’s best-known chefs and brightest culinary stars, led a parade of fine-dining luminaries who each recalled the dreams, hard work and dedication that helped to earn them spots the 2007 Fine Dining Hall of Fame.
“I had an open kitchen, so I could not escape when people were upset,” Puck joked. —Wolfgang Puck, one of the nation’s best-known chefs and brightest culinary stars, led a parade of fine-dining luminaries who each recalled the dreams, hard work and dedication that helped to earn them spots the 2007 Fine Dining Hall of Fame.
In time, Puck opened Chinois on Main along with other concepts, and 15 years ago he branched into airport locations. Today, he has 14 fine-dining restaurants and more than 80 grab-and-go concepts. His three companies—Wolfgang Puck Fine Dining Group, Wolfgang Puck Catering and Wolfgang Puck Worldwide Inc.—have annual sales of about $350 million. —Wolfgang Puck, one of the nation’s best-known chefs and brightest culinary stars, led a parade of fine-dining luminaries who each recalled the dreams, hard work and dedication that helped to earn them spots the 2007 Fine Dining Hall of Fame.
“To me just doing restaurants on one level was never enough,” Puck said. —Wolfgang Puck, one of the nation’s best-known chefs and brightest culinary stars, led a parade of fine-dining luminaries who each recalled the dreams, hard work and dedication that helped to earn them spots the 2007 Fine Dining Hall of Fame.
Puck, a longtime supporter of Meals on Wheels and other philanthropies, said that now “one of the things I’m most of proud of is my ability to help people.” Applauding his industry peers for all that they give to their communities, he added, “The most important thing is not that we just take, but we give back.” —Wolfgang Puck, one of the nation’s best-known chefs and brightest culinary stars, led a parade of fine-dining luminaries who each recalled the dreams, hard work and dedication that helped to earn them spots the 2007 Fine Dining Hall of Fame.
Puck also acknowledged the colleagues who have been with him from the beginning and work hard to make each day better than the last. —Wolfgang Puck, one of the nation’s best-known chefs and brightest culinary stars, led a parade of fine-dining luminaries who each recalled the dreams, hard work and dedication that helped to earn them spots the 2007 Fine Dining Hall of Fame.
“I certainly don’t want to stop,” he said. —Wolfgang Puck, one of the nation’s best-known chefs and brightest culinary stars, led a parade of fine-dining luminaries who each recalled the dreams, hard work and dedication that helped to earn them spots the 2007 Fine Dining Hall of Fame.
Also honored during the luncheon were The Ahwahnee Dining Room in Yosemite National Park, Calif., whose foodservice is overseen by Delaware North Cos. “Our goal is to set new standards for service in the crown jewel of the National Park system,” executive chef Percy Whatley said in accepting the award. —Wolfgang Puck, one of the nation’s best-known chefs and brightest culinary stars, led a parade of fine-dining luminaries who each recalled the dreams, hard work and dedication that helped to earn them spots the 2007 Fine Dining Hall of Fame.
2007 Hall of Fame inductees The Ahwahnee Dining Room, Yosemite National Park, Calif. —Wolfgang Puck, one of the nation’s best-known chefs and brightest culinary stars, led a parade of fine-dining luminaries who each recalled the dreams, hard work and dedication that helped to earn them spots the 2007 Fine Dining Hall of Fame. Blackberry Farm, Walland, Tenn. —Wolfgang Puck, one of the nation’s best-known chefs and brightest culinary stars, led a parade of fine-dining luminaries who each recalled the dreams, hard work and dedication that helped to earn them spots the 2007 Fine Dining Hall of Fame. Blue Hill, New York —Wolfgang Puck, one of the nation’s best-known chefs and brightest culinary stars, led a parade of fine-dining luminaries who each recalled the dreams, hard work and dedication that helped to earn them spots the 2007 Fine Dining Hall of Fame. Cashion’s Eat Place, Washington, D.C. —Wolfgang Puck, one of the nation’s best-known chefs and brightest culinary stars, led a parade of fine-dining luminaries who each recalled the dreams, hard work and dedication that helped to earn them spots the 2007 Fine Dining Hall of Fame. Fore Street, Portland, Maine Giovanni’s on the Hill, St. Louis —Wolfgang Puck, one of the nation’s best-known chefs and brightest culinary stars, led a parade of fine-dining luminaries who each recalled the dreams, hard work and dedication that helped to earn them spots the 2007 Fine Dining Hall of Fame. Jar Los Angeles —Wolfgang Puck, one of the nation’s best-known chefs and brightest culinary stars, led a parade of fine-dining luminaries who each recalled the dreams, hard work and dedication that helped to earn them spots the 2007 Fine Dining Hall of Fame. Le Vichyssois Lakemoor, Ill. —Wolfgang Puck, one of the nation’s best-known chefs and brightest culinary stars, led a parade of fine-dining luminaries who each recalled the dreams, hard work and dedication that helped to earn them spots the 2007 Fine Dining Hall of Fame. FINE DINING LEGEND: Wolfgang Puck, Wolfgang Puck Fine Dining Group, Las Vegas —Wolfgang Puck, one of the nation’s best-known chefs and brightest culinary stars, led a parade of fine-dining luminaries who each recalled the dreams, hard work and dedication that helped to earn them spots the 2007 Fine Dining Hall of Fame.
Representatives from Blackberry Farm in Walland, Tenn., and Blue Hill in New York both talked of the importance of showcasing local products. —Wolfgang Puck, one of the nation’s best-known chefs and brightest culinary stars, led a parade of fine-dining luminaries who each recalled the dreams, hard work and dedication that helped to earn them spots the 2007 Fine Dining Hall of Fame.
“We try to let the glory of what they are producing off the lands speak for themselves,” said David Barber, co-owner of Blue Hill. —Wolfgang Puck, one of the nation’s best-known chefs and brightest culinary stars, led a parade of fine-dining luminaries who each recalled the dreams, hard work and dedication that helped to earn them spots the 2007 Fine Dining Hall of Fame.
And officials from Cashion’s Eat Place in Washington, D.C.; Fore Street in Portland, Maine; Giovanni’s on the Hill in St. Louis; Jar in Los Angeles; and Le Vichyssois in Lakemoor, Ill., expressed deep gratitude for the Hall of Fame honors. —Wolfgang Puck, one of the nation’s best-known chefs and brightest culinary stars, led a parade of fine-dining luminaries who each recalled the dreams, hard work and dedication that helped to earn them spots the 2007 Fine Dining Hall of Fame.
“I wanted to create an institution,” said Ann Cashion of Cashion’s Eat Place, “and this award is affirmation that we have.” —Wolfgang Puck, one of the nation’s best-known chefs and brightest culinary stars, led a parade of fine-dining luminaries who each recalled the dreams, hard work and dedication that helped to earn them spots the 2007 Fine Dining Hall of Fame.