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{{Short description|American chef}}
{{Infobox chef <!-- for more information see [[:Template:Infobox chef/doc]] -->
{{Infobox chef <!-- for more information see [[:Template:Infobox chef/doc]] -->
| name = Tom Valenti
| name = Tom Valenti
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| education =
| education =
| ratings = [[Zagat Survey]] 2008<br>Food=25<br>Décor=21<br>Service=22
| ratings = [[Zagat Survey]] 2008<br>Food=25<br>Décor=21<br>Service=22
|
| restaurants = [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Cirque Le Cirque] 2017-Present
| television = [[The Early Show|CBS The Early Show]]<br>[[Today (NBC program)|NBC The Today Show]]
| television = [[The Early Show|CBS The Early Show]]<br>[[Today (NBC program)|NBC The Today Show]]
| prevrests = Ouest<br>West Branch<br>Cesa<br>Butterfield 81<br>Cascabel<br>Alison on Dominick<br>Gotham Bar & Grill<br>Guy Savoy Paris<br>Guy Savoy Greenwich
| prevrests = [[Le Cirque]]<br>Ouest<br>West Branch<br>Cesa<br>Butterfield 81<br>Cascabel<br>Alison on Dominick<br>Gotham Bar & Grill<br>Guy Savoy Paris<br>Guy Savoy Greenwich
| website = http://lecirque.com
| website =
}}
}}
'''Tom Valenti''' is the Executive Chef at Jockey Hollow Bar and Kitchen in Morristown NJ. Chef Valenti was formerly the owner and [[Chef|Executive Chef]] of [http://www.oxbowtavern.com Oxbow Tavern] on the [[Upper West Side]] of [[Manhattan]]. He is the former [[Chef|Executive Chef]] of [[Le Cirque]] Restaurant in Midtown [[Manhattan]], in New York City.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ny.eater.com/2017/3/28/15098450/tom-valenti-has-resigned-from-le-cirque|title=Tom Valenti Has Resigned from le Cirque|date=28 March 2017}}</ref> Previously, he was [[Chef|Executive Chef]] and co-owner of Ouest Restaurant on the [[Upper West Side]] of [[Manhattan]] which shuttered in 2015. The recipient of many awards for his comfortable cooking style, Valenti is best known for his salmon gravlax and slow-cooked meats, particularly braised lamb shanks. Chef Valenti is the author of 3 cookbooks, ''"Welcome to my Kitchen", "Soups, Stews and One Pot Meals"'' as well as ''"You Don't Have to be Diabetic to Love This Cookbook",'' dedicated to recipes for [[diabetic]] diets. Valenti was the driving force behind the creation of the Windows of Hope Family Relief Fund, established to benefit the surviving family members of [[foodservice]]-related victims of the [[September 11, 2001 attacks]].<ref>[http://www.treasurecoastwinefestival.com/chefs.php Treasure Coast Wine Festival - Vero Beach, Florida<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080113035647/http://www.treasurecoastwinefestival.com/chefs.php |date=2008-01-13 }}</ref>

'''Tom Valenti''' is the [[Chef|Executive Chef]] of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Cirque Le Cirque] Restaurant in Midtown [[Manhattan]], in New York City.<ref>http://ny.eater.com/2017/1/5/14176706/chef-tom-valenti-heads-to-le-cirque</ref> Previously, he was [[Chef|Executive Chef]] and co-owner of Ouest Restaurant on the [[Upper West Side]] of [[Manhattan]] which shuttered in 2015. The recipient of many awards for his comfortable cooking style, Valenti is best known for his salmon gravlax and slow-cooked meats, particularly braised lamb shanks. On October 28, 2008, he opened a new restaurant, named The West Branch, just a few blocks south of his flagship location. Additionally, Valenti released his third cookbook, ''You Don't Have to be Diabetic to Love This Cookbook'', in June 2009, dedicated to recipes for [[diabetic]] diets. Valenti was the driving force behind the creation of the Windows of Hope Family Relief Fund, established to benefit the surviving family members of [[foodservice]]-related victims of the [[September 11, 2001 attacks]].<ref>[http://www.treasurecoastwinefestival.com/chefs.php Treasure Coast Wine Festival - Vero Beach, Florida<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>


==Professional life==
==Professional life==


===Introduction to haute cuisine===
===Introduction to haute cuisine===
After graduating from [[high school]], Valenti took a job working [[pastry]] at a local Ithaca French restaurant, l'Auberge du Cochon Rouge. Exposure to the traditional [[Escoffier]] style of [[French cooking]] led him to relocate to [[Rye (city), New York|Rye, New York]] where he accepted a job as a private chef to a wealthy family. He was free to design the menu as he pleased with the stipulation that the same meal not be repeated for at least 200 days.<ref name=autogenerated2>[http://nymag.com/restaurants/articles/02/valenti1.htm New York Metro: Ouest Side Story<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> This job lasted for 2 years until the couple employing him divorced.
After graduating from [[high school]], Valenti took a job working [[pastry]] at a local Ithaca French restaurant, l'Auberge du Cochon Rouge. Exposure to the traditional [[Escoffier]] style of [[French cooking]] led him to relocate to [[Rye (city), New York|Rye, New York]] where he accepted a job as a private chef to a wealthy family. He was free to design the menu as he pleased with the stipulation that the same meal not be repeated for at least 200 days.<ref name=autogenerated2>[https://nymag.com/restaurants/articles/02/valenti1.htm New York Metro: Ouest Side Story<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> This job lasted for 2 years until the couple employing him divorced.


