Straight Talk Episode 24: Chef Daniel Boulud on Legacy, 'The Bear' and Being American

On location at Daniel, the French culinary icon talks about what it means to be a chef today, his commitment to mentorship and "finally becoming American"

Chef Daniel Boulud appears on Wine Spectator's Straight Talk podcast
Chef Daniel Boulud joins episode 24 of Wine Spectator's Straight Talk podcast with James Molesworth. (Evan Sung/Lisa Weatherbee)

Straight from the cover of Wine Spectator and the season 3 premiere of The Bear, legendary chef Daniel Boulud invites us into the Daniel dining room for an exclusive interview about what it means to be a chef today, his legacy of mentorship and why his next restaurant will reflect a shift in allegiance since becoming a U.S. citizen in 2021: "I finally became American. I always felt like I'm French … but with my family here, I'm definitely settled here ... it is more important to be American today for me than to be French."

Straight Talk host James Molesworth speaks with senior editor Kristen Bieler about her cover story and interview with Boulud, and Wine Spectator advice and education expert Dr. Vinny returns to share some guidance on how to tip on an expensive bottle of wine at a restaurant.

Now available on Apple, Google, Spotify and more, including at WineSpectator.com/podcastStraight Talk debuted in October 2022 and has attracted some of the wine industry's biggest stars for honest, probing, revelatory and sometimes hilarious conversations.

Season 1 guests included winemakers Aubert de Villaine, Tim Mondavi, Tony Soter, Mark Aubert, Helen Keplinger, Thomas Rivers Brown, Greg Brewer and many more, as well as chefs Thomas Keller and Marcus Samuelsson, NBA Hall of Famer and winery investor Tony Parker and film, TV and New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc star Sarah Jessica Parker.

“The Straight Talk podcast is a must-listen for anyone in the wine industry, and gives consumers a personal connection with our expert staff of tasters that no other format—or podcast—can offer,” said Wine Spectator editor and publisher Marvin R. Shanken, who himself made several guest appearances in Straight Talk's first season.

Wine Spectator's Straight Talk podcast is available for free on all major podcasting platforms, as well as at WineSpectator.com/podcast, and listeners can email their questions and comments to StraightTalk@WineSpectator.com.

News Straight Talk Dining Out New York

You Might Also Like

Bordeaux 2025 Futures Pricing and Analysis: Cheval Blanc and Others Start the Campaign

Bordeaux 2025 Futures Pricing and Analysis: Cheval Blanc and Others Start the Campaign

The latest vintage offers promising quality but tiny quantities; will wineries hold the …

May 11, 2026
Chef Hasung Lee Debuts With Oyatte in New York City

Chef Hasung Lee Debuts With Oyatte in New York City

The star of Culinary Class Wars and alum of the French Laundry, Geranium and Gramercy …

May 8, 2026
Angelini Wines Buys Majority Stake in Umbria’s Arnaldo Caprai

Angelini Wines Buys Majority Stake in Umbria’s Arnaldo Caprai

The owner of Bertani and Val di Suga now holds a 65% stake; Marco Caprai will remain …

May 7, 2026
The Legal Fight Between Napa County and Small Wineries Continues

The Legal Fight Between Napa County and Small Wineries Continues

One case moves back to the district court and another is granted a stay as the long battle …

May 5, 2026
Ocean Prime Debuts in Nashville

Ocean Prime Debuts in Nashville

The newest location from Cameron Mitchell Restaurants brings a 180-bottle wine list, …

Apr 29, 2026
Eye-Opening Auction Features 19th-Century Bottles From Scottish Castle Cellar

Eye-Opening Auction Features 19th-Century Bottles From Scottish Castle Cellar

The single-owner Sotheby’s sale set 10 world records, led by two magnums of 1870 Lafite …

Apr 24, 2026