Would you ask for a "celebrity chef's" autography?
Earlier this week I gave a newly opened celebrity chef owned burger joint a try. As we were finishing up, the women sitting next to us began berating the server as to the whereabouts of the chef, going so far to ask when he might be back in the restaurant.
It being said that the establishment is a quick service restaurant, would you ask the chef in attendance to sign your menu? What about a multiple star celebrity chef run Manhattan outpost, would you think this appropriate there? I personally find it both tacky and unnecessary, but I also haven't asked for an autograph since my childhood Disneyland days. What about you?
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36 Comments:
Personally, I find autographs to be pretty silly as a general rule. My dad did score a James Beard signature on his "Beard on Bread" hardcover...so...I guess that's something.
lawofmurphy at 1:05PM on 04/02/09
If I enjoyed the meal I would ask them to sign the menu - looks cool framed. But I wouldnt wait outside the back door until 12:30 and ambush them.
BiereBeer at 1:06PM on 04/02/09
No, I think asking ANYONE for an autograph is tacky. Just my opinion.
arm1970 at 1:19PM on 04/02/09
No, probably not. Then again, I've never been near, let alone eaten in celebrity-chef restaurants. If I did and I had a chance to say hi, I think that might be cool. My bf said he hit up a Wolfgang Puck quick-service type place so often when he was on a business trip once (like, every day-twice a day) that when the chef did show up, the staff sent him over to say hi to my bf.
joyyy at 1:25PM on 04/02/09
My aunt collects cookbooks and whenever she buys one from a restaurant she asks who is in the back and if anyone back there would sign her book. This can be a bit confusing as the waiter/hostess will say the chef is not present, but she emphasizes that that is of no consequence and would they please ask people to sign it anyway. Sometimes they say no, or they are too busy, but sometimes the person is into it and takes the book and pen to the kitchen and as a result she has an awesome collection of autographs by line cooks, dishwashers, prep cooks, sous chefs, waitstaff and bartenders and almost none by the chefs themselves.
There is nothing tacky about it, she has worked in the industry and happily acknowledges her respect for the people actually making the food. She makes lots of people feel good. My aunt is awesome.
intheyearofthepig at 1:29PM on 04/02/09
I love the cookbook signing story! What a fun idea, although I don't think I'd have the guts to convince a host to do it. I do have several signed cookbooks, which I love, and under the right circumstances, I could see asking a chef to sign a menu. I wouldn't expect Bobby Flay to sign anything for Bobby's Burger Bar, though.
cyberroo at 1:41PM on 04/02/09
If I would run into Tyler Florence, Jamie Oliver, Rocco Di Spirito, heck, even Mario Batali or Giada and I had my camera with me, I would ask them to take a picture with me... that's if the moment seemed right. Autographs??? maybe only to sign a cook book...
MadelynRodriguez at 1:48PM on 04/02/09
it depends on the situation. if i were to run into one of them at an event or even on the street i might ask for a picture or an autograph, but its not like i would berate the people at 'wichcraft where tom colicchio is. he probably has never even been in every outpost.
allot at 1:52PM on 04/02/09
If I went to a book signing, I'd expect an autograph on the book, or if it was an event where the chef was a speaker and there was an autograph session after, I'd like to have a book signed. Just an autograph, probably not, though. A scrap of paper with someone's name doesn't mean anything to me, but having a book signed is somehow different. If I was at the restaurant and the chef was there milling around and chatting with people and spending time at tables, I'd ask for a signature if I had a book, but I don't normally go out to dinner carrying a cookbook. Maybe if it was for sale there, I'd buy one to get it signed, though.
But if the chef was busy, I wouldn't expect him to stop what he was doing just to sign an autograph. And I don't expect every celebrity chef or any business owner to be at his place of business 24-7. Unless it's a very small business, owners have other things to attend to.
dbcurrie at 2:19PM on 04/02/09
I always imagine that if I met a celebrity chef that I adored I wouldn't want to be tacky and ask for an autograph.
I would much rather share a passionate conversation over a dinner table...
with food :D
hungrychristel at 2:25PM on 04/02/09
I've asked for (and received) Anthony Bourdain and Chris Cosentino's autograph and photo. To my credit, it was at a book release event and I wasn't interrupting them.
I know it's schlocky, but it was worth it. ;)
yogurtsoda at 2:32PM on 04/02/09
No, but then, I wouldn't ask anyone for an autograph. I honestly don't care much for celebrity anything, so, well - no.
brooke29 at 2:39PM on 04/02/09
@lawofmurphy: i'm really, really jealous of your dad.
in general tho, i'm not that into autographs (cookbook signings notwithstanding-that's more legitimate to me)
however, if i ever met alton brown i might ask him to sharpie up my chest with his john han--er, signature.
gastronomeg at 2:40PM on 04/02/09
@yogurtsoda - cool!
hungrychristel at 2:51PM on 04/02/09
I've met/seen a couple celebrities out and about by luck and haven't asked for their autographs. Celebrity chefs would not be any different.
That aside if I ran into Alton Brown, Mario Batalli, Jaimie Oliver, Anthony Bourdain, or Bobby Flay at a book signing or something I would probably have them sign whatever they were signing and try to get a picture with them.
If I ran into Giada I'd probably just turn into a 215 pound gibber-jabbering pile of idiot until she told me to go away.
joeqboo at 2:53PM on 04/02/09
If it's a celebrity chef I like, I'd ask for an autograph. I see nothing wrong with it. If it were Sandra Lee, I'd autograph a tomato just before hurling at her.
therealchiffonade at 3:02PM on 04/02/09
Just an autograph, I don't think so.. from a celebrity chef or a "regular" celebrity. I have met a few of them, and never asked for one, though my friends and family always wish I had.