Valenti next landed a position at the [[Greenwich, Connecticut]] restaurant being opened by famous French chef [[Guy Savoy (chef)|Guy Savoy]]. Savoy took note of Valenti's culinary abilities and sent him over to his signature restaurant in Paris, France to further his skills over the next 15 months.<ref name=autogenerated2 />
Valenti next landed a position at the [[Greenwich, Connecticut]] restaurant being opened by famous French chef [[Guy Savoy (chef)|Guy Savoy]]. Savoy took note of Valenti's culinary abilities and sent him over to his signature restaurant in Paris, France to further his skills over the next 15 months.<ref name=autogenerated2 />


===Gotham Bar & Grill===
===Gotham Bar & Grill===
Upon completion of his internship at Savoy's Paris restaurant, Valenti departed France via [[Charles de Gaulle Airport]] where a friend introduced him to [[Alfred Portale]] who was returning from his own culinary study period. Shortly after returning to the USA, Portale took control of his now famous restaurant, [[Gotham Bar & Grill]], and hired Valenti as his first [[sous-chef]]. It was here that Valenti put to use the precision culinary skills he had developed during his time in France. Valenti would remain at Gotham for 2 years.<ref name=autogenerated1>[http://www.greatchefsusa.com/great_chefs_of_ny/t_valenti/ Great Chefs Of New York - Chef Thomas Valenti<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
Upon completion of his internship at Savoy's Paris restaurant, Valenti departed France via [[Charles de Gaulle Airport]] where a friend introduced him to [[Alfred Portale]] who was returning from his own culinary study period. Shortly after returning to the US, Portale took control of his now famous restaurant, [[Gotham Bar & Grill]], and hired Valenti as his first [[sous-chef]]. It was here that Valenti put to use the precision culinary skills he had developed during his time in France. Valenti would remain at Gotham for 2 years.<ref name=autogenerated1>[http://www.greatchefsusa.com/great_chefs_of_ny/t_valenti/ Great Chefs Of New York Chef Thomas Valenti<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080414213312/http://www.greatchefsusa.com/great_chefs_of_ny/t_valenti/ |date=2008-04-14 }}</ref>


===Executive Chef===
===Executive Chef===
During his time at Gotham, Valenti became friends with the front-of-house manager, Alison Becker. Soon they would collaborate to open ''Alison on Dominick'', Valenti's breakout opportunity as Executive Chef.<ref>[http://www.craveny.com/featuredetails.php?id=24 Crave NEW YORK... the taste of the city<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> In 1989, ''[[Esquire (magazine)|Esquire]]'' magazine called their venture "Best New Restaurant" in New York City. In 1990, ''[[Food & Wine (magazine)|Food & Wine]]'' magazine named Valenti one of the "Ten Best New Chefs" in the country.<ref name=autogenerated1 />
During his time at Gotham, Valenti became friends with the front-of-house manager, Alison Becker. Soon they would collaborate to open ''Alison on Dominick'', Valenti's breakout opportunity as Executive Chef.<ref>[http://www.craveny.com/featuredetails.php?id=24 Crave NEW YORK... the taste of the city<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> In 1989, ''[[Esquire (magazine)|Esquire]]'' magazine called their venture "Best New Restaurant" in New York City. In 1990, ''[[Food & Wine (magazine)|Food & Wine]]'' magazine named Valenti one of the "Ten Best New Chefs" in the country.<ref name=autogenerated1 />


In 1994, after 5 years and much critical acclaim, Valenti and Becker parted ways and he assumed the Executive Chef position at Cascabel where he worked for 2 years before taking off some time from the rigors of kitchen work. In 1998, Valenti assumed the lead position at Ken Aretsky's [[Upper East Side]] bistro ''Butterfield 81.'' Critical acclaim was almost immediate. ''New York Times'' food critic Ruth Reichl declared Valenti a "clairvoyant in the kitchen", describing his "meat-oriented dishes" as "offering exactly what I wanted to eat."<ref>http://events.nytimes.com/mem/nycreview.html?res=9A03E5DA133CF937A15755C0A96E958260</ref> ''[[New York (magazine)|New York]]'' magazine's Gail Greene waxed poetic about the "mythic lamb shanks."<ref>[http://nymag.com/nymetro/food/reviews/insatiable/2889/ Next Up at the Plate<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Valenti would run the kitchen for 2 years before departing to work on his own venture.
In 1994, after 5 years and much critical acclaim, Valenti and Becker parted ways and he assumed the Executive Chef position at Cascabel where he worked for 2 years before taking off some time from the rigors of kitchen work. In 1998, Valenti assumed the lead position at [[Ken Aretsky]]'s [[Upper East Side]] bistro ''Butterfield 81.'' Critical acclaim was almost immediate. ''New York Times'' food critic Ruth Reichl declared Valenti a "clairvoyant in the kitchen", describing his "meat-oriented dishes" as "offering exactly what I wanted to eat."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://events.nytimes.com/mem/nycreview.html?res=9A03E5DA133CF937A15755C0A96E958260|title = RESTAURANTS; A Clairvoyant in the Kitchen|newspaper = The New York Times|date = 24 June 1998|last1 = Reichl|first1 = Ruth}}</ref> ''[[New York (magazine)|New York]]'' magazine's Gail Greene waxed poetic about the "mythic lamb shanks."<ref>[https://nymag.com/nymetro/food/reviews/insatiable/2889/ Next Up at the Plate<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Valenti would run the kitchen for 2 years before departing to work on his own venture.


