# Eleven Madison Park: Daniel Humm

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2021-05-03
- Length: 1h 10m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-05-03-eleven-madison-park-daniel-humm

## Summary

Daniel Humm, owner and executive chef of Eleven Madison Park, explains his journey from a competitive cyclist to running the world's number one restaurant, and his decision to pivot to an entirely plant-based menu. He details the financial devastation of the 2008 recession and the pandemic, which forced the restaurant to operate at a loss and face potential bankruptcy. Humm describes how converting the kitchen into a commissary to serve over one million meals to New Yorkers during the lockdown reshaped his philosophy on food, sustainability, and the restaurant's mission.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-05-03-eleven-madison-park-daniel-humm#t=0) Introduction: Daniel Humm and Eleven Madison Park
- [6:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-05-03-eleven-madison-park-daniel-humm#t=387) Early Life: Cycling, School Dropout, and Culinary Beginnings
- [14:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-05-03-eleven-madison-park-daniel-humm#t=867) Transition to Cooking: From Cyclist to Michelin-Starred Chef
- [27:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-05-03-eleven-madison-park-daniel-humm#t=1620) Moving to New York: Danny Meyer, 11 Madison Park, and the 2008 Recession
- [39:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-05-03-eleven-madison-park-daniel-humm#t=2366) Designing the Menu: The Four Fundamentals of Cuisine
- [43:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-05-03-eleven-madison-park-daniel-humm#t=2626) Ownership, Success, and Partnership Breakup
- [51:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-05-03-eleven-madison-park-daniel-humm#t=3073) The Pandemic Pivot: Commissary Kitchen and One Million Meals
- [59:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-05-03-eleven-madison-park-daniel-humm#t=3571) The Plant-Based Decision: Sustainability and New Menu Development

## Topics

- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Sustainability & circular products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sustainability-and-circularity)

## Most relevant to

established companies

## Mentioned

- Eleven Madison Park (product)
- Daniel Humm (other)
- Danny Meyer (other)
- Will Guidara (other)
- U.S. Bank (other)
- Hotel Boralak (other)
- Freddie Scherder (other)
- Campton Place (other)
- The New York Times (other)
- 50 Best Restaurants (other)
- Nomad Hotels (other)
- 11 Madison Park at Home (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [#137 Plant-Based Dumpling Kings: Eric Wu and Adam Yee, Sobo Foods](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2024-04-09-137-plant-based-dumpling-kings-eric-wu-and-adam-yee-sobo-foods) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [Founder Feature: Dina DiCenso of RIND](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2025-06-06-founder-feature-dina-dicenso-of-rind) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [From Hand Sanitizer to Tomato Sauce - How Sauz Went From 10 Doors to 3,500 in a Year](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-08-29-from-hand-sanitizer-to-tomato-sauce-how-sauz-went-from-10-doors-to-3-500-in-a-ye) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [222 - Alison Cayne, CEO of Havens Kitchen, from the classroom to the kitchen](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2023-10-24-222-alison-cayne-ceo-of-havens-kitchen-from-the-classroom-to-the-kitchen) (People of Packaging)
- [Founder Feature: Chef V of Alchemy of Food](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-02-13-founder-feature-chef-v-of-alchemy-of-food) (The Startup CPG Podcast)

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