Eleven Madison Park: The Next Chapter, Revised and Unlimited Edition

THE FUNDAMENTALS

In my earliest days in the kitchen, I dreamed of crafting dishes that were free of noise and distraction; food that was wonderful to eat and to look at, that pushed boundaries and could tell a story. I sought clarity and harmony, but it felt unattainable, undefinable, like an itch I couldn t scratch.

It has taken my entire career to learn, to grow, and to attain the confidence to fully express myself. Now, after all this time, I would like to no, I need to put it into words.

This thinking evolved to become the Fundamentals. 

Over many years, the ideas that would become the foundation of our kitchen existed only in the abstract. I chased, not knowing exactly what I was pursuing. I operated only on instinct. But, something was missing: I realized I needed language to represent these principles, to communicate to our team how to cook the way I envision and why we cook the way we do. Remember: the work we do is not the craft of an individual; the kitchen relies on collaboration, but it does need direction.

Every dish we create, every plate we serve must adhere to these four fundamentals. On the surface, they may seem simple, but they are anything but. It s important to note that in their application, these concepts can clash, but it is our task to find balance between them.

This is our guide every day in the kitchen. It may sound strange, but defining a set of rules has actually given us freedom. Sometimes, it feels as if we ve learned a new language, a new vehicle of expression. 

It s as if we stand at the beginning of our journey again. 

DELICIOUS
Our food must be delicious. This needs to be an immediate and visceral response. Either it is or it is not delicious. There is no gray area here. I hold myself to showcasing our ingredients as pure expressions of themselves serving them with the intention that they taste like what they are. I want carrots to taste like carrots; I want beef to taste like beef the most

DANIEL HUMM is the proprietor, with Will Guidara, of the three-Michelin-starred restaurant Eleven Madison Park; the counter-service restaurant Made Nice in Manhattan; The NoMad restaurant with locations in Manhattan, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas; and Davies and Brook restaurant, opening in London in summer 2019.

Praise for Eleven Madison Park:

"What Eleven Madison feeds...your mouth, stomach, and spirit is something else. The restaurant tries as hard as any I know to bring delight to the table with every course. It succeeds so often that only the most determinedly grumpy souls could resist."
--Pete Wells, New York Times

"If the recipe for an outstanding restaurant is creating the perfect balance between great food and impeccable service, then Eleven Madison Park co-owners Daniel Humm and Will Guidara have hit the jackpot."
--The World's 50 Best Restaurants