IT'S GREAT TO BE BACK

CELEBRITY CHEF JUDY JOO TALKS TO ERIC RIPERT OF THE FAMED NEW YORK CITY RESTAURANT LE BERNARDIN ABOUT RETURNING TO FORM AFTER THE PANDEMIC.

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LE BERNARDIN chef Eric Ripert remembers the first few weeks of the pandemic like they were yesterday. “We closed the restaurant on March 13, 2020. It was devastating,” says the French culinary icon. “I was especially concerned about the employees who live paycheck to paycheck.” The upscale New York City seafood eatery (power couple John Legend and Chrissy Teigen and actor Richard Gere are regulars) reopened twice as Covid wreaked havoc on the hospitality industry and has finally returned to full capacity. “It’s very good news,” says Eric. “Our clientele has been so supportive. It’s incredible.” Chef Judy Joo talks to the Vegetable Simple author about surviving lockdown, his work with City Harvest and his career highlights.

How did you cope during lockdown?