# Exclusive Update: The Chef Who Shocked the Culinary World and Why He’s Changing Course Again—Daniel Humm of Eleven Madison Park

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2025-08-13
- Length: 43m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-08-13-exclusive-update-the-chef-who-shocked-the-culinary-world-and-why-hes-changing-co

## Summary

Daniel Humm, chef and owner of Eleven Madison Park (EMP), explains his decision to reintroduce animal products after four years of operating a 100% plant-based menu. He details the creative and economic challenges of the plant-based experiment, including a 20% increase in labor costs and a dip in revenue due to reduced wine sales and private events. Humm describes how the shift fundamentally changed his cooking philosophy, leading to a new 90% plant-based menu that deliberately incorporates fish, shellfish, and duck to welcome a broader audience while maintaining sustainability goals.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-08-13-exclusive-update-the-chef-who-shocked-the-culinary-world-and-why-hes-changing-co#t=0) Introduction: Daniel Humm and the EMP Update
- [4:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-08-13-exclusive-update-the-chef-who-shocked-the-culinary-world-and-why-hes-changing-co#t=289) The Creative Rut and Pivot to Plant-Based
- [8:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-08-13-exclusive-update-the-chef-who-shocked-the-culinary-world-and-why-hes-changing-co#t=483) Backlash, Learning, and the 3 Michelin Stars
- [14:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-08-13-exclusive-update-the-chef-who-shocked-the-culinary-world-and-why-hes-changing-co#t=871) Economic Challenges: Labor, Wine, and Revenue
- [19:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-08-13-exclusive-update-the-chef-who-shocked-the-culinary-world-and-why-hes-changing-co#t=1151) Reintroducing Animal Products and the New Menu
- [32:53](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-08-13-exclusive-update-the-chef-who-shocked-the-culinary-world-and-why-hes-changing-co#t=1973) Leadership, Self-Doubt, and Team Evolution
- [37:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-08-13-exclusive-update-the-chef-who-shocked-the-culinary-world-and-why-hes-changing-co#t=2266) The Future of Fine Dining and Legacy

## 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)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [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)
- Michelin (other)
- U.S. Bank (company)

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- [Ep. 10: Garlic + Lemon + Love = Goodness with Mariam Elghani, founder of Garlic Goodness](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2020-09-22-ep-10-garlic-lemon-love-goodness-with-mariam-elghani-founder-of-garlic-goodness) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [#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)
- [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)
- [#147 - Rising Star: Simon Solis-Cohen, Huxley](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2024-06-18-147-rising-star-simon-solis-cohen-huxley) (The Startup CPG Podcast)

## Citing this page

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