I Love New York | Daniel Humm & William Guidara | Talks at Google

TL;DR

Will Guidara and Daniel Humm discuss their journey as restaurateurs and authors, the inspiration behind their books, and their approach to food and dining in New York City.

Transcript

JACQUELINE WASILCZYK: I'm sitting with two very talented people, as those bios suggest. So, I know the "Eleven Madison Park" cookbook came out in 2011. Two years later we have "I Love New York." Are you guys really authors disguised as restaurateurs? How did this book come about so quickly? WILL GUIDARA: No. When we did the "Eleven Madison Park" bo... Read More

Key Insights

• 🤩 Collaboration and teamwork are key to success in the restaurant industry, with both chefs and front-of-house staff working together to create memorable dining experiences.
• 👨‍🍳 The chefs draw inspiration from different sources, including music, travel, and the history and traditions of New York.
• 💖 The book aims to spark a conversation about New York cuisine and the unique dining experience the city offers.
• 👨‍🍳 Cookbooks continue to be popular in printed form, and there is still value in the physical book for chefs and home cooks alike.
• 👨‍🍳 The chefs value the input of their guests and strive to balance feedback with their own vision and beliefs.
• 👻 The success of Eleven Madison Park and NoMad has allowed the chefs to have a positive impact on the New York dining scene and establish their own culinary legacy.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did the idea for the "I Love New York" book come about?

The idea for the book came about after the success of their previous cookbook, and the chefs wanted to showcase the abundance of high-quality ingredients available in New York.

Q: Do you think the "I Love New York" book will change people's perception of New York as an agricultural state?

Yes, the book highlights the incredible range of agricultural resources in New York, including the Atlantic Ocean and the Hudson Valley, and will likely surprise readers with the state's agricultural diversity.

Q: How important is the connection between the farmers and the restaurant when it comes to sourcing ingredients?

The chefs emphasize the importance of establishing close relationships with farmers to ensure the best quality ingredients and to have more control over the farming process to meet specific culinary needs.

Q: Are the dishes in the book accessible to home cooks?

While some recipes may be more challenging, the chefs aim to make the book accessible and encourage readers to reach out with any questions or clarifications. They also point out that the spirit of the book is more about celebrating New York cuisine and the local food culture.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The "Eleven Madison Park" cookbook led to the creation of "I Love New York" in a surprisingly short time.

• The "I Love New York" book highlights the importance of New York's agricultural resources and showcases local farms within a 150-mile radius of the city.

• The chefs discuss their passion for using local, high-quality ingredients and the impact it has on the dining experience.

• Their collaboration with Alinea and the experience of working together with other chefs has been inspiring and beneficial for both restaurants.