Will Guidara

William "Will" Guidara (born November 25, 1979) is a restaurateur based in New York City. Along with chef Daniel Humm, Guidara is co-owner of the hospitality group Make It Nice, established in 2011, which owns and operates Eleven Madison Park, The NoMad, and The NoMad Bar.

Background and career

A native of Sleepy Hollow, New York, Will has been immersed in the restaurant industry for much of his life. He graduated from the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration in 2001. Guidara began his dining room career at Wolfgang Puck's Spago in Beverly Hills. Moving back to New York to work for Danny Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group, Guidara worked at Tabla, Cafe 2, and the restaurants at the Museum of Modern Art up until 2005.

In 2006 Guidara became the general manager of Eleven Madison Park, where he and Chef Daniel Humm, spearheaded the transformation of the restaurant from a French brasserie to a fine dining destination. In 2011, Guidara and Humm purchased the restaurant from Union Square Hospitality Group.^[1] Under Guidara's leadership the restaurant has evolved into one of the most respected restaurants in the world.

In 2012, Guidara and Humm opened the critically acclaimed NoMad in The NoMad Hotel and the separate NoMad Bar in 2014. The property has been credited with revitalizing the North of Madison Square Park neighborhood.^[2][3]

Events and appearances

Guidara, along with Anthony Rudolf, is the co-founder of the Welcome Conference, an annual hospitality-focused symposium launched in 2014.^[4][5] He is also a founding member of the New York City Dining Room Collaborative^[6] and has been a guest speaker at the 92nd Street Y, Mistura and Mesamerica culinary festivals, Google,^[7] Cornell University, and The Culinary Institute of America.

Writings

Guidara is the co-author of two cookbooks with Chef Daniel Humm: Eleven Madison Park: The Cookbook (Little Brown, 2011)^[8] and I Love New York: Ingredients and Recipes (Ten Speed, 2013).^[9] The pair plan to release The NoMad Cookbook in the fall of 2015.^[10]

Reviews and accolades

Both Eleven Madison Park and The NoMad have been recipients of James Beard Foundation Awards, Michelin Guide Stars, landed on The World's 50 Best Restaurants List, are among the top rated restaurants in New York by Zagat,^[11][12] and have appeared in such publications as The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Food & Wine, and Bon Appétit.

Eleven Madison Park

• Michelin Guide - Three Stars, 2012-2015^[13]
• AAA Five Diamond Award, 2013-2014^[14]
• Wine Spectator Grand Award, 2011-2014^[15]
• Forbes Travel Guide - Five Stars, 2010-2014^[16]
• Ranked #5 on S. Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants, 2015 ^[17]
• Ranked #4 on S. Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants, 2014^[18]
• Ranked #5 on S. Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants, 2013^[18]
• Ranked #10 on S. Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants, 2012^[18]
• Ranked #24 on S. Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants, 2011^[18]
• James Beard Foundation Award - Outstanding Restaurant, 2011^[19]
• The New York Times - Four Stars, 2015 ^[20] and 2009^[21]

The NoMad

• Michelin Guide - One Star, 2013-2015^[13]
• James Beard Foundation Award - Outstanding Bar, 2014^[19]
• Ranked #68 on S. Pellegrino World's Best Restaurants, 2014^[18]
• The New York Times - Three Stars, 2012^[22]

References