Chef Yann Nury
We have had the pleasure of working with Chef Yann Nury in many capacities--including a Vogue100 Fashion Week Event at The Future Perfect gallery in New York City. Over the summer, Chef transformed a 1971 Airstream into a one-of-a-kind kitchen boasting modernist Pierre Jeanneret and Le Corbusier stools, E. Dehillerin cookware, reclaimed oak countertops, and floors, Charlotte Perriand light fixtures, and a 700-pound Grillworks Langelier Elite 42 affixed to the back end.
Chef has hosted glamorous backyard parties for clients from the East to West Coast, including the Hamptons, Nantucket, Washington D.C. Philadelphia, Rhode Island, Texas, Miami, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. The menus range from duck à l’orange hot dogs and uni grilled cheese sandwiches to grilled oysters with Ibérico ham and truffle-topped artichokes. The sky (or the road) is the limit!
Where are you from originally? I am from Ardeche, France, a town with 8,000 people where I grew up surrounded by what I realized much later was incredible food and ingredients.
When did you become interested in food or know you wanted to become a Chef? I fell in love with fine dining at age 7, my first and only 3 Michelin star experience, at Restaurant Pic in Valence. I asked my parent to not have the kid’s menu and my mother let me have the entire meal, like them. I will never forget the level of refinement, the dance of the waiters, it was not only food, but it was also this world I wanted to be part of. I studied and worked in the field for 10 years before embracing the cooking side of it, which is what I was always meant to do
Where did you study? I studied in Lyon and Paris, Hospitality and Business School.
How did you find yourself in NYC? I always knew since I was young that I will come and live here. I came for a 6-month internship, and I never left.
Who were your mentors? Really more people in the Fashion world, or Business world, I admire people that transform their vision into their world and this world into a Business, Ralph Lauren would be my mentor in that sense.
You are living the American Dream-- on an extended road trip, hosting glamorous events from coast to coast, from the comfort of your glamorous Airstream. What has been your favorite state to visit or event to host? I am definitely living the American dream at all levels… Texas is a big favorite of wine, Medina near San Antonio was the absolute best dinner we did, we also love driving through Colorado, and I adorer the reflection of Palm trees and the ocean on the silver airstream.
What do you miss most about France? First thing you do when landing back home? Asparagus in Season, Poulet de Bresse, and the art that french People have to enjoy life…
When you are not cooking professionally, what do you cook for yourself or your family? Go-to meals? Always light the grill or the fireplace to cook on, steaks, whole chicken, and adoration for tacos (hand-made tortillas, salsa all the way!)
Favorite restaurants, cafes, bars, etc in NYC or across the U.S.? Sushi Noz, Pasquale Jones, Cosme, La Esquina takeaway for lunch, Strip House.
Favorite road trip food? Potato Chips and Kit Kats.
Where do you dream of traveling next? Morocco, but I need to find an event to do there, I dream of cooking a feast in a remote desert setting.
Most inspiring city or country for food/dining? Japan and Mexico are the two best places for food in the world to me.
Favorite artists or designers? Endless list, but I would say Tilmans, Calder, Perriand, Urs Fischer, Jean Prouve are huge inspirations.
What do you listen to while cooking or driving? Changes every day from Country to Electronic, from Rap to Classical.
Do you have a signature menu item? One of my personal favorites is your caviar topped tater tots! That one is also a favorite, I also love the tomatoes and caviar with wild vanilla.
My favorite story of yours was flying Bresse chickens private in Rimowa suitcases. Any interesting stories you can share from the past year? All I will say is when there is a will, there is a way, this is what I want to be remembered for, making things happen.
The nomad life suits you, but any plans to settle down or set up a shop in the future? What’s next for you? Hamptons 2021, a residency for 4 months, and in September opening of our space (3 years in the making) on Crosby Street, and 2022 San Francisco…
Text: Veronica H. Speck Photo: Courtesy of Galerie Magazine Follow: @yannnurynyc