[[File:Ouest Restaurant.jpg|225px|thumb|right|Ouest Restaurant]]
[[File:Ouest Restaurant.jpg|225px|thumb|right|Ouest Restaurant]]
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===Ouest===
===Ouest===
In the spring of 2001, Valenti opened his signature restaurant ''Ouest'' on the corner of Broadway and 84th street in Manhattan's [[Upper West Side]]. The [[French cuisine|French style]] menu was reminiscent of his days at Butterfield 81, focused on lesser cuts of meat with bold flavors. A converted dry cleaner store, the "L-shaped" interior layout was remodeled by designer Peter Neimetz, focusing on cozy leather booths and soft lighting with balcony alcoves. ''[[The New York Times]]'' awarded ''Ouest'' 2 stars, saying that the "main courses drift toward the comfort zone."<ref>[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9801E5DD1E39F937A35754C0A9679C8B63&scp=1&sq=grimes+ouest&st=nyt "RESTAURANTS; Quickly at Home on the Upper West Side"] ''New York Times''</ref> ''[[New York (magazine)|New York]]'' magazine, in a 3-star review, declares that "Valenti has honed the menu to the point where almost every dish resonates with love-it-in-an-instant flavors."<ref>[http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/ouest/ Ouest - Upper West Side - ''New York'' Magazine Restaurant Guide<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> ''Ouest'' is frequently credited with bringing [[haute cuisine]] to the [[Upper West Side]].<ref name=autogenerated1 /> Ouest closed it doors on June 13, 2015.<ref>http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/15/nyregion/regulars-mourn-closing-of-ouest-another-new-york-restaurant-lost-to-escalating-rent.html</ref>
In the spring of 2001, Valenti opened his signature restaurant ''Ouest'' on the corner of Broadway and 84th street in Manhattan's [[Upper West Side]]. The [[French cuisine|French style]] menu was reminiscent of his days at Butterfield 81, focused on lesser cuts of meat with bold flavors. A converted dry cleaner store, the "L-shaped" interior layout was remodeled by designer Peter Neimetz, focusing on cozy leather booths and soft lighting with balcony alcoves. ''[[The New York Times]]'' awarded ''Ouest'' 2 stars, saying that the "main courses drift toward the comfort zone."<ref>[https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9801E5DD1E39F937A35754C0A9679C8B63&scp=1&sq=grimes+ouest&st=nyt "RESTAURANTS; Quickly at Home on the Upper West Side"] ''New York Times''</ref> ''[[New York (magazine)|New York]]'' magazine, in a 3-star review, declares that "Valenti has honed the menu to the point where almost every dish resonates with love-it-in-an-instant flavors."<ref>[https://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/ouest/ Ouest - Upper West Side - ''New York'' Magazine Restaurant Guide<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> ''Ouest'' is frequently credited with bringing [[haute cuisine]] to the [[Upper West Side]].<ref name=autogenerated1 /> Ouest closed it doors on June 13, 2015.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/15/nyregion/regulars-mourn-closing-of-ouest-another-new-york-restaurant-lost-to-escalating-rent.html|title=Regulars Mourn Closing of Ouest, Another New York Restaurant Lost to Escalating Rent|newspaper=The New York Times|date=14 June 2015|last1=Barron|first1=James}}</ref>

===Oxbow Tavern===
In March 2018, Valenti opened "Oxbow Tavern" on Columbus Ave at 71st St in Manhattan's [[Upper West Side]] neighborhood.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/20/dining/legacy-records-nyc-restaurant-news.html|title=Legacy Records Lends Several Dining Options to Hudson Yards|newspaper=The New York Times|date=20 February 2018|last1=Fabricant|first1=Florence}}</ref>


