Immigrant of the Day: Wolfgang Puck (Austria)

Wolfgang Johann Puck (born Wolfgang Johann Topfschnig on July 8, 1949) is a chef, restaurateur, and businessman based in Los Angeles. He owns many restaurants, ranging from the upscale Spago, Cut, Chinois, and Postrio restaurants to the casual Wolfgang Puck Café and Wolfgang Puck Express.

Puck started honing his culinary skills in France, before moving to the United States in 1973 at age 24.  After two years at La Tour in Indianapolis, Puck moved to Los Angeles to become chef, part owner and star attraction at the wildly popular restaurant, Ma Maison, a magnet for Hollywood’s rich and famous.  Puck’s success with Ma Maison enabled him to launch an empire that currently includes a string of restaurants, cookbooks, a line of kitchen equipment and appliances sold on HSN, and food products. He caters the official Academy Awards events.

Puck is active in philanthropic endeavors and charitable organizations, founding the Puck-Lazaroff Charitable Foundation in 1982. The foundation supports the annual American Wine & Food Festival which benefits Meals on Wheels and has raised more than $15 million since its inception.

Wolfgang Puck’s motto is “Live, Love, Eat!”.  Click here for his official website.

KJ