Wolfgang Puck

Guide Note

Wolfgang Puck was one of the first celebrity chefs, rising to fame as a young man with his inspired "California cuisine" which he has served at famed Los Angeles restaurant Spago since its debut in 1982.

Fast Facts

1. Birthname: Wolfgang Johann Topfschnig
2. Birth date: July 8, 1949
3. Birthplace: Sankt Veit an der Glan, Austria
4. Grew up in Austria
5. Took his stepfather Josef Puck's last name
6. Puck is known for promoting California Cuisine
7. Caterer to the stars in Hollywood
8. Has four sons
9. Married to Gelila Assefa since July 7, 2007
10. Motto: Live Love Eat

Before moving to America, Puck apprenticed at restaurants in Provence, Monaco, and Paris. The first restaurant he part owned was Ma Maison in Los Angeles, California. He pioneered California cuisine in the 1980s, with the opening of his restaurant Spago in 1982. He soon founded Wolfgang Puck Companies, which now encompasses over a dozen restaurants, catering services and over 80 locations of the fast food establishment Wolfgang Puck Express. He also writes cookbooks and licenses prepared foods sold in supermarkets.