159. More Than Michelin Stars ft. Simon Davies

Our next guest traded eleven years at three Michelin-starred Alinea for something money can't buy: balance, agency, and intimacy. Simon Davies discovered this new path immediately after leaving Chicago's temple of molecular gastronomy as Executive Chef in January 2020, when he traveled to Jaipur, India for a project with Champagne house Krug. What started as a consulting venture, Ilixr Creative evolved into an exclusive private dining experience driven by organic demand from clients seeking something beyond the traditional restaurant model.

Simon embodies an intriguing duality—calm and measured, with unexpected flashes of playfulness that emerge in his work. I've witnessed this firsthand at his pop-ups at Verve Wine, where he's served elevated burgers alongside fine Burgundy—a delightful contradiction that perfectly captures his approach to hospitality. After more than a decade perfecting his craft in one of the world's most demanding kitchens, Simon has found his own voice in the intimate theater of private dining.

Please enjoy my conversation with Simon Davies, a chef who chose connection over convention.

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