Tag Archives: Barbara Lazaroff

Show 655, November 29, 2025: Byron Lazaroff-Puck, President, Wolfgang Puck Fine Dining

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Bryan Lazaroff Puck of Wolfgang Puck Fine Dining

“The name Wolfgang Puck is synonymous with the best of restaurant hospitality and the ultimate in all aspects of the culinary arts. Our guest, Byron Lazaroff-Puck, is the President of Wolfgang Puck Fine Dining.  The award-winning restaurants in the Wolfgang Puck Fine Dining Group include Chinois (Santa Monica); Carama by Wolfgang Puck (Las Vegas); CUT (Bahrain Bay, Beverly Hills, DC, Las Vegas, London, and Singapore; Spago (Beverly Hills, Istanbul, Las Vegas, Maui, Bodrum and Singapore); re Asian Cuisine (Bahrain Bay; Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill (Las Vegas and Orlando; and Merois (Los Angeles).

“Wolfgang Puck has built a brand that encompasses three companies: Wolfgang Puck Fine Dining Group, owned, operated, and licensed fine dining restaurants consisting of 21 restaurants in 6 countries; Wolfgang Puck Worldwide which has a portfolio of 79 casual and fast-casual restaurants, as well as branded consumer products; and Wolfgang Puck Catering which is the catering service business which operates as a subsidiary of Compass Group. Wolfgang Puck’s brand carries an undeniable cachet, synonymous with a bold, innovative style of cooking that has redefined the fine dining industry. His trademark dishes, coupled with his unmistakable panache and personality, has revolutionized the culinary trade.”

“Born and raised in Los Angeles, Byron Lazaroff-Puck is the son of world-renowned Chef Wolfgang Puck and visionary designer Barbara Lazaroff. His upbringing immersed him in the pioneering world of hospitality and design, igniting a passion for culinary arts and service excellence. At just 12 years old, Byron began his journey as a dishwasher at Spago Beverly Hills, laying the foundation for a career marked by passion, discipline, and ambition.”

“Today, as President of the Wolfgang Puck Fine Dining Group, Byron’s focus is on leading the company’s next phase of international growth and culinary development, building on the legacy of Spago, Chinois, CUT and CARAMÁ to expand their global reach while remaining true to the brand’s DNA of excellence and innovation.

Byron just returned from the official opening of the spectacular rooftop Spago in Shanghai at The St. Regis on the Bund. Last Weekend Byron was part of the uber exclusive F-1 Bellagio VIP Fountain Club viewing experience showcasing the food of an incredible assemblage all-star celebrity and Michelin chefs including Jose Andres, Thomas Keller and Wolfgang Puck in a luxe 3-day package.

Show 226, June 3, 2017: Bella Lantsman, General Manager & Partner, Chinois on Main, Santa Monica

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Belle LantsmanLongevity for a restaurant in the highly competitive Los Angeles restaurant arena isn’t an easy thing. Celebrity Chef Wolfgang Puck’s 2nd fine-dining restaurant in the Los Angeles area after Spago was Chinois on Main in Santa Monica. It launched in 1983 and is still a landmark dining destination in Santa Monica that consistently delivers with memorable food and polished service. Many of the professional servers have, unusually, been there for years.

Chinois on Main boldly combines Chinese tradition and fresh California ingredients with contemporary French techniques. The restaurant pioneered Asian fusion cuisine in the United States. Today, Chinois remains a culinary icon with its timeless interior design by (Partner) Barbara Lazaroff, an open kitchen, full-service bar, and extensive (and expertly crafted) wine list.

The Executive Chef is Rene Mata. He started at Chinois on Main as a line cook in 1987.

GM & Partner Bella Lantsman has, extraordinarily, been there since almost the beginning. We’ll meet her.