Daniel Humm pens tribute after Eleven Madison Park split
News broke this week that duo will split after eight years running the Make It Nice hospitality empire, which includes former World's 50 Best Restaurants number one Eleven Madison Park in New York.
Guidara, known for his slick front of house skills, is selling his share of the business to Humm and plans to start his own restaurant group.
Make It Nice's upcoming London opening at Claridge's hotel is still going ahead this autumn, with Humm staying at the helm.
The chef wrote in an Instagram post that though the break took them both "by surprise” he was confident in their "decision and ability to see things through".
He added that Guidara’s legacy “would continue to live within our walls and in our company’s beliefs for years to come”.
“You were an incredible partner to have and I will miss you on my side- not only in the business but as a brother,” Humm wrote.
“You’ve taught me the importance of empathy and compassion. I’ve learned that in order to create the best team in the world it takes people from very different backgrounds with each of them having their own unique skills.”
Humm, now 43, said the pair met in their 20’s and decided at their first dinner together to open a “world-class restaurant”.
“We said it would be one of the best -- we didn't even know what that meant. But we did know that if we worked hard, if we pushed, if we kept the egos aside, and ran our restaurant not for the good of each other but for the restaurant itself, we would succeed.
“Every goal we set, every crazy dream we had--we always found a way of getting there. The last decade was beyond enriching and meaningful and even in the most stressful times we had found ways to be joyful and light.”
All Make It Nice's US restaurants are staying open.
