When Amanda Shulman turned her pop-up restaurant into a permanent Rittenhouse steward named Her Place Supper Club (herplacephilly.com), locals cheered at the idea of the chef/owner’s sumptuous prix fixe menus. Tasty plates like chicken liver gougere and more led Schulman to become a 2022 James Beard semifinalist for Emerging Chef, and again as a nominee in the same category for 2023. With a brand new restaurant on the horizon for spring 2023, Shulman chats James Beard Taste America, her favorite restaurants and pivotal moments that got her to where she is today.
It's been a long journey to get to where you are today. What is one pivotal moment that you think really helped to make your career?
This is more of a string of moments but.... throwing dinner parties in my apartment in New York while I was a line cook was instrumental. It gave me confidence in planning and executing full menus and took away any sort of fear of sharing what I was making. It made me think about a new style of dining that I ended up building my restaurant around.
What is your favorite part about being a chef/owner?
Flexibility and the ability to make up our own rules. I would say we color outside of the lines at Her Place...It's been incredible being able to build a business and find a team that cares as much as I do. Growing the team has been the most rewarding part.
What are you most excited for when it comes to the JBF Taste America?
I'm excited to be around peers I respect and admire and people who support what we're doing.
What is your favorite dish to make at home? Describe it.
Honestly a lot of one-pot spicy chicken stews. I love throwing kimchi into stew bases and poaching eggs in puddles of bubbling spicy pickle-y liquid.
What is your favorite restaurant? Outside of your own, of course!
This is hard!!! I eat at A. Kitchen more than anywhere else and think Eli has the magic touch. Emei is my forever craving.
What is your hope for Philadelphia's restaurant scene as it continues to grow?
I hope Philadelphia opens its arms to more independent small restaurants. Opening a restaurant is really hard, but they are the lifeblood of the city