Daniel Boulud

Chef Daniel Boulud is widely celebrated as one of America’s leading culinary authorities and restauranteurs. Inspired by the rhythm of the seasons and menus driven by fine ingredients, Boulud has become renowned for the contemporary appeal he adds to soulful cooking rooted in French tradition. Since arriving in the U.S. in 1982, he has continually evolved his cuisine and expanded his reach from one location (Daniel in 1993) to multiple properties in New York City and across the U.S., as well as Toronto, Montreal, Singapore, Dubai, and the Bahamas.

Boulud was raised on his family’s farm in the village of Saint-Pierre-de-Chandieu, outside of Lyon. In 1993, Boulud opened the much-celebrated Daniel on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. His restaurant group has grown significantly over the past 30 years, and today encompasses notable brands including: Restaurant Daniel, Café Boulud, Le Pavillon, Centurion NY, Blue Box Café by Daniel Boulud, Le Gratin, Bar Boulud, Boulud Sud, Maison Boulud, and Epicerie Boulud.

Mr. Boulud has won countless awards for his achievements, including James Beard Foundation awards for Outstanding Restaurant; Outstanding Restaurateur; Best Chef, New York City; and Outstanding Chef of the Year. He has been named Chef of the Year by the Culinary Institute of America, Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur and Officier de l’Ordre du Mérite Agricole et Chevalier du Mérite National by the French government. In 2015 the World’s 50 Best Restaurants awarded Boulud the Diners Club® Lifetime Achievement Award for his success as a restaurateur, businessman, and ‘chef who is revered as one of the world’s finest.’ In 2021, Les Grandes Tables du Monde named him Best Restaurateur in the World. He also earned the 2023 Innovation Award from La Liste. His Michelin-starred restaurants include Le Pavillon and Jōji (each one Michelin star), and Restaurant Daniel (two Michelin stars). Boulud’s culinary style is reflected in nine cookbooks, including the definitive DANIEL: My French Cuisine (Grand Central Publishing, 2013) and My Best: Daniel Boulud (Ducasse Books, 2014). Additionally, Boulud is Co-President of Citymeals on Wheels, an organization dedicated to serving meals to New Yorkers in need; is Co-Founder of Food1st, in partnership with SL Green Realty Corp. and is Chairman of Ment’or, providing grants to young chefs to advance their culinary education.