Chef Daniel Humm and restaurateur Will Guidara will split after eight years as one of the most high-profile business partnerships in the industry. Their achievements include winning three Michelin stars and topping the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2017 with their Eleven Madison Park restaurant.
The pair were due to launch their first London opening, Davies and Brook, at Claridge’s hotel this summer. However, the restaurant will now open in autumn with Humm staying at the helm but with Guidara no longer involved.
The move is significant as Humm and Guidara have long been regarded as a dream team in the restaurant world, combining Switzerland-born chef Humm’s fun and finessed cooking style with Guidara’s slick front of house skills.
In email sent to the group’s 1,000 staff and seen by Eater US, the pair blamed the split on “different visions of the company long-term” and confirmed all upcoming restaurant projects under their Make It Nice hospitality group will go ahead.
The New York Times reports that Humm is buying out Guidara’s share of the business, with the help of an investor. Guidara plans to use the money to start his own restaurant group, alongside ‘industry veterans’.
Claridge’s says in a statement: “We have immense respect for Daniel and Will and all they and their team have created at Make it Nice, and we wish Will every success in his future plans.
“We are fully committed to supporting Daniel and his team, as they join our Claridge’s family and work towards the opening of Davies and Brook here this autumn. We are excited to be bringing this new restaurant to the London dining scene.”
Humm and Guidara bought Eleven Madison Park from their mentor, restaurateur Danny Meyer, in 2011 and transformed it in to one of the world’s most famous fine dining destinations.
Their Make It Nice group also operates Made Nice and NoMad in New York, as well as restaurants in Los Angeles and Las Vegas.
Long-time ‘company leader’ Jeffrey Tascarella has been appointed chief operating officer and will begin overseeing operations this summer. All the group’s restaurants will remain open.
