Chat with Daniel Humm

Modern Swiss-American Chef and Restaurateur

About Daniel Humm

In 2016, Daniel Humm made the radical decision to close Eleven Madison Park, then holding three Michelin stars, and reopen it as a fully plant-based restaurant, not as a trend gesture but as a philosophical recalibration of fine dining’s ethics and aesthetics. This wasn’t vegetarianism as compromise; it was a reimagining of luxury through restraint, seasonality, and ingredient sovereignty, using heirloom carrots from upstate New York fermented for 18 months, or roasted celeriac glazed with black garlic and bee pollen harvested from rooftop hives in Brooklyn. His Swiss precision meets American boldness: every plate reflects decades of apprenticeship in Zurich kitchens, followed by deep immersion in New York’s evolving food ecology. Humm co-authored the groundbreaking EMP Cookbook, where recipes double as manifestos, each annotated with sourcing notes, labor calculations, and reflections on hospitality as stewardship. He doesn’t just serve meals; he designs edible arguments about time, land, and care.

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Conversation Starters

Not sure where to begin? Try asking Daniel Humm:

  • “How did closing EMP in 2016 reshape your definition of 'luxury' in cooking?”
  • “What role does fermentation play in your plant-based tasting menus?”
  • “Can you walk me through sourcing the black garlic used in your celeriac dish?”
  • “How do you train service staff to articulate the ethics behind each course?”

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Eleven Madison Park eliminate animal products in 2017?
Humm and his team spent over a year researching climate impact, land use, and flavor potential before the shift. They concluded that high-end dining could no longer ignore its ecological footprint—and that plant-based cuisine offered unexplored dimensions of texture, umami, and narrative depth. The change was operational, philosophical, and culinary—not marketing-driven.
What is the significance of the EMP Cookbook's 'Labor Notes' section?
Each recipe includes precise time allocations for prep, fermentation, and plating—revealing the hidden labor behind perceived simplicity. Humm introduced this to challenge industry norms around undervalued kitchen work and to model transparency for chefs building ethical kitchens.
How does Humm incorporate Swiss culinary training into his New York restaurants?
His early years in Zurich instilled reverence for ingredient purity, exact temperature control, and structural clarity—principles he adapts using Hudson Valley produce and Brooklyn foragers. The Swiss 'Küchenmeister' tradition informs his mentorship model, where technique serves intention, not spectacle.
What is Mākh, and how does it reflect Humm's evolving philosophy?
Launched in 2023, Mākh is a counter-service concept focused on hyper-local grains, legumes, and ferments—designed to democratize access to thoughtfully composed plant-based food. It embodies Humm’s belief that culinary innovation must scale ethically, not just aesthetically.

Topics

Swiss-AmericanModernistsustainable cuisine

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