Art Of The Restaurateur

Author: Nicholas Lander

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General Fields

  • : $55.00 NZD
  • : 9780714864693
  • : Phaidon Press Ltd
  • : Phaidon Press Ltd
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  • : May 2012
  • : 245mm X 172mm
  • : United Kingdom
  • : 55.0
  • : September 2012
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  • : books

Special Fields

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  • : Nicholas Lander
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  • : Hardback
  • : 912
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  • : 647.95
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  • : 352
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  • : 50 black & white
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Barcode 9780714864693
9780714864693

Description

Until 30 years ago, restaurateurs were considered the most important figures in any restaurant's success, with chefs consigned to the kitchen. This process began to change with the elevation of chef-patron Paul Bocuse in the late 1970s, and has continued with the rise of the celebrity chef. Restaurateurs are hugely important but rarely written about and significantly under-appreciated. The profession, other than its commercial and social aspects, has a fundamental human appeal: restaurateurs derive their name and profession from the French verb restaurer when their role was to restore the health of travellers battered by the potholes of French roads in the early 19th century. The role has changed a lot since then, and continues to evolve in fascinating ways. Despite the interest and increased professionalism of many restaurateurs, however, the restaurant business is still one of the most financially risky. In the UK only the construction industry sees more liquidations. Brands and chains have also made life difficult for the independent restaurateur. But these individuals all have an extraordinary story to tell, stories that will appeal to those disenchanted with a corporate world, give inspiration for the next generation of would-be restaurateurs, and provide a compelling read for anyone interested in the modern restaurant. Learn how Alan Yau lost control of Wagamama in a family feud and how Danny Meyer, with two hugely successful restaurants behind him (Union Square Cafe and Gramercy Tavern) opened Blue Smoke, a barbecue restaurant, without appreciating that all New Yorkers consider themselves barbecue experts, so they all thought he was doing everything wrong. Behind each of these successes is an equally dramatic story of something that went very badly wrong. When they got the tricky recipe right, they succeeded in creating some of the world's landmark restaurants. Covering subjects as diverse as finding the right location and the importance of getting the design right; to choosing the best chef and deciding what food to serve; to managing staff and dealing with difficult customers, every story is fascinating, different, and has something to tell about the creation of a successful restaurant.

Author description

Having been a restaurateur himself (he owned L'Escargot in Soho during the 1980s), Nicholas Lander (b.1952) knows and appreciates the business. He has written The Restaurant Insider, the hugely popular restaurant column in the Financial Times, for the past 21 years, which has become a must-read for all restaurant-goers and professionals.

Table of contents

Introduction The Accidental Restaurateur From Restaurateur to Critic The Restaurateurs Sam and Eddie Hart (UK): Fino, Barrafina, Quo Vadis Hazel Allen (UK): Ballymaloe, Ireland Mark Sainsbury (UK): Moro and The Zetter Hotel & Townhouse Drew Nieporent (US): Nobu New York Michelle Garnaut (Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing): M on the Bund, Glamour Bar, Capital M Russell Norman (UK): Polpo, Polpetto, Da Polpo, Spuntino and Mishkin's Gilbert Pilgram (US): Zuni Cafe, San Francisco Trevor Gulliver (UK): St John Bar & Restaurant Des McDonald (UK): Caprice Restaurants Gabriele Bertaiola (Italy): Antica Locanda Minchio Danny Meyer (US): Union Square Cafe, The Modern, Gramercy Tavern Nigel Platts-Martin (UK): Chez Bruce, The Ledbury, The Square, The Glasshouse, La Trompette Joe Bastianich (US): Babbo, Otto, Eataly, Del Posto Marie-Pierre Troisgros (France): Restaurant Troisgros Alan Yau (UK/Hong Kong): Wagamama, Busaba Eathai, Hakkasan, Sake no Hana, Cha Cha Moon, Princi Maguy Le Coze (US): Le Bernardin, New York Juli Soler (Spain): elBulli Enrico Bernardo (France): Il Vino, Paris Adam Tihany (US): designer of some of the world's best-known restaurants Neil Perry (AUS): Rockpool, Spice Temple, Rockpool Bar & Grill Life of a Restaurateur Bibliography & Cast of characters Index