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Food

How celebrated chef David Burke keeps ideas and energy flowing after decades in the business

His 2021 saw three new restaurants, a project in Saudi Arabia, a prestigious entrepreneurial award and the launch of a Wagyu beef operation. Here’s what’s next.

David Burke, the groundbreaking chef and restaurateur who helped pave the way for elevated American restaurant cuisine, is on a roll—despite an ongoing pandemic and several decades in the business.

In the last year alone, he opened three new restaurants, expanded internationally into Saudi Arabia, partnered with Kentucky ranchers to start a Wagyu beef operation and received the 2021 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award for New Jersey. “Resting is not for me,” says Burke, who contends that he still has some kick left.

 

 David Burke
David Burke

Listen as this Energizer bunny of a chef talks about the unique signatures he’s created over the years, today’s must-have menu items, how he’s incorporating golf into his newest restaurant and his plans for a fast casual in 2022.

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