This tastemaking toque proves that the secret recipe for style is a magical mix of heritage with an ample dash of personal pizazz.
DANIEL HUMM
Chef and owner, Eleven Madison Park
Chef and restaurateur Daniel Humm PHOTO BY CRAIG MCDEAN/COURTESY OF SUBJECT
“When I was 10 years old, I saw Monet’s ‘Water Lilies’ at Musée de l’Orangerie in Paris for the first time and had an emotional reaction,” shares award-winning chef Daniel Humm. “I didn’t know if I was happy or sad, but the beauty of the work really touched me.” The Swiss-born chef-owner of Eleven Madison Park infuses beauty into everything he does—from his creative, James Beard Foundation Award-winning cuisine and restaurant interiors to his own personal style. “Beauty is something I’ve always been drawn to, and being intentional with what I wear and what I live with is important to me. All my life, I’ve been a collector of stories, and I love to be around things that people I love have created, like Gabriela Hearst.” Humm’s European background plays a pivotal role in his work as well. “I grew up in Switzerland, and having been introduced to Bauhaus at an early age has been deeply influential in my work and the way I live my life.”
Today EMP remains one of the top restaurants in Manhattan and the world thanks to Humm’s attention to detail. “The four pillars of Eleven Madison Park are delicious, beautiful, creative and intentional,” he says. “These are the pillars for my work but also something I build my life and style on.” Humm is excited to extend his empire as he expands the recently launched Eleven Madison Home—a weekly delivery box delivered to your door that offers a full day of plant-based meals. “We’re so excited to launch the next phase of Eleven Madison Home, bringing the essence of Eleven Madison Park into homes across the country,” he shares.
And behind all that style is a serious serving of substance. “When I decided to reopen Eleven Madison Park, it was clear to me that there had to be a higher purpose than just the meals we’re serving,” he says. “We’ve created a circular ecosystem where every meal purchased at Eleven Madison Park helps provide meals in Queensbridge, and in the last year we have reached 100,000 meals served through the hard work of our team in collaboration with Rethink Food.”
