From Sleepy Hollow, New York, Will Guidara, born on November 25, 1979, didn’t initially envision a career as a fine dining restaurateur. Despite graduating from Cornell University’s prestigious School of Hotel Administration, he found fine dining unappealing, perceiving it as dull and pretentious. However, his journey, starting with restaurant work at age thirteen and culinary school in Spain, eventually led him to train at Spago in Beverly Hills and ultimately become a leader in modern luxury dining, significantly influencing Will Guidara Restaurants.
After six years with the Union Square Hospitality Group, Guidara, in 2011, partnered with Daniel Humm to purchase Eleven Madison Park, where he served as General Manager. In early 2012, the duo launched the food and beverage operations at The NoMad Hotel, followed by The NoMad Bar in 2014, which gained recognition as one of the World’s Best Bars. In 2017, they introduced Made Nice, a counter-service restaurant in the NoMad neighborhood, and in 2018, a second NoMad location opened in Downtown Los Angeles. These ventures helped define the landscape of Will Guidara restaurants.
Under the guidance of Guidara and Humm, Eleven Madison Park achieved remarkable accolades, including four stars from The New York Times, three Michelin stars, and the top spot on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2017. The restaurant also received seven James Beard awards, recognizing its Outstanding Service and status as Outstanding Restaurant in America. These achievements highlight the dedication to excellence that is synonymous with Will Guidara restaurants.
Will and Daniel have co-authored four cookbooks: Eleven Madison Park: The Cookbook, I Love New York: Ingredients and Recipes, The NoMad Cookbook, and Eleven Madison Park: The Next Chapter. The limited edition, deluxe Eleven Madison Park: The Next Chapter, features hand-signed copies, two hardback volumes, over 100 recipes, watercolour illustrations, and photography of dishes from the restaurant. This cookbook offers insight into the culinary philosophy behind Will Guidara restaurants.
Guidara’s perspective on fine dining emphasizes its nobility and importance. He felt that formal dining environments often lacked a human element. His goals are to create best-in-class restaurants and to promote the idea that “working in service is super cool and that there’s nobility in serving.” He values connecting with people and emphasizes communication with the kitchen. He aims to ensure that guests feel comfortable at Eleven Madison Park and that his staff understands “service is more noble than just serving food.” This philosophy underpins the success of Will Guidara restaurants.
Transforming a meal into an experience, Guidara strives to create magic. His approach involves understanding guests and fostering informality, moving away from the rigid service styles of the past. This modern approach to hospitality has become a hallmark of Will Guidara restaurants, setting them apart in the competitive fine dining industry. This vision redefined the dining experience, making Will Guidara restaurants synonymous with innovation and impeccable service.
