Wolfgang Puck facts for kids
Puck in 2012
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| Born | Wolfgang Topfschnig July 8, 1949 Sankt Veit an der Glan, Austria |
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| Cooking style | California, French, and fusion |
| Spouse |
Marie France Trouillot
(m. 1975; div. 1980)Barbara Lazaroff
(m. 1983; div. 2003)Gelila Assefa
(m. 2007) |
Wolfgang Johannes Puck (born July 8, 1949) is a famous Austrian chef and restaurateur. He is known for his amazing cooking and for opening many popular restaurants. He helped create a style of cooking called California cuisine.
Contents
Early Life and Learning to Cook
Wolfgang Puck was born in Sankt Veit an der Glan, Austria. He learned to cook from his mother, who was a pastry chef. A pastry chef is someone who bakes delicious desserts. He later took the last name Puck from his stepfather.
When he was young, Wolfgang trained with famous chefs in Europe. He worked at places like L'Oustau de Baumanière in France. He also trained at the fancy Hôtel de Paris in Monaco. These experiences taught him a lot about cooking.
Wolfgang's Cooking Career
In 1973, when he was 24, Wolfgang Puck moved to the United States. He worked in Indianapolis for two years. Then, he moved to Los Angeles. There, he became the chef and part-owner of a restaurant called Ma Maison.
Opening Spago
After writing his first cookbook in 1981, Wolfgang opened his most famous restaurant, Spago. It opened in 1982 on the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles. Spago quickly became very popular.
In 1997, Spago moved to Beverly Hills. It has won many awards. People say Spago made Wolfgang Puck one of the most famous chefs ever. His cooking style mixes French ideas with fresh California ingredients.
Helping Others with Food
Wolfgang Puck also cares about helping people. In 1982, he started a charity foundation. It's called the Puck-Lazaroff Charitable Foundation. This foundation helps organize a big event called the American Wine & Food Festival.
This festival raises money for Meals on Wheels. Meals on Wheels is a program that delivers food to people who can't easily leave their homes. Wolfgang's foundation has raised over $15 million to help others.
Famous Dishes
One of Wolfgang Puck's most famous dishes is a special pizza. It's a house-smoked salmon pizza. This dish became a signature item at his original Spago restaurant.
Wolfgang's Personal Life
Wolfgang Puck married Barbara Lazaroff in 1983. They had two sons named Cameron and Byron. They later divorced in 2003. Barbara Lazaroff helped start the Wolfgang Puck restaurants. She also designed their beautiful interiors.
Wolfgang became a citizen of the U.S. in 1999. His favorite sweet treat is macarons.
Awards and Special Honors
Wolfgang Puck has received many awards for his cooking. These awards show how talented he is.
- In 1985, he won a Golden Plate Award. This award is given to people who have achieved great things.
- In 1993, Spago Hollywood was added to the Nation's Restaurant News Fine Dining Hall of Fame. This means it was recognized as one of the best restaurants.
- In 1994, Spago won the James Beard Restaurant of the Year Award. The James Beard Awards are like the "Oscars" for chefs.
- In 2002, Wolfgang won a Daytime Emmy Award. This was for his TV show called Wolfgang Puck.
- Spago Beverly Hills received two Michelin stars in 2008 and 2009. Michelin stars are a very high honor for restaurants.
- In 2013, Wolfgang was added to the Culinary Hall of Fame.
- On April 26, 2017, Wolfgang Puck received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. This star honors his work in television.
Wolfgang Puck's Restaurants
Wolfgang Puck has opened many restaurants around the world. Here are some of them:
- Spago: His first and most famous restaurant. It started in Los Angeles and now has locations in places like Las Vegas and Singapore.
- CUT: These restaurants are known for their delicious steaks. You can find them in Beverly Hills, London, and New York City.
- Chinois on Main: Located in Santa Monica, California, this restaurant mixes Asian flavors with California cooking.
- Wolfgang Puck Kitchen: These are more casual restaurants found in places like Shanghai and Florida.
- Wolfgang Puck Kitchen + Bar: You can find these at airports, offering tasty food for travelers.
Past Restaurants
Wolfgang has also had other restaurants that are now closed. Some of these include:
- Five-Sixty: This restaurant in Dallas closed in 2020.
- Postrio: Known for its creative food, it was open from 1989 to 2009.
- Granita: A seafood restaurant in Malibu, California, open from 1991 to 2005.
Wolfgang on TV and in Movies
Wolfgang Puck has appeared in many TV shows and movies. Often, he plays himself.
| Year(s) | Title | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Who's the Boss? | Himself | |
| 2000–02 | Frasier | Himself/Tom | |
| 2002 | The Simpsons | Guest Star | |
| 2004 | Iron Chef America | Himself | |
| 2011 | The Smurfs | Chef Smurf | |
| 2011–14 | Hell's Kitchen | Guest Judge | |
| 2016 | MasterChef | Guest Judge | |
| 2021 | Wolfgang | Himself | A documentary about his life |
Wolfgang Puck's Companies
Wolfgang Puck has a big business empire. It includes his restaurants, catering services, and cookbooks. These are managed by the Wolfgang Puck Companies. This group has three main parts:
- Wolfgang Puck Fine Dining Group: For his fancy restaurants.
- Wolfgang Puck Catering: For events and parties.
- Wolfgang Puck Worldwide, Inc.: For his products and other ventures.
See also
In Spanish: Wolfgang Puck para niños