===Windows of Hope===
===Windows of Hope===
Following the [[September 11, 2001 attacks]], Valenti assembled his good friends Waldy Malouf of Beacon, Michael Lomonaco of [[Windows on the World]] and attorney-restaurant financier David Emil, establishing the Windows of Hope Family Relief Fund dedicated to benefit the surviving family members of victims from the foodservice industry. A "Dine Out" date of October 11, 2001 was established to generate fund contributions. Originally intended as a city-wide restaurant response to a need within their community, news of the event soon spread to other cities and eventually over 5,000 restaurants around the world participated in contributing proceeds from that evening to the fund. Corporate sponsors also contributed to Windows of Hope and, in total, over $23 million were raised to help the families in need.<ref>[http://www.windowsofhope.org Windows Of Hope - Homepage<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
Following the [[September 11, 2001 attacks]], Valenti assembled his good friends Waldy Malouf of Beacon, Michael Lomonaco of [[Windows on the World]] and attorney-restaurant financier David Emil, establishing the Windows of Hope Family Relief Fund dedicated to benefit the surviving family members of victims from the foodservice industry. A "Dine Out" date of October 11, 2001 was established to generate fund contributions. Originally intended as a citywide restaurant response to a need within their community, news of the event soon spread to other cities and eventually over 5,000 restaurants around the world participated in contributing proceeds from that evening to the fund. Corporate sponsors also contributed to Windows of Hope and, in total, over $23 million were raised to help the families in need.<ref>[http://www.windowsofhope.org Windows Of Hope Homepage<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>


In 2005, Valenti continued his charitable efforts in helping to lead the Restaurants for Relief effort to benefit victims of [[Hurricane Katrina]].
In 2005, Valenti continued his charitable efforts in helping to lead the Restaurants for Relief effort to benefit victims of [[Hurricane Katrina]].


[[File:The West Branch Restaurant.jpg|225px|thumb|right|The West Branch]]
[[File:The West Branch Restaurant.jpg|225px|thumb|right|The West Branch]]
[[File:Tom Valenti 04.jpg|225px|thumb|right|Tom Valenti & [[Mario Batali]]]]
[[File:Tom Valenti Andrew Friedman.jpg|225px|thumb|right|Tom Valenti and cookbook co-author Andrew Friedman at the Opening of The West Branch restaurant]]
[[File:Tom Valenti Andrew Friedman.jpg|225px|thumb|right|Tom Valenti and cookbook co-author Andrew Friedman at the Opening of The West Branch restaurant]]
[[File:Valenti Sirio.jpg|225px|thumb|right|Tom & Sirio Maccioni]]
[[File:Valenti Sirio.jpg|225px|thumb|right|Tom & Sirio Maccioni]]
[[File:ValentiRippert.jpg|225px|thumb|right|Tom Valenti and Eric Ripert]]


===Other ventures===
===Other ventures===
In 2003 Valenti opened 'Cesca at Broadway & 75th Street. The menu, a tribute to the cooking style he learned in his grandmother's kitchen, was decidedly [[Italian cuisine|Italian]] in nature and quickly gained notoriety and acclaim.<ref>[http://thestrongbuzz.com/reviews/review_search_results.php?area=&cuisine=&occasion=&rating= reviews » the strong buzz, by andrea strong<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Valenti ran the kitchen at 'Cesca for 3 years until an egregious decision by his business partner led Valenti to sever their relations, trading his interest in 'Cesca for full control of Ouest.
In 2003 Valenti opened 'Cesca at Broadway & 75th Street. The menu, a tribute to the cooking style he learned in his grandmother's kitchen, was decidedly [[Italian cuisine|Italian]] in nature and quickly gained notoriety and acclaim.<ref>[http://thestrongbuzz.com/reviews/review_search_results.php?area=&cuisine=&occasion=&rating= reviews » the strong buzz, by andrea strong<!-- Bot generated title -->]{{Dead link|date=November 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Valenti ran the kitchen at 'Cesca for 3 years until an egregious decision by his business partner led Valenti to sever their relations, trading his interest in 'Cesca for full control of Ouest.


Valenti holds a small interest in the New York location of [http://www.dinosaurbarbque.com Dinosaur Bar-B-Que], a traditional [[barbecue]] restaurant situated under the Riverside Drive bridge on 12th Ave at 131st St.
Valenti holds a small interest in the New York location of [http://www.dinosaurbarbque.com Dinosaur Bar-B-Que], a traditional [[barbecue]] restaurant situated under the Riverside Drive bridge on 125th St.


On October 28, 2008, Valenti opened his new restaurant ''The West Branch'' at Broadway and W. 77th St. in New York City. The restaurant was attached to the [http://www.ontheave-nyc.com On The Ave Hotel]. This restaurant shuttered in August 2010.
On October 28, 2008, Valenti opened his new restaurant ''The West Branch'' at Broadway and W. 77th St. in New York City. The restaurant was attached to the [https://web.archive.org/web/19991128132256/http://www.ontheave-nyc.com/ On The Ave Hotel]. This restaurant shuttered in August 2010.


