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Wolfgang PuckChef and businessman
Date of Birth: 08.07.1949
Country:  USA |
Biography of Wolfgang Puck
Early Life and Education
Wolfgang Johann Puck was born on July 8, 1949, in Sankt Veit an der Glan, Austria. His father, a butcher, left the family before Wolfgang's birth, and his mother worked as a pastry chef. In 1956, his mother married Josef Puck, who later adopted Wolfgang. It was his mother who taught him the culinary arts, and at the age of 14, he went to Le Bo-de-Provence, France, to apprentice under chef Raymond Thuilier. He then worked at the Hotel de Paris in Monaco and the restaurant Maxim in Paris.
Career in the United States
At the age of 25, Wolfgang decided to move to the United States. He worked at the La Tour restaurant in Indianapolis for two years before relocating to Los Angeles, where he became the chef and co-owner of Ma Maison. In 1981, he published his first culinary book, which focused on French cuisine in America. In 1982, he opened his own restaurant, Spago, which became immensely successful. His signature dish, smoked salmon pizza with caviar, brought him widespread fame. Wolfgang's restaurant empire continued to expand, and he gained recognition beyond America's borders. In 2004, his Spago restaurant in Beverly Hills received numerous awards and was named one of the top 40 restaurants in the United States.
Wolfgang Puck Companies
The incredible success of Spago allowed Wolfgang to establish the Wolfgang Puck Companies, which now owns over 20 restaurants, premium catering services, and trades products and kitchenware, including canned goods and recipe books.
Television and Other Ventures
In addition to his career as a restaurateur, Wolfgang Puck also gained popularity on television. He hosted various culinary shows and made appearances in several TV series, often portraying himself. He appeared in shows such as "Celebrity Cooking Showdown" and served as a judge on "Top Chef," "The Next Food Network Star," and "Hell's Kitchen." Wolfgang also appeared in commercials alongside celebrities such as Jack Nicholson and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Philanthropy and Awards
Wolfgang Puck is actively involved in philanthropy. He co-founded the Puck-Lazaroff Charitable Foundation, which sponsors the American Wine & Food Festival to raise funds for the Meals on Wheels program. The foundation has raised nearly $15 million. Additionally, Wolfgang serves as the honorary chef-chair of the Five Star Sensation benefit, held in Cleveland every two years to support the Ireland Cancer Center. He has received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career, including being inducted into the National Restaurant Association's Hall of Fame in 1993 and receiving two Michelin stars for his Spago Beverly Hills restaurant in 2005. In 2002, he won a Daytime Emmy Award for his show "Wolfgang Puck."
Personal Life
Wolfgang Puck is married to designer Gelila Assefa and has a deep love for almond cookies. His motto in life is "Live, love, eat!"
