The Chez Panisse Fire

Fire struck Chez Panisse on Friday morning. But Alice Waters and her "family" are already planning the restaurant's rebirth

By Danielle Walsh

March 8, 2013

We all watched with sadness this morning as flames leaped from the facade of Chez Panisse, the result of a fire that apparently started under the front porch. The famed restaurant will be closed for some time, although the damage was reportedly not catastrophic. As news of the fire spread, various members of the Chez Panisse family gathered to console
Alice Waters, offer their help, and issue this statement:

Early this morning an electrical fire broke out under the front porch of the downstairs dining room at Chez Panisse. Thankfully, no one was hurt and the damage was mostly contained to that area. We would like to thank everyone for their support--particularly the men and women of the Berkeley Fire Department who have now saved the restaurant not once, but twice!

Exactly 31 years ago today, we had our first fire at the restaurant that destroyed the wall separating the dining room from the kitchen. We never rebuilt that wall and it changed Chez Panisse completely, establishing that beautiful connection between the kitchen and the dining room. It is vitally important that things are renewed and restored and we have already begun the process of rebuilding. In the next few days, we will better understand the scope of the damage and be able to determine when we can reopen.

We are deeply touched by the outpouring of support from the community, our friends and extended family. Thank you! It inspires us to think of what might be possible...

With love,
Alice and the Chez Panisse family