===Signature dishes===
===Signature dishes===
* Braised Lamb Shanks
* [http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/tom-valentis-lamb-shanks-105869 Braised Lamb Shanks]
* [[gravlax|Salmon Gravlax]]
* [http://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/8864-tom-valentis-low-salt-gravlax Salmon Gravlax]


===Television===
===Television===
*'' [[Martha (TV series)|The Martha Stewart Show]]'' – 3 episodes
*'' [[Martha (TV series)|The Martha Stewart Show]]'' – 3 episodes
* ''[[Today (NBC program)|The Today Show]]'' – 3 episodes<ref>[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/?search=MSNBC&q=Tom+Valenti+today+show&id=11881780&FORM=AE&os=0&gs=1&p=1 Search Results - MSNBC.com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
* ''[[Today (NBC program)|The Today Show]]'' – 3 episodes<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20121022190953/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/?search=MSNBC&q=Tom+Valenti+today+show&id=11881780&FORM=AE&os=0&gs=1&p=1 Search Results - MSNBC.com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
* ''[[The Early Show]]'' – 7 episodes<ref>[http://search.cbsnews.com/?source=cbs&q=tom+valenti CBS News - Search Results<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
* ''[[The Early Show]]'' – 7 episodes<ref>[http://search.cbsnews.com/?source=cbs&q=tom+valenti CBS News Search Results<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
* ''[[Boy Meets Grill]]'' - 1 episode<ref>[http://television.aol.com/episode/braising/boy-meets-grill/200114 Boy Meets Grill - Braising - AOL Television<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
* ''Boy Meets Grill'' - 1 episode<ref>[http://television.aol.com/episode/braising/boy-meets-grill/200114 Boy Meets Grill Braising AOL Television<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>


===Books===
===Books===
Valenti has authored several cookbooks, including:
Valenti has authored several cookbooks, including:
* Tom Valenti: ''Welcome to My Kitchen: A New York Chef Shares His Robust Recipes and Secret Techniques'' William Morrow Cookbooks, ISBN 978-0-06-019819-0
* Tom Valenti: ''Welcome to My Kitchen: A New York Chef Shares His Robust Recipes and Secret Techniques'' William Morrow Cookbooks, {{ISBN|978-0-06-019819-0}}
* Tom Valenti: ''Tom Valenti's Soups, Stews, and One-Pot Meals: 125 Home Recipes from the Chef-Owner of New York City's Ouest and 'Cesca''[[Charles Scribner's Sons|Scribner]], ISBN 978-0-7432-4375-9
* Tom Valenti: ''Tom Valenti's Soups, Stews, and One-Pot Meals: 125 Home Recipes from the Chef-Owner of New York City's Ouest and 'Cesca''[[Charles Scribner's Sons|Scribner]], {{ISBN|978-0-7432-4375-9}}
* Tom Valenti: ''You Don't Have to be Diabetic to Love This Cookbook'' [[Workman Publishing Company|Workman]], ISBN 978-0-7611-5550-8 June 2009
* Tom Valenti: ''You Don't Have to be Diabetic to Love This Cookbook'' [[Workman Publishing Company|Workman]], {{ISBN|978-0-7611-5550-8}} June 2009


===Awards===
===Awards===
* [[Food & Wine Magazine]] - Best new Chef (1990) <ref>[http://www.foodandwine.com/bestnewchefs/?year=1990&chef=82F0F1AE-3029-4C8A-8AD513AB226165F5 Best New Chefs - 1990 - Tom Valenti | Food & Wine<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
* [[Food & Wine Magazine]] - Best new Chef (1990) <ref>[http://www.foodandwine.com/bestnewchefs/?year=1990&chef=82F0F1AE-3029-4C8A-8AD513AB226165F5 Best New Chefs - 1990 - Tom Valenti | Food & Wine<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
* [[James Beard Foundation]] - Best Chef of New York Nominee (2004)<ref>http://www.jamesbeard.org/awards/awards.php?year=2004&category=3#44</ref>
* [[James Beard Foundation]] - Best Chef of New York Nominee (2004)<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.jamesbeard.org/awards/awards.php?year=2004&category=3 |title=2004 JAMES BEARD FOUNDATION RESTAURANT and CHEF AWARDS |access-date=2008-01-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080216024506/http://www.jamesbeard.org/awards/awards.php?year=2004&category=3#44 |archive-date=2008-02-16 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* [[James Beard Foundation]] - Best New Restaurant Nominee (2004)<ref>http://www.jamesbeard.org/awards/awards.php?year=2004&category=3#354</ref>
* [[James Beard Foundation]] - Best New Restaurant Nominee (2004)<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.jamesbeard.org/awards/awards.php?year=2004&category=3 |title=2004 JAMES BEARD FOUNDATION RESTAURANT and CHEF AWARDS |access-date=2008-01-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080216024506/http://www.jamesbeard.org/awards/awards.php?year=2004&category=3#354 |archive-date=2008-02-16 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* [[New York Magazine]] - Top 10 Chefs of the Year (2002)<ref>[http://nymag.com/nymetro/food/industry/chefawards2002/n_7947/ 2002 Chefs Awards<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
* [[New York Magazine]] - Top 10 Chefs of the Year (2002)<ref>[https://nymag.com/nymetro/food/industry/chefawards2002/n_7947/ 2002 Chefs Awards<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
* [[New York Magazine]] – Best Italian Restaurant (2004)<ref>[http://nymag.com/nymetro/food/guides/wheretoeat2004/n_9681/index14.html Where to Eat Now 2004<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
* [[New York Magazine]] – Best Italian Restaurant (2004)<ref>[https://nymag.com/nymetro/food/guides/wheretoeat2004/n_9681/index14.html Where to Eat Now 2004<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>


