A restaurant once hailed as the best in the world reopens its doors to serve first responders

It’s clear that no one is sitting down to long, multi-course meals at top fine dining destinations worldwide, with prices in the hundreds of dollars and experiences lasting for hours.

The pandemic’s grip has essentially forced luxury restaurants to abandon their pre-shutdown operations.

However, on Wednesday evening, one of the world’s finest restaurants, which had closed temporarily when New York City went into lockdown, made a dramatic shift.

Three Michelin-starred Eleven Madison Park, renowned for offering an unmatched dining experience that ranks among the most unforgettable in the world, is reinventing itself.

Beginning Thursday, the restaurant will repurpose its resources to become a food hub supporting first responders and others in need across New York City.

On Wednesday evening, chef and owner Daniel Humm shared an Instagram post revealing his plan to turn the restaurant’s lights back on and help New York City navigate a crisis he believes is only just beginning.

“Today, we have transformed Eleven Madison Park into a commissary kitchen with the aim of preparing thousands of meals daily for those on the front lines and those most affected by the ongoing crisis,” Humm wrote on Instagram, alongside a photo of a dark, empty kitchen.

The global pandemic has been a particularly challenging period for luxury restaurants, many of which swiftly adapted by offering takeout and delivery — including alcohol — while maintaining a minimal staff and struggling to stay operational.

Not all Michelin-starred establishments made the transition to takeout. In fact, a place like Eleven Madison Park, where an extravagant dinner experience includes exceptional service and personalized attention, may have faced difficulty adjusting to a takeout model.

The financial impact of the shutdown on upscale restaurants is severe, according to Hillary Dixler Canavan, restaurant editor for global food publication Eater.

“High-end restaurants that are currently closed are losing money rapidly,” she explains. “In the US, they haven’t received government financial aid yet, and while some may see temporary relief by shifting to a takeout model, upscale restaurants generally don’t make a profit from to-go orders unless they’re doing high volumes. These establishments weren’t designed for pick-up or delivery.”

As many mid-range restaurants struggle to operate during these uncertain times, and more luxury dining spots close with no confirmed reopening dates, the pivot made by Eleven Madison Park stands out.

To establish the commissary kitchen, Eleven Madison Park has teamed up with Rethink Food NYC, a nonprofit that repurposes excess food to provide meals for underserved communities in New York City. American Express has also joined the effort as a partner.

Currently, New York City’s underserved communities include frontline workers battling the pandemic and individuals who typically rely on food banks, many of which have closed due to Covid-19 safety concerns. Many doctors, nurses, and other hospital staff are staying in Manhattan hotels, some of which have shifted from serving tourists to offering a clean, safe space for first responders.

Eleven Madison Park is preparing around 2,000 meals daily, which Rethink Food picks up and delivers to hospitals and those in need throughout New York City,” says Meg Savage, Rethink’s executive director of strategic initiatives, in an interview with Dinogo.

As soup kitchens across the city shut down, Savage explains that Rethink is expanding its operations to ensure they can provide more meals to the growing number of people in need.

Dishes coming out of Eleven Madison Park, with Chef Humm overseeing the line, include chicken rice with roasted cauliflower, braised veal cheek with couscous and roasted carrots, and pasta with romesco sauce, paired with house-made focaccia.

The public’s reaction to the announcement, according to Humm’s Instagram, has been incredibly positive.

Less than 24 hours after the post, Humm’s announcement had garnered over 21,000 likes and more than 1,000 comments expressing support and admiration.