–by Dr. Laura Wilhelm
West Hollywood, CA (The Hollywood Times) 5/22/17 – Hollywood’s heroes come in many forms and flavors, much like food.
One of the more fascinating ones is celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck, who on April 26th, 2017 received his star on the fabled Hollywood Walk of Fame.
- With an estimated net worth of $90 million, Puck could hardly escape the attention of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce for this unique honor.
- His fearsome Austrian work ethic and obsessive attention to technique have netted him two James Beard Awards and worldwide acclaim for establishments such as Spago’s in Beverly Hills. Puck is also the official caterer for the Academy Awards Governors Ball.
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Wolfgang Puck receives a star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame on Wednesday, April 26
Classically trained at L’Oustau de Baumanière in Les Baux-de-Provence, at Hotel de Paris in Monaco, and at Maxim’s Paris, Puck moved to the United States in 1973 at age 24 to seek his fortune in food.
After two years at La Tour in Indianapolis, Puck moved to Los Angeles to become chef and part owner at Ma Maison restaurant.
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Celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck reacts at his Walk of Fame Star ceremony in Hollywood, California on April 26, 2017 where he was the recipient of the 2,608 Star in the category of Television. (Photo credit should read FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images)
Over the years Puck reimagined many American classics such as pizza and burgers and fries that had in fact originated in his native Europe. The hot crispy crust and high style cold toppings (including caviar) on his Spago’s Smoked Salmon Pizza have made it a permanent celebrity favorite since the 1970s.
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Chef Wolfgang Puck (C) kisses his star as, from left to right, Jeff Zarrinnam, director Brett Ratner, Larry King and Hollywood Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Leron Gubler applaud. Photo by Christine Chew/UPI
His Wolfgang Puck Companies now comprise a spiral nebula of over 20 fine dining restaurants, premium catering services, and more than 80 Wolfgang Puck Express operations. They also sell cookbooks and kitchen and food merchandise.
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Director Brett Ratner (L), chef Wolfgang Puck and Larry King (R) pose with Puck’s replica plaque. Photo by Christine Chew/UPI
Among other honors, Puck received the 2001–2002 Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Service Show, Wolfgang Puck. In 2013, he was inducted into the Culinary Hall of Fame.
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Wolfgang Puck receives a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Wolfgang Puck appeared in a TV commercial advertising California along with other flamboyant personalities such as Jack Nicholson and Arnold Schwarzenegger. He is an active philanthropist whose Puck-Lazaroff Charitable Foundation founded in 1982 has raised more than $15 million.