==Personal life==
==Personal life==


===Early life in Ithaca===
===Early life in Ithaca===
Valenti was born March 27, 1959 in [[Ithaca, New York]] to Louis and Aurora Valenti. His father left at an early age and Valenti was raised by his mother and Italian immigrant maternal grandparents. It was after school in his grandmother Nonni's kitchen that Valenti first learned the craft of cooking traditional Italian dishes.<ref>[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F02E4DA1E3DF933A25751C1A9659C8B63 AT LUNCH WITH: Tom Valenti; For Grandma, With Amore - New York Times<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
Valenti was born March 23rd, 1959, in [[Ithaca, New York]] to Louis and Aurora Valenti. His father left at an early age and Valenti was raised by his mother and Italian immigrant maternal grandparents. It was after school in his grandmother Nonni's kitchen that Valenti first learned the craft of cooking traditional Italian dishes.<ref>[https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F02E4DA1E3DF933A25751C1A9659C8B63 AT LUNCH WITH: Tom Valenti; For Grandma, With Amore - New York Times<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>


===Fly-fishing in the Catskills===
===Fly-fishing in the Catskills===
Valenti is described as a chef who "cooks to live", preferring to spend his time fishing the [[Beaverkill River]] in [[Upstate New York]] where he owns a small seasonal fishing cabin.<ref>[http://www.nyrestaurantinsider.com/august2006_valenti.asp Tom Valenti - North of Ouest by Matt DeLucia<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> He exclusively practices [[catch and release]] [[angling]].<ref>[http://www.restaurantgirl.com/restaurantgirl/2007/04/q_a_with_tom_va.html restaurantgirl<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
Valenti is described as a chef who "cooks to live", preferring to spend his time fishing the [[Beaverkill River]] in [[Upstate New York]] where he owns a small seasonal fishing cabin.<ref>[http://www.nyrestaurantinsider.com/august2006_valenti.asp Tom Valenti North of Ouest by Matt DeLucia<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> He exclusively practices [[catch and release]] [[angling]].<ref>[http://www.restaurantgirl.com/restaurantgirl/2007/04/q_a_with_tom_va.html restaurantgirl<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>


===Family===
===Family===
Valenti lives in Northern [[New Jersey]].
Valenti lives in Northern [[New Jersey]] with his Maine Coon Cat, Cosmo.

==References==
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://lecirque.com Le Cirque]

===Businesses===
* [http://www.ouestny.com Ouest Restaurant]
* [http://www.thewestbranchnyc.com The West Branch Restaurant]
* [http://www.dinosaurbarbque.com Dinosaur Bar-B-Que]
* [http://www.dinosaurbarbque.com Dinosaur Bar-B-Que]
*{{Commons-inline}}
* [http://www.greatchefsusa.com/great_chefs_of_ny/t_valenti/ Private Event Cooking at Great Chefs of New York]


===Articles===
* [http://nymag.com/restaurants/articles/02/valenti1.htm ''New York'' magazine] March 4, 2002
* [http://nymag.com/nymetro/food/homeent/features/n_10179/ ''New York'' magazine] May 21, 2005
* [http://www.craveny.com/featuredetails.php?id=24 Crave New York] May 24, 2005


===Image gallery===
* [http://www.photographybydiana.com/store/search.php?search=%20ouest Diana DeLuca at Restaurant Insider]
* [https://secure.flickr.com/photos/pvsbond/sets/72157603788710928/ Peter Bond at Flickr.com]

===Interviews===
* [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F02E4DA1E3DF933A25751C1A9659C8B63 ''New York Times''] December 10, 2003
* [http://www.nypost.com/seven/04262007/realestate/quest_for_glory_realestate_micki_siegel.htm ''New York Post''] April 26, 2007
* [http://74.54.115.114/node/713 Resident Publications] June 12, 2007
* [http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showforum=43 ''The Daily Gullet''] March 27, 2002
* [http://www.newyorkrestaurantinsider.com/august2006_valenti.asp ''Restaurant Insider'' August 2006]
* [http://www.restaurantinsidermag.com/2008-sept-tom-valenti.asp ''Restaurant Insider'' September 2008]

==References==
{{reflist}}


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}
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[[Category:American people of Italian descent]]
[[Category:American people of Italian descent]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American television chefs]]
[[Category:American television chefs]]
[[Category:American food writers]]
[[Category:American food writers]]
[[Category:People from New York City]]
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[[Category:American cookbook writers]]