Though I did spend a day in line to get a cookbook signed by Gordon Ramsay a couple of years ago. My kids thought it would be cool, and I had nothing on for the day, so off I went.
jason at 3:40PM on 04/02/09
My hubby and I love to dine out. We've eaten at celebrity chef restaurants and we've met some very nice and talented chefs who wouldn't dream of calling themselves a celebrity. In the times we've had a chance to meet the chef and speak with them about their business, it never once occurred to us to ask for an autograph or picture. Perhaps, I should mention that when we go out to dine we don't bring along a camera and cookbook. lol, I know there are plenty of food bloggers who do lug around their Nikons and Canons and I thank you for all the images that I've drooled over.
wookie at 5:29PM on 04/02/09
If I had a (cook)book of theirs with me, no doubt; but then again, I collect signed books. So far I don't have any famous chefs' signatures (although I do have an autographed Elements of Cooking from Michael Ruhlman, and I did meet Adam Roberts at the Baltimore Book Festival), but I'd be willing to ask. And clearly, if I'm going to a restaurant where there's a tiny possibility of meeting one, I'd bring the book.
kfarrel3 at 6:14PM on 04/02/09
@chiffy~priceless.
dearrie at 6:27PM on 04/02/09
Wow so many comments! As Cyberroo pointed out, yes, this did occur at Bobby Flay's new burger "palace." Clearly, this is all circumstantial though, but given this situation, you'd understand my distaste for the act at hand. Although, yes, If I was going to a book signing - or a panel discussion - or somewhere this behavior was expected, it wouldn't be tacky or unnecessary. However, I don't put Bobby Flay on the same level as other food professionals who are less recognized but far more talented (in my opinion). I'd be more chef shocked/autograph crazy over someone like Judy Rogers...
Mdotmet at 6:35PM on 04/02/09
If I ran into Giada or Sandra Lee, I'd ask for their phone number :-0
dmcavanagh at 7:05PM on 04/02/09
I have never requested an autograph. I have purchased a few cookbooks when traveling. Our servers have said on more than one occasion, it is customary at their restaurant to have the chef sign the cookbooks purchased by diners. Okay, knock yourself out.
izatryt at 7:08PM on 04/02/09
At book signings or events, I'd probably ask. I dont think I'd wait in a huge line though. But honestly, I'd rather have a cool conversation with them. And maybe a photo.
engmcmuffin at 7:42PM on 04/02/09
I'd love to have Alton Brown's autograph.
buffy at 7:44PM on 04/02/09
I don't know if I'd call him a celebrity chef, but he is a famous one (and a damn good one, I might add) . . . .I got Thomas Keller to sign my French Laundry cookbook when we dined there a few years ago--the waitstaff OFFERED to take me back to the kitchen to meet him and I was so bold as to even ask for (and get) a photo. However, I was writing a travel story on the Napa Valley area at the time, so maybe that helped. But then again, he seemed nice enough and probably would have done it anyway. It's gotten wildly expensive, but I still am longing to go back . . . it's like eating delicious art!
gourmetgal at 8:09PM on 04/02/09
@buffy...I'd like to have Alton Brown's check card and PIN number!
Pavlov at 5:48AM on 04/03/09
No, I would never ask!
I have my wife ask.
Bosmer at 9:14AM on 04/03/09
I own 2 cookbooks by Jacque Pepi'n with his autograph, that were gifts! J.P. is my hero; the one who really taught me how to cook through his many cooking shows through the years.
I also own a poster signed by both he an Julia Child for their series they did together. It's one of my treasures, since I can't me Julia Child now and will probably never meet Jacques Pepi'n.
tmbaker669 at 3:52PM on 04/03/09
I have stood outside stage doors for autographs, so I'm not above asking somebody for one, although the only chef I ever thought to was Julia Child. I'm glad I did, she died a year later.
CatBoy at 6:54PM on 04/03/09
I've had a few cookbooks signed by celebrity chefs and I think it's pretty cool. Certainly doesn't stop me from using the cookbooks either. Last year I was able to get Alton Brown and Rocco DiSpirito and this year (Iron Chef) Masaharu Morimoto (no cookbook) and Tyler Florence. Pictures are also great :)
I've never seen my dad smile so big as in pictures with Alton Brown and Morimoto!
jp_bakeupastorm at 9:24PM on 04/03/09
I'd ask now that I know to if I go to a place to eat that sells a cookbook.
I have a few signed by Emeril at a book signing in Florida.
And one from Commander's Palace when we were there for brunch while on vacation, signed by Ti Adelaide Martin. Their bread pudding w/whiskey sauce is to DIE for.
nightmoon at 12:04AM on 04/04/09
intheyearofthepig--that story is so heartwarming!!! love it.
ladythor at 11:10AM on 04/04/09
if i ran into a celebrity chef outside their work i would think its ok to ask for their autograph. when they are working, its rude. they are obviously busy.
blizcheetah at 9:53PM on 04/05/09
I would only ask at a book signing or a presentation that had a signing afterwards. I got Alton's for my dad at a book signing (great father's day gift) and Elisa Strauss's after a school presentation. I would never ever ask a chef at his/her establishment, though. There is something about bothering people in their everyday life that bothers me. It's a NY pride thing not to do that.
meem21 at 7:47PM on 04/06/09
I've got one cookbook signed by Julia Child and one signed by Jacques Pepin ~ both from book signings at Smithsonian events. Fab!!
duncan1205 at 6:04PM on 04/13/09