COPPER GROUSE - Key Persons
Nicolas Houlbert is a seasoned executive chef with over 30 years of experience. He has helped several acclaimed restaurants achieve their Michelin stars, namely Ze Kitchen Galerie and Mavrommatis, both in Paris. A native of France, Houlbert developed a love for cooking while watching his mother cook daily for the family, using vegetables from the garden and buying products from local farms and markets.
Following his success in France, Houlbert moved to New York in 2015 to work for celebrity chef and restaurateur Daniel Boulud as executive chef at both Bar Boulud and Epicerie Boulud. Here Houlbert utilized his extensive classical French training while developing a keen understanding of the American palate. Inspired by both his native France and his more recent travels around the world, Houlbert's cuisine marries classic French technique with modern flavors. His dishes speak for themselves, highlighting seasonal and local ingredients through simple yet refined preparations.
'Chef Nicolas has worked at Michelin-starred restaurants in France and stirred up a following here since his arrival. With the assistance of Executive Sous Chef Aaron Forfa, Chef Nicolas has served some of the tastiest food I've had this year.'