Latest revision as of 22:01, 2 December 2024

Tom Valenti
Tom Valenti
Born (1959-03-23) March 23, 1959 (age 65)
Culinary career
Cooking styleFrench, Italian
Rating(s)
Previous restaurant(s)
  • Le Cirque
    Ouest
    West Branch
    Cesa
    Butterfield 81
    Cascabel
    Alison on Dominick
    Gotham Bar & Grill
    Guy Savoy Paris
    Guy Savoy Greenwich

Tom Valenti is the Executive Chef at Jockey Hollow Bar and Kitchen in Morristown NJ. Chef Valenti was formerly the owner and Executive Chef of Oxbow Tavern on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. He is the former Executive Chef of Le Cirque Restaurant in Midtown Manhattan, in New York City.[1] Previously, he was Executive Chef and co-owner of Ouest Restaurant on the Upper West Side of Manhattan which shuttered in 2015. The recipient of many awards for his comfortable cooking style, Valenti is best known for his salmon gravlax and slow-cooked meats, particularly braised lamb shanks. Chef Valenti is the author of 3 cookbooks, "Welcome to my Kitchen", "Soups, Stews and One Pot Meals" as well as "You Don't Have to be Diabetic to Love This Cookbook", dedicated to recipes for diabetic diets. Valenti was the driving force behind the creation of the Windows of Hope Family Relief Fund, established to benefit the surviving family members of foodservice-related victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks.[2]

Professional life

[edit]

Introduction to haute cuisine

[edit]

After graduating from high school, Valenti took a job working pastry at a local Ithaca French restaurant, l'Auberge du Cochon Rouge. Exposure to the traditional Escoffier style of French cooking led him to relocate to Rye, New York where he accepted a job as a private chef to a wealthy family. He was free to design the menu as he pleased with the stipulation that the same meal not be repeated for at least 200 days.[3] This job lasted for 2 years until the couple employing him divorced.

Valenti next landed a position at the Greenwich, Connecticut restaurant being opened by famous French chef Guy Savoy. Savoy took note of Valenti's culinary abilities and sent him over to his signature restaurant in Paris, France to further his skills over the next 15 months.[3]

Gotham Bar & Grill

[edit]

Upon completion of his internship at Savoy's Paris restaurant, Valenti departed France via Charles de Gaulle Airport where a friend introduced him to Alfred Portale who was returning from his own culinary study period. Shortly after returning to the US, Portale took control of his now famous restaurant, Gotham Bar & Grill, and hired Valenti as his first sous-chef. It was here that Valenti put to use the precision culinary skills he had developed during his time in France. Valenti would remain at Gotham for 2 years.[4]

Executive Chef

[edit]

During his time at Gotham, Valenti became friends with the front-of-house manager, Alison Becker. Soon they would collaborate to open Alison on Dominick, Valenti's breakout opportunity as Executive Chef.[5] In 1989, Esquire magazine called their venture "Best New Restaurant" in New York City. In 1990, Food & Wine magazine named Valenti one of the "Ten Best New Chefs" in the country.[4]

In 1994, after 5 years and much critical acclaim, Valenti and Becker parted ways and he assumed the Executive Chef position at Cascabel where he worked for 2 years before taking off some time from the rigors of kitchen work. In 1998, Valenti assumed the lead position at Ken Aretsky's Upper East Side bistro Butterfield 81. Critical acclaim was almost immediate. New York Times food critic Ruth Reichl declared Valenti a "clairvoyant in the kitchen", describing his "meat-oriented dishes" as "offering exactly what I wanted to eat."[6] New York magazine's Gail Greene waxed poetic about the "mythic lamb shanks."[7] Valenti would run the kitchen for 2 years before departing to work on his own venture.

Ouest Restaurant
Windows of Hope Chefs

Ouest

[edit]

In the spring of 2001, Valenti opened his signature restaurant Ouest on the corner of Broadway and 84th street in Manhattan's Upper West Side. The French style menu was reminiscent of his days at Butterfield 81, focused on lesser cuts of meat with bold flavors. A converted dry cleaner store, the "L-shaped" interior layout was remodeled by designer Peter Neimetz, focusing on cozy leather booths and soft lighting with balcony alcoves. The New York Times awarded Ouest 2 stars, saying that the "main courses drift toward the comfort zone."[8] New York magazine, in a 3-star review, declares that "Valenti has honed the menu to the point where almost every dish resonates with love-it-in-an-instant flavors."[9] Ouest is frequently credited with bringing haute cuisine to the Upper West Side.[4] Ouest closed it doors on June 13, 2015.[10]

Oxbow Tavern

[edit]

In March 2018, Valenti opened "Oxbow Tavern" on Columbus Ave at 71st St in Manhattan's Upper West Side neighborhood.[11]

Windows of Hope

[edit]

Following the September 11, 2001 attacks, Valenti assembled his good friends Waldy Malouf of Beacon, Michael Lomonaco of Windows on the World and attorney-restaurant financier David Emil, establishing the Windows of Hope Family Relief Fund dedicated to benefit the surviving family members of victims from the foodservice industry. A "Dine Out" date of October 11, 2001 was established to generate fund contributions. Originally intended as a citywide restaurant response to a need within their community, news of the event soon spread to other cities and eventually over 5,000 restaurants around the world participated in contributing proceeds from that evening to the fund. Corporate sponsors also contributed to Windows of Hope and, in total, over $23 million were raised to help the families in need.[12]

In 2005, Valenti continued his charitable efforts in helping to lead the Restaurants for Relief effort to benefit victims of Hurricane Katrina.

