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Lifestyle // Men's

Louis Vuitton & Eric Ripert Pack The Knife

Eric Ripert

Recently Eric Ripert, the celebrated chef of Le Bernardin in New York City, cook book author, and host of the cooking show “Avec Eric”  went to Louis Vuitton to have a custom-made suitcase for his diverse collection of knifes, mostly Wusthof and MAC.

“Real chefs don’t share their knives,” says Ripert, so he travels with his own, and his knives now travel in style.

NM: Louis Vuitton created a custom suitcase for your knives. Can you tell us about it?

ER: The process was incredible. I had an initial visit at the salon at the Louis Vuitton flagship store on Fifth Avenue, and discussed the specifics of what I was looking for in a traveling knife kit.  I selected all the materials, and then it was in the hands of the artisan who created the piece in France.  Along the way I had the opportunity to approve aspects of the design, and then several months later I came back to the salon and received the case. It is amazing, every detail crafted by hand. I am very lucky to have this for my knives!

NM: Like fashion, cooking starts with skills but also requires inspiration. How and where do you get your inspiration to create new dishes?

ER: I get inspiration from many different sources…especially travel – I am very inspired by other cultures and cuisines. I try to go somewhere new to me at least once a year. This year I was lucky enough to travel to Cambodia and Vietnam. But I also get inspired just by walking around our great city, and of course from tasting and eating food of any kind.

NM: Craftsmanship and authenticity are the pillars of the luxury industry. Are they as important to you as a chef?

ER: I think there are many similarities in between the luxury industry and cuisine. In my industry, everything starts with the craft. You must master the techniques and basics first before you can express yourself creatively. Without the backbone of craft, it is difficult to be innovative.

NM: As a French man living in the US, what do you miss the most about France? What do you like the most about living in the US?

ER: I grew up in the south of France and I do miss the beauty of that region…the scents are still so strong in my mind…the fresh basil in the marketplace, the scent of wild thyme in the hills. So I miss being a bit closer to nature. But NYC is my home and I love living here. I love the diversity and energy.

NM: What’s your guilty pleasure?

ER: I have no guilty pleasures…I eat and drink whatever I want, whenever I want. It’s the French way.

NM: What is your secret place in NYC?

ER: I’m not sure if anything is secret in NYC any more! But I love the many great tiny, obscure Japanese restaurants and bars.

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