The culinary world was shaken when Daniel Humm and Will Guidara, the power duo behind the acclaimed Eleven Madison Park, announced their separation. Months later, Daniel Humm opened his new restaurant, Davies & Brook, and offered insights into the split and his evolving personal life in an interview with Vanity Fair. This article delves into the reasons behind their parting and Humm’s subsequent journey.
Humm drew parallels between his split with Will Guidara and a previous separation from Danny Meyer, the restaurateur who entrusted Humm with the kitchen at Eleven Madison Park and significantly contributed to redefining fine dining with an American sensibility.
“I’ve always been willing to risk everything to have creative freedom,” Humm stated, highlighting his dedication to artistic expression in his culinary endeavors.
Following a transformative journey to India after extensive renovations at EMP, Humm returned determined to drastically “edit” his life, including a new phone and a significantly reduced contact list, indicating a desire for fundamental change. This trip and the resulting introspection led him to Laurene Powell, whom he describes as “the most incredible person I have ever met.” Powell, the founder of the Emerson Collective, majority owner of The Atlantic, and widow of Steve Jobs, became a significant influence in Humm’s life.
That pivotal trip to India provided Humm with “perspective and clarity,” steering him on a “path that led me to her.” He acknowledges that Powell has “allowed me to see myself more clearly, and I get to be more myself by knowing her,” emphasizing her profound impact on his personal growth. The Vanity Fair article marked the first time Humm or Powell publicly addressed their relationship. Reflecting on the timing and their connection, Humm described it as “kind of magical.”
Beyond the “incredible energy and partnership and love,” Humm highlighted a shift in his values, transitioning from the pursuit of commercial success, which he undoubtedly achieved at EMP, toward a stronger focus on creative ambition. He expressed that he is “getting to the place where I can create what I want to create.” Humm clarified that he funded his buyout with the assistance of a long-time investor, emphasizing that Powell was not involved financially.
Regarding his split with NoMad partners, Humm stated clearly, “At the end of the day, we just could not see eye to eye,” in an Instagram post, suggesting fundamental disagreements on the direction of the partnership.
Addressing the separation with Humm, Guidara commented, “I’m incredibly proud of what we built together and know that a piece of me and my approach to service and hospitality will always remain at Eleven Madison Park and the other restaurants. But over the last few years, our visions around how we wanted to run the restaurants were no longer aligned, so we made the decision to go our separate ways.” This statement highlights differing perspectives on the operational aspects of their restaurants as a key factor in their decision to part ways.
Looking forward, Humm describes his new London restaurant, Davies & Brook, as representing “the three-star dining of the future,” hinting at an innovative and forward-thinking approach to his culinary creations.
In conclusion, the split between Daniel Humm and Will Guidara appears to have stemmed from diverging visions regarding the operation and creative direction of their restaurants. Humm’s pursuit of creative freedom, coupled with a transformative personal journey and a new relationship, has paved the way for a new chapter in his career, marked by a renewed focus on artistic expression and innovative culinary concepts.
