News      11/13/2008  

Christopher Lee On Gilt, Aureole


Chef Lee and the giant truffle. (Photo courtesy of Epicurious)

Few self-proclaimed “rookie” chefs have two Michelin stars and a James Beard Award under their belts, but the Aureole-bound Chris Lee is impressively humble. Grub Street’s Daniel Maurer interviewed the chef to talk about his forthcoming departure from Gilt, collaborating with Charlie Palmer, and life as a new dad. On helping reopen Aureole in its new Bryant Park location and putting it back on the New York dining map, Lee says,

I have to observe and see the team, and then build the best team possible to reopen the space. Whether we do a lot of joint stuff on the menu, change half of it, maybe change a couple of things here and there, I can’t say right now… It’ll be a slow process in the beginning, and then we’re going to blow up and hopefully produce a rockin’ spring menu.

But the most exciting thing on Lee’s plate right now? Dadhood. “I didn’t think it was going to affect me as much as it did, but it gives you something to go home for. When I come home it’s all smiles.”

Grub Street: Chris Lee Tells Us Why He’s Jumping From Gilt to Aureole

-Stephanie Shih

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