Gato Dumas
Encyclopedia
Gato Dumas was a celebrated Argentine chef and restaurateur.
, Argentina
in 1938. An only child, he was given his first lessons in cuisine at age three by his grandfather, sculptor and cooking aficionado Alberto Lagos.
Studying architecture in school, he abandoned his studies in 1959 for a chance to pursue his culinary interests in London
, where he was brought on by the "creator of the modern British cuisine," Chef Robert Carrier
, as a dishwasher and potato peeler at "The Angel," Carrier's flagship Islington
restaurant. Carrier eventually granted the young man an apprenticeship and, returning to Argentina in March 1963, Dumas opened his first establishment, "La Chimère," in 1965.
Located in Buenos Aires' upscale Recoleta
district, La Chimère's success allowed Dumas to open a succession of other restaurants over the next decade: "La Termita," "Hereford," "La Jamonería de Vieytes," "The Drugstore," "Clark's," "La Terraza del Gato Dumas," "La Rotisería de Pilar," "Carpaccio" and one installed in an imported steamboat
, "El Delta Queen." Dumas was called on to cater prestigious cultural events in Argentina during the 1960s, notably those hosted by the Torcuato di Tella Institute
, a leading promoter of the arts. His restaurants began to advertise the "Executive Lunch Menu" in 1969, an approach based on dining à la carte
, with an abbreviated and varying selection. Increasingly in demand outside Argentina, Dumas opened two Brazil
ian establishments: "Clark's São Paolo" in 1973 and "La Posada La Chimère" in the seaside resort of Búzios in 1975. This latter restaurant proved specially popular with Argentine tourists in the area.
Expanding his portfolio of restaurants despite a regional economic crisis
, Dumas opened "Gato Dumas," "La Bianca" and "El Nuevo Gato" in Buenos Aires in 1982. His fame eared him a number of television contracts beginning in 1983, and his cooking show
s appeared on ratings leaders Channel 9
and Channel 13
, among others. His frequent newspaper and magazine contributions were complemented by five cookbook
s and his renown during the 1980s earned him commissions as head chef for events hosted by international figures such as David Rockefeller
and Mikhail Gorbachev
. Dumas also made his talents amenable to Progressive rock
musician Charly García
, for whom he starred in a music video
rendition of Cuando Pase el Hervor (Once it Boils Over, 1988).
Having earned numerous culinary and broadcasting honors, he received the crowning Bocuse d'Or
in Lyon
, France
, in 1993. Dumas opened what would be his last restaurant, "Gato Dumas Cocinero," in 1992 and in 1998, he established a cooking school in Buenos Aires. Operated jointly with two former students, Guillermo Calabrese and Martiniano Molina, the three also started a catering
company and, in 2003, a gourmet frozen food
line ("Gato Dumas Premium"). He became a regular contributor to Elgourmet.com, the first Argentine cable and internet culinary channel (launched in 2000).
Dumas developed prostate cancer
and, hospitalized for a lung ailment, the renowned chef died in a Pilar
clinic on May 14, leaving his widow, Mariana Gassó de Dumas, and five sons and daughters (four from a prior marriage). That August, Mis Historias y Mis Recetas (My Stories and Recipes) was published posthumously.
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Life and work
Carlos Alberto Dumas was born in Buenos AiresBuenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...
, Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
in 1938. An only child, he was given his first lessons in cuisine at age three by his grandfather, sculptor and cooking aficionado Alberto Lagos.
Studying architecture in school, he abandoned his studies in 1959 for a chance to pursue his culinary interests in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, where he was brought on by the "creator of the modern British cuisine," Chef Robert Carrier
Robert Carrier (chef)
Robert Carrier OBE was an American chef, restaurateur and cookery writer, whose success came in England, where he was based from 1953 to 1984, and then from 1994 until his death.-Biography:Born Robert Carrier McMahon in Tarrytown, New York, the third son of an Irish...
, as a dishwasher and potato peeler at "The Angel," Carrier's flagship Islington
Islington
Islington is a neighbourhood in Greater London, England and forms the central district of the London Borough of Islington. It is a district of Inner London, spanning from Islington High Street to Highbury Fields, encompassing the area around the busy Upper Street...
restaurant. Carrier eventually granted the young man an apprenticeship and, returning to Argentina in March 1963, Dumas opened his first establishment, "La Chimère," in 1965.
Located in Buenos Aires' upscale Recoleta
Recoleta
Recoleta is a downtown residential neighborhood in the city of Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina; it is an area of great historical and architectural interest, due, particularly to the Recoleta Cemetery located there...
district, La Chimère's success allowed Dumas to open a succession of other restaurants over the next decade: "La Termita," "Hereford," "La Jamonería de Vieytes," "The Drugstore," "Clark's," "La Terraza del Gato Dumas," "La Rotisería de Pilar," "Carpaccio" and one installed in an imported steamboat
Steamboat
A steamboat or steamship, sometimes called a steamer, is a ship in which the primary method of propulsion is steam power, typically driving propellers or paddlewheels...
, "El Delta Queen." Dumas was called on to cater prestigious cultural events in Argentina during the 1960s, notably those hosted by the Torcuato di Tella Institute
Torcuato di Tella Institute
The Torcuato di Tella Institute is a non-profit foundation organized for the promotion of Argentine culture.-Overview:The di Tella Foundation and its institute were created on July 22, 1958, the tenth anniversary of the death of industrialist and arts patron Torcuato di Tella...
, a leading promoter of the arts. His restaurants began to advertise the "Executive Lunch Menu" in 1969, an approach based on dining à la carte
À la carte
À la carte is a French language loan phrase meaning "according to the menu", and used in* A reference to a menu of items priced and ordered separately, i.e. the usual operation of restaurants * To order an item from the menu on its own, e.g...
, with an abbreviated and varying selection. Increasingly in demand outside Argentina, Dumas opened two Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian establishments: "Clark's São Paolo" in 1973 and "La Posada La Chimère" in the seaside resort of Búzios in 1975. This latter restaurant proved specially popular with Argentine tourists in the area.
Expanding his portfolio of restaurants despite a regional economic crisis
Latin American debt crisis
The Latin American debt crisis was a financial crisis that occurred in the early 1980s , often known as the "lost decade", when Latin American countries reached a point where their foreign debt exceeded their earning power and they were not able to repay it.-Origins:In the 1960s and 1970s many...
, Dumas opened "Gato Dumas," "La Bianca" and "El Nuevo Gato" in Buenos Aires in 1982. His fame eared him a number of television contracts beginning in 1983, and his cooking show
Cooking show
A TV cooking show is a television program that presents the preparation of food, in a kitchen on the studio set. The host of the show, often a celebrity chef, prepares one or more dishes over the course of the show, taking the viewing audience through the food's preparation showing all...
s appeared on ratings leaders Channel 9
Canal 9 (Argentina)
Canal 9 is an Argentine television network based in Buenos Aires. It is a general entertainment station which offers news, soap operas, talk shows, and movies.-History:...
and Channel 13
Canal 13 (Argentina)
El Trece is an Argentine television network and the flagship station of the same network, located in the capital of Argentina, Buenos Aires.- Foundation :...
, among others. His frequent newspaper and magazine contributions were complemented by five cookbook
Cookbook
A cookbook is a kitchen reference that typically contains a collection of recipes. Modern versions may also include colorful illustrations and advice on purchasing quality ingredients or making substitutions...
s and his renown during the 1980s earned him commissions as head chef for events hosted by international figures such as David Rockefeller
David Rockefeller
David Rockefeller, Sr. is the current patriarch of the Rockefeller family. He is the youngest and only surviving child of John D. Rockefeller, Jr. and Abby Aldrich Rockefeller, and the only surviving grandchild of oil tycoon John D. Rockefeller, founder of Standard Oil. His five siblings were...
and Mikhail Gorbachev
Mikhail Gorbachev
Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev is a former Soviet statesman, having served as General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1985 until 1991, and as the last head of state of the USSR, having served from 1988 until its dissolution in 1991...
. Dumas also made his talents amenable to Progressive rock
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
musician Charly García
Charly García
Charly García is a singer-songwriter, pianist and keyboardist from Argentina with a long career in rock music, forming successful groups such as Sui Generis and Serú Girán, cult status groups like La Máquina de Hacer Pájaros, and as a solo musician.-Early years:Charly García was the eldest son in...
, for whom he starred in a music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
rendition of Cuando Pase el Hervor (Once it Boils Over, 1988).
Having earned numerous culinary and broadcasting honors, he received the crowning Bocuse d'Or
Bocuse d'Or
The Bocuse d'Or is a biennial world chef championship. Named for the chef Paul Bocuse, the event takes place during two days near the end of January in Lyon, France at the SIRHA International Hotel, Catering and Food Trade Exhibition, and is one of the world's most prestigious cooking...
in Lyon
Lyon
Lyon , is a city in east-central France in the Rhône-Alpes region, situated between Paris and Marseille. Lyon is located at from Paris, from Marseille, from Geneva, from Turin, and from Barcelona. The residents of the city are called Lyonnais....
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, in 1993. Dumas opened what would be his last restaurant, "Gato Dumas Cocinero," in 1992 and in 1998, he established a cooking school in Buenos Aires. Operated jointly with two former students, Guillermo Calabrese and Martiniano Molina, the three also started a catering
Catering
Catering is the business of providing foodservice at a remote site or a site such as a hotel, public house , or other location.-Mobile catering:A mobile caterer serves food directly from a vehicle or cart that is designed for the purpose...
company and, in 2003, a gourmet frozen food
Frozen food
Freezing food preserves it from the time it is prepared to the time it is eaten. Since early times, farmers, fishermen, and trappers have preserved their game and produce in unheated buildings during the winter season. Freezing food slows down decomposition by turning water to ice, making it...
line ("Gato Dumas Premium"). He became a regular contributor to Elgourmet.com, the first Argentine cable and internet culinary channel (launched in 2000).
Dumas developed prostate cancer
Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is a form of cancer that develops in the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system. Most prostate cancers are slow growing; however, there are cases of aggressive prostate cancers. The cancer cells may metastasize from the prostate to other parts of the body, particularly...
and, hospitalized for a lung ailment, the renowned chef died in a Pilar
Pilar, Buenos Aires
Pilar is a city in the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. It has a population of more than 226,000 inhabitants as per the . Pilar is part of the Greater Buenos Aires urban conurbation and is the head of the administrative division of Pilar Partido...
clinic on May 14, leaving his widow, Mariana Gassó de Dumas, and five sons and daughters (four from a prior marriage). That August, Mis Historias y Mis Recetas (My Stories and Recipes) was published posthumously.
La Nación
Clarín
gatodumas.com