Jeffrey Chodorow: Talent Agent

By JULIETTE ROSSANT As noted previously, "English is Italian" is part of Jeffrey Chodorow's impressive and globally expansive China Grill Management. Chodorow is definitely in the super chef deal-making business -- and not just for his famous, now-fizzled deal with Rocco DiSpirito or with the phoenix-like Matthew Kenney at Pure Wine and Food. Chodorow & Co. also manage not one but three (3) restaurants for Michelin-six star holder Alain Ducasse: Spoon London and MIX in New York and Las Vegas. And you wondered why Chodorow was so non-chalant about losing Rocco (and managed to line up Claude Troisgros so quickly)! Chodorow's empire is bolding exploring where no restaurateur has gone before -- not Stephen Hanson of BR Guest Restaurants, not Drew Nieporent of Myriad Restaurant Group, not Danny Meyer of Union Square Hospitality Group, not even Rich Melman of Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises. I know this, because each one of those great restaurateurs has told me how they have either avoided celebrity chefs altogether or decided not to open with more than one (Danny with Tom Colicchio, Drew with Nobu). Chodorow seems to be leveraging himself to be talent agent of the super chef stars. In fact, one might interpret his behavior in The Restaurant as a warning to future super chef partners: he seemed ready to slice and dice Rocco for non-performance. Some viewers might have felt that Rocco had made a deal with the devil -- and others counter "better the devil you know." Well, one thing for sure is that now we all know how Chodorow plays the game. Perhaps Chodorow is the Michael Ovitz of restaurant empires and China Grill his CAA? For any chefs considering business with him, I recommend getting past all the Hollywood drama. Chodorow is a a businessman: you keep up your end of the bargain, and no problems. That's probably why someone like Alain Ducasse, who is as professional as he is intellectual and artistic, has put the management of so many of his restaurants in Chodorow's hands: it's business. Maybe Chodorow was simply miscast in The Restaurant: perhaps he should play Brando's part in any future installments of The Godfather. Just think carefully when he makes you a deal you can't refuse... Previous articles: Todd English Winner Gets "English is Italian"? Todd English Slums With Jeffrey Chodorow After the Hurricane, Norman Van Aken Breezes Gently In Alain Ducasse: Hyper Chef -- Now Serving Mars Claude Troisgros: Riding de Rocco DiSpirito Star Nick Valenti: Super Chef Master? Rocco Barred from Reality TV Restaurant Rocco: Trapped in Reality TV's Twilight Zone?