André Soltner

André Soltner (November 20, 1932 – January 18, 2025) was a French-American chef and author. Internationally recognized, he was based in the United States and was considered one of America's first superstar chefs.^[1]

Background

Soltner was born in Alsace, France, on November 20, 1932. He started his career at the age of 15 at the Hôtel du Parc, Mulhouse, in his native Alsace and later became chef-owner of New York City's French restaurant Lutèce, which achieved a four-star rating from The New York Times.^[2] Soltner missed only five days of work in 34 years at Lutèce.^[3]

Soltner died at a hospital in Charlottesville, Virginia, on January 18, 2025, at the age of 92.^[4]

Career and achievements

Soltner received more than 25 awards, including the French government's prestigious Légion d'honneur and Officier du Mérite National. Highlights of his other recognitions include the James Beard Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award, Meilleur Ouvrier de France, and the Chevalier du Mérite Agricole

Soltner was a member of several culinary organizations, including the American Institute of Wine & Food, for which he and his wife Simone established the André and Simone Soltner Food Education Scholarship to support applicants pursuing a culinary career. Soltner was a member of the American Culinary Federation, the Chef de Cuisine Association of America, and the Société de Cuisiniers de France. He also served for more than 20 years as Délegué Général of the Maîtres Cuisiniers de France (Master Chefs of France) and was a trustee of the Société Culinaire Philanthropique. Additionally he co-authored The Lutèce Cookbook.

On 13 May 2010, Soltner, along with other chefs from the French Culinary Institute (now known as The International Culinary Center) (Jacques Pepin, Jacques Torres and Alain Sailhac), prepared a $30,000-per-couple dinner for U.S. President Barack Obama's fund-raiser for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee at Manhattan's St. Regis Hotel.^[5]

Soltner served as Dean of Classic Studies at the French Culinary Institute, part of the new International Culinary Center in New York City.

References

^ Asimov, Eric (11 February 2004). "C'est la Fin! Lutèce Closing After 43 Years". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
^ "French Culinary Institute , Faculty & Staff". Frenchculinary.com. Archived from the original on 5 March 2006. Retrieved 27 April 2011.
^ richman, alan (2009). "Kitchen Savant (page 4 of 7)". gq.com. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
^ "André Soltner, Famed Chef at New York's Lutèce, Dies at 92". The New York Times. 18 January 2025. Retrieved 18 January 2025.
^ "After beating up Wall Street 'fat cats,' President Obama ready to take their money in NY fund-raiser". Daily News. New York. 13 May 2010. Retrieved 27 April 2011.

External links

[1] Asimov, Eric (11 February 2004). "C'est la Fin! Lutèce Closing After 43 Years". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 30 May 2021.

[2] "French Culinary Institute , Faculty & Staff". Frenchculinary.com. Archived from the original on 5 March 2006. Retrieved 27 April 2011.

[michael_carlson_schwa-3] richman, alan (2009). "Kitchen Savant (page 4 of 7)". gq.com. Retrieved 3 August 2011.

[4] "André Soltner, Famed Chef at New York's Lutèce, Dies at 92". The New York Times. 18 January 2025. Retrieved 18 January 2025.

[5] "After beating up Wall Street 'fat cats,' President Obama ready to take their money in NY fund-raiser". Daily News. New York. 13 May 2010. Retrieved 27 April 2011.

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