Recently I stayed at the Martinique New York on Broadway, Curio Collection by Hilton, where I met Chef Franklin at the Press Club Bar and Grill – Dining for one, I was thoroughly enjoying a delicious strip loin steak, mashed potato to die for and the smoothest bottle of Italian Montelpulciano.
Chef Franklin was hosting a family dinner but it wasn’t long before we spotted each other and I was subsequently a guest at his lively table where some great storytelling and revelry ensued. The Press Club Bar and Grill In New York has that indelible 1960s Swagger that I just adore. It is rare to find it these days and when you do it’s a memorable treat that can be enjoyed ten times over.
The next morning we sat down in the Bronze Owl – a new classic American Cocktail bar also offering the most delicious Italian fare and bites, the Pizza was one of the best I’ve had. I’ve travelled throughout Italy from Calabria to the Dolomites so this was pretty impressive. – As I like to say – “Italia non basta una vita” (which simply means one life is not enough for Italy).
“I started cooking Ed out of necessity. My mom became ill when I was 7 and my father was an awful cook. When my mom started to get better, I was constantly assisting her with holiday dinners and such. When I was 14, I joined the staff of a neighbourhood restaurant and have not looked back these past 21 years! ” (end of quote)
From humble beginnings in Brooklyn, helping his ailing mother in the kitchen, Franklin Becker’s culinary journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. Surrounded by the salubrious setting of the newly opened “Bronze Owl” Chef Franklin told me how these early experiences ignited his passion for cooking, and how later these gatherings became his place for celebrating family, friends, and simply joyful, unforgettable memories that will stay with him forever.
From Bravo Chef to Entrepreneur
Chef Franklin has left his mark very positively and has contributed greatly over the past three decades to New York City’s culinary landscape. He has evolved from being named “One of New York’s Rising Star Chefs in 2006”. He was also a contestant on Bravo Television’s “Top Chef Masters.” Transitioning from a chef to an entrepreneur presented some huge challenges for Franklin and his partner, from ambitious construction projects and all the obstacles that they presented, to the rather daunting schedule of managing restaurant operations. Working previously with great places like “the Little Beet” (not so little) and The Manhattanville Market Food Hall gave Franklin incredible experience and complemented him in honing his rather unique brand of skill sets across the ever burgeoning and world leading New York food scene.
Incidentally when you visit the Manhattanville Market Food Hall website guess who Eatery NY has mentioned on the home page – ”…it’s the tapas bar Oliva from chef Franklin Becker that was a surprise find with its menu of small plates, including standouts like the grilled shrimp served with salsa verde.” He is Ubiquitous.
Fuori Dalla Cucina
Outside the kitchen, Becker is passionate about giving back to the community. Inspired by his son’s journey with autism, he created the charity “Autism Speaks to Wall Street, Celebrity Chef Gala.” For Becker, being a chef allows him to reach far and wide beyond the the boundaries of his many culinary establishments. As well as being a wonderful chef, culinary genius and creator of unforgettable gourmet experiences, Chef Franklin is now a champion for Autism Awareness globally and he tells us the story this evening of just how it all came about! Franklin is also known to be a much sought after mentor, a great voice of excellence and practical engagement for his industry and a shining beacon of light, inspiration and hope for many people today.
As a big foodie and a bit of a culinary enthusiast myself, I can honestly say that I was greatly inspired by meeting Chef Franklin during my few days in penury here at the Martinique, Curio Collection by Hilton. The Press Club Grill brings back mid-century style and sophistication redolent of Don Draper and the Mad Men team. I was thoroughly spoiled enjoying all my favourite food and wines here , the subtle yet “no stones unturned” professionalism all delivered with a delicious dollop of warm banter made these sensory journeys of nostalgic loveliness pure heaven for me. Franklin has also hit the Goldilocks Spot when it comes to surrounding himself with what I would describe as a “Michelin Star of Culinary Teams” – is that a category yet? Here you will find “that Barman” and ”that guy from Ireland”- who’s making the best Italian Pizza ever!
Jessica Lange in Mother Play at the Hayes Theatre on Broadway…. All subsequent bucket list wishes are just boring now!
My journey to New York also included a massive Bucket List event – seeing my favourite actress Jessica Lange live in a play on Broadway. I read in USA Today that she was performing at the Hayes theatre while I was in town, it was all I could do to stop myself parachuting from the plane – luckily it was a short Cincinnati to Philadelphia hop. I have to profusely thank the lovely Jean who works at the box office at the Hayes. Several hours of failed online booking attempts ensued at my hotel in Philly, and now about to put my affairs in order, I thought maybe one last archaic practice might work so I decided to phone the theatre. Holding out little hope and after a few rings, a delightful lady called Jean bounced onto my line and sensing my “online rabbit hole despair” married with the softly engaging Cork Irish twang she swung into action like a Marvel SuperHero and in five minutes I was the proud owner of a front seat Mezzanine Ticket…. Her return to the call after two minutes will never leave me, was Jean a heralding angel? disbelief pervaded every pore of my being, ” Have I got a ticket for you Ed”.
Paula Vogel’s Mother Play (The power of a mother) has been Nominated for four 2024 Tony Awards! The Pulitzer Prize winner’s play was led by an all star cast, consisting of Tony, Oscar and Emmy winner Jessica Lange, Tony winner Celia Keenan-Bolger, and Emmy winner Jim Parsons. “This intense rollercoaster ride was worth every second of unrelenting distilled pure raw emotion. If plays were planes- this was Concorde.
This was by far, for many reasons my rediscovery of New York City – Looking back on the trip it was a birthday celebration full of joy, a sort of “Perfect Storm for Birthdays” where Broadway Stars met Culinary heroes and where consummate travel professionals and “Jean” all cocooned me in a Willy Wonka type fantasy that ended with me happily sipping bubbles as I winged my way back across the pond to Ireland. After this incredible time spent in the USA, I can honestly say that travel doesn’t just broaden the mind – it brings you to places that were not the places you thought you’d be when you left home!
To listen back to my interview with Chef Franklin – The Sunday Show with Chef Franklin Becker in New York
Chef Franklin is a founding partner at The Hospitality Department
To book your stay at the Martinique – Curio Collection – Hilton Hotels
For flights to New York JFK and Newark New Jersey from Dublin and Shannon – www.aerlingus.com
The official Website for the City of New York – www.nyc.gov
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