/ Reviews / Interview
Jean Georges, Celebrity Chef and Restaurateur
by
on Friday, October 23, 2009 12:00 AM
You've been coming to Shanghai for many years. What is the most interesting change you have noticed?
Everything. I first came to Shanghai about eight years ago at the very beginning of the restaurant project. I went to the market and the only herb I could find was cilantro. This was a problem. I needed basil, parsley, thyme and others, but I couldn't find them anywhere. So I sent seeds over to a local farmer about 20 minutes outside the city to begin growing the herbs I needed. I still get a lot of my herbs from this farm today.
You recently opened a pizza restaurant in New York. If you could open any type of restaurant in any city, what and where would it be?
Well, I have always loved Tokyo, but maybe another concept in Shanghai first. The Pizza Co. in New York was a surprise venture with my baker. It would be a good idea to bring it to Shanghai, too. The pizzas are made from a bread dough and have different toppings, not always cheese and tomato sauce. The pepperoni pizza, for instance, is not made with a tomato sauce but a red pepper puree and then a few pepperoni slices. This makes it a real pepperoni pizza, yeah?
Sounds delicious. You seem very softly spoken and charming. If we were to step into your kitchen during a busy dinner service would we find the same man?
No! There would be yelling, screaming, throwing of pots (he laughs). No, of course not. I am demanding and very disciplined, but I'm also respectful of people. I want them to enjoy their work. You have to teach and respect. There may be a boiling point during the night, but you can't be nasty.
So, when you are not in the kitchen， what do you like to do to enjoy Shanghai?
I like to go out at night and enjoy a drink and conversation with friends while taking in the great city views. Shanghai really has some of the best city views. I can be a morning person when I have to be, but I'm generally a night guy. This past week I went to Bar Rouge and New Heights, but I also enjoy hanging out in the smaller bohemian bars and cafés around town.
