Today we’d like to introduce you to Paul Grosz.
Paul, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born and raised in the suburbs of Detroit. I started baking with my mom when I was 6 years old and really enjoyed it. I started helping her cook then too. I enjoyed it and became good at it. When I was 15 years old I lied about my age to get a job washing dishes at a family diner. Soon I became a cook there and really enjoyed it. I followed my brother Mark, who is the chef/owner of Oceanique in Evanston IL., to a French restaurant in the suburbs of Chicago called Le Francais. There my culinary world opened up training under Chef Jean Banchet. From there I traveled Europe extensively, especially France. I went to school in Paris at Le Cordon Bleu. Shortly after I was recruited by The Hyatt Regency Dearborn to come home and run their fine dining restaurant Le Rotisserie. I was chef of a fine dining restaurant at 24 years old. Three years later I was offered the executive chef position at The Whitney in Detroit. There I ran the restaurant for 10 years. Then in 2001, I followed my lifelong dream and opened Cuisine. To this day, I run the restaurant I’ve always dreamed of.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
We opened in the theatre district of Detroit in the summer of 2001. In September when the first show was to start 9/11 happened. No one wanted to go out to dinner for a few months. In 2008 and 2009 Detroit went through bankruptcy. The uncertainty of economic health in the city made individuals and companies not want to spend money. A business disaster. Then of course Covid happened in 2020. Uncharted waters for a restaurant. We were forced to close down. There was no playbook or learning tool for this. Each time disaster struck we had to pivot and become something different when we first imagined this restaurant. Each time we did it made us stronger. I believe this is what has caused our longevity. That and a true reluctance to failure. Failure was never an option for me.
We’ve been impressed with Cuisine, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Cuisine is a fine dining restaurant ran by chef/owner Paul Grosz. It has been Chef Paul’s lifelong dream to own and operate a restaurant such as Cuisine. Chef Paul trained in France with some of the best chefs there and attended Le Cordon Bleu in Paris. Cuisine is known for it’s eclectic French/American cuisine as well as being a favorite for the Fisher Theatre crowds.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Most people say I come off as too serious or very quiet and shy. But behind the scenes, once you know me, I am very loud, funny and engaging. I keep a small tight circle of friends so many people don’t know that side of me. Yes, I can be very serious but its because of my unwavering desire to succeed.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cuisinerestaurant.com
- Instagram: @cuisine_detroit @pgchef22
- Facebook: Paul Grosz Cuisine Restaurant