The West Branch
Tom Valenti and cookbook co-author Andrew Friedman at the Opening of The West Branch restaurant
Tom & Sirio Maccioni
Tom Valenti and Eric Ripert

Other ventures

[edit]

In 2003 Valenti opened 'Cesca at Broadway & 75th Street. The menu, a tribute to the cooking style he learned in his grandmother's kitchen, was decidedly Italian in nature and quickly gained notoriety and acclaim.[13] Valenti ran the kitchen at 'Cesca for 3 years until an egregious decision by his business partner led Valenti to sever their relations, trading his interest in 'Cesca for full control of Ouest.

Valenti holds a small interest in the New York location of Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, a traditional barbecue restaurant situated under the Riverside Drive bridge on 125th St.

On October 28, 2008, Valenti opened his new restaurant The West Branch at Broadway and W. 77th St. in New York City. The restaurant was attached to the On The Ave Hotel. This restaurant shuttered in August 2010.

Signature dishes

[edit]

Television

[edit]

Books

[edit]

Valenti has authored several cookbooks, including:

  • Tom Valenti: Welcome to My Kitchen: A New York Chef Shares His Robust Recipes and Secret Techniques William Morrow Cookbooks, ISBN 978-0-06-019819-0
  • Tom Valenti: Tom Valenti's Soups, Stews, and One-Pot Meals: 125 Home Recipes from the Chef-Owner of New York City's Ouest and 'CescaScribner, ISBN 978-0-7432-4375-9
  • Tom Valenti: You Don't Have to be Diabetic to Love This Cookbook Workman, ISBN 978-0-7611-5550-8 June 2009

Awards

[edit]

Personal life

[edit]

Early life in Ithaca

[edit]

Valenti was born March 23rd, 1959, in Ithaca, New York to Louis and Aurora Valenti. His father left at an early age and Valenti was raised by his mother and Italian immigrant maternal grandparents. It was after school in his grandmother Nonni's kitchen that Valenti first learned the craft of cooking traditional Italian dishes.[22]

Fly-fishing in the Catskills

[edit]

Valenti is described as a chef who "cooks to live", preferring to spend his time fishing the Beaverkill River in Upstate New York where he owns a small seasonal fishing cabin.[23] He exclusively practices catch and release angling.[24]

Family

[edit]

Valenti lives in Northern New Jersey with his Maine Coon Cat, Cosmo.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Tom Valenti Has Resigned from le Cirque". 28 March 2017.
  2. ^ Treasure Coast Wine Festival - Vero Beach, Florida Archived 2008-01-13 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ a b New York Metro: Ouest Side Story
  4. ^ a b c Great Chefs Of New York – Chef Thomas Valenti Archived 2008-04-14 at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ Crave NEW YORK... the taste of the city
  6. ^ Reichl, Ruth (24 June 1998). "RESTAURANTS; A Clairvoyant in the Kitchen". The New York Times.
  7. ^ Next Up at the Plate
  8. ^ "RESTAURANTS; Quickly at Home on the Upper West Side" New York Times
  9. ^ Ouest - Upper West Side - New York Magazine Restaurant Guide
  10. ^ Barron, James (14 June 2015). "Regulars Mourn Closing of Ouest, Another New York Restaurant Lost to Escalating Rent". The New York Times.
  11. ^ Fabricant, Florence (20 February 2018). "Legacy Records Lends Several Dining Options to Hudson Yards". The New York Times.
  12. ^ Windows Of Hope – Homepage
  13. ^ reviews » the strong buzz, by andrea strong[permanent dead link]
  14. ^ Search Results - MSNBC.com
  15. ^ CBS News – Search Results
  16. ^ Boy Meets Grill – Braising – AOL Television
  17. ^ Best New Chefs - 1990 - Tom Valenti | Food & Wine
  18. ^ "2004 JAMES BEARD FOUNDATION RESTAURANT and CHEF AWARDS". Archived from the original on 2008-02-16. Retrieved 2008-01-26.
  19. ^ "2004 JAMES BEARD FOUNDATION RESTAURANT and CHEF AWARDS". Archived from the original on 2008-02-16. Retrieved 2008-01-26.
  20. ^ 2002 Chefs Awards
  21. ^ Where to Eat Now 2004
  22. ^ AT LUNCH WITH: Tom Valenti; For Grandma, With Amore - New York Times
  23. ^ Tom Valenti – North of Ouest by Matt DeLucia
  24. ^ restaurantgirl
[edit]