Alain Ducasse in New York, WOW!

What does everyone think abour this?

Who is this guy?

Alain Ducasse is the Executive Chef of the "l'hotel De Paris" in Monte-Carlo. His restaurant, Louis XV, holds a three Michelin star rank and is viewed by many as the "Mecca" of culinary inspiration. I personally think that Paul Bocuse holds that title but who's counting??. I didn't know that he's in New York. What's he doing???

He has cameras pointed at his tables so that the Brigade can keep an eye on pick-ups and what not. He also has cameras on his staff and apparently sits in his office and barks at his staff through a PA when he sees something wrong.

In article in GQ about a year ago, some arrogant writer spent four days at the hotel and went to the restaurant each night. The article's very funny because the writer starts to tell the Sous that he "didn't quite enjoy his dinnner the previous night for this and that reason. Okay, let's pull it together tonight and make it happen, alright Frenchy...." I can only imagine the verbal abuse the Commis chefs took that night from the Sous. A must read if anyone's got old GQ's.

[This message has been edited by The Black Box (edited March 25, 2000).]

He sits in his office and watches the staff through video cameras? I have never heard of that before.

[m brown]

An article in the NYTimes two weeks ago in the Dining in Dining out section highlighted restaurants that used video cameras in the dining room. I can't remember if they mentioned the chef watching the staff. I have worked in kitchens with video cameras, it's weird to think someone is watching and recording your every move.
But barking out direction on a PA system.... yikes.

I guess thats the part that would annoy me the most, barking out orders over a pa system. I think I would feel like yelling back "Then get your A__ down here and do it" Of course, I don't think I would last that long there either.

Just to clarify, the article I read about him said that "when" he was in the office doing the paperwork side of things, he would watch his staff and use the PA. It's not like the guy would live in his office and use the PA as a crude version of "The Wizard of Oz". "PAY NO ATTENTION TO THE MAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN!!!".

Alain is a man,who does not wear his name on his chef jacket,if they don;t know who i am,they don;t need to know me. He is one tough cookie in the kitchen,but he holds 8 michelin stars, you people tell me? Most likely the best chef today,I;ll taste his food July 13, then I will post right here.

Hey Billy, what restaurant is he at??? Has he left the Hotel De Paris?? A little info would be appreciated.

The restaurants are Louis XV in Monte Carlo, thats in the hotel.Next is the Paris restaurant is called ALAIN DUCASSE, both are 3 stars.Then he has a place called BASTIDE in Provence which is 2 stars.The man is nuts, but he is great.Check out his Book,FLAVORS OF FRANCE it's very good.

Hope this guy doesn't open up a restaurant in the USA> He can't have those cameras watching productivity here!! It's illegal, the only thing a camera can be watching is theft. I worked in a kitchen with cameras pointed at the fridges and beer coolers and the like, they had one pointed at the line and the Cook 1 took them to court and won his privacy case. Make sure you don't cross the line. I don't think I would handle this guys kitchen very well.

Sorry Billy, I should have been clearer. I was after what restaurant in NYC he's at now. Us foreigners on the Westcoast don't get to hear about these kinds of things.

hey Black Box,he is going to open his restaurant at the Essex house hotel in June,right now he does not operate any restaurants in the U.S.A.Talk you soon.

Thanks Billy. Sounds like I'm coming to NYC this autumn.

I am going with Billy to Alain Ducasse in New York On the 13 of July. Should be a blast. We will tell you guys and gals how it was. We already know it will be expensive. But, lets hope it is great!