Chef Joachim Splichal Signature & Bio

Joachim Splichal, founder of the Patina Restaurant Group known for his French-Californian cuisine has not taken the route of many of the award-winning chefs of this time. Some top chefs have turned their cooking into a franchise--producing as many as a cookbook a year. Splichal is unique in that he has only written a couple of cookbooks--and instead focuses his talent on his growing restaurant empire. Though I have come across Joachim Splichal's Patina Cookbook a few times during my cookbook hunts--I have only ever had one signed copy (photo shown below). I almost missed the signature as instead of writing out the complete first or last name, Splichal instead signs with his initials.

Splichal's Patina Cookbook retails for around $24 new. A used copy goes for about $9-$10. A signed copy, as it is harder to find, should sell for around $25-$40 depending upon availability in the market (see signed photo at bottom of post). Joachim Splichal's signature is indeed one of the harder to find signatures amongst top chefs.

About Joachim Splichal

Joachim Splichal is a top chef, well-known in the restaurant circuit. He is acknowledged by many as a major force behind the growth of the Los Angeles into a one of the world's premier dining capitals. Splichal is the founder of the Patina Restaurant Group with restaurants on both US coasts. His style has been labeled French-Californian, blending classic French cuisine with California "lightness" and "visual whimsy." Splichal opened his first restaurant, Patina Restaurant, with his wife Christine in 1989 and has opened several more French bistro-style restauarants over the years. Splichal has won many acclaimations. Among them, the James Beard Foundation recognized him as Best California Chef and has nominated him for Best Chef of the Year in both 1991 and 1994.

Patina Group Restaurants

New York Rock Center Cafe, The Sea Grill, The Ice Rink, Cucina & Co., Cafe Centro, Naples 45, Cucina & Co., Beer Bar, Brasserie, Brasserie 8-1/2, Cucina & Co., Macy's Cellar Bar & Grill, Nick and Stef's Steakhouse, The Grand Tier Restaurant New Jersey Panevino Massachusetts Tanglewood Florida Tutto Italian Ristorante California Patina, Cafe Pinot, Paperfish eat. on sunset,Patina Catering, Kendall's Brasserie and Bar, Nick and Stef's Steakhouse, Zucca Ristorante, Pinot Bistro, Leatherby's Cafe Rouge, Pinot Provence, Catal Restaurant and Uva Bar, Naples Ristorante, Tortilla Jo's, Julia's Kitchen at COPIA Nevada (Las Vegas) Pinot Brasserie

Cookbooks by Joachim Splichal

* Joachim Splichal's Patina Cookbook: Spuds, Truffles and Wild Gnocchi
* Feeding Baby: Simple, Healthy Recipes for Babies and Their Families

Signature Sample Joachim Splichal "Patina Cookbook"

Average Price Used = $9 - $10
Average Price Used and Signed = $25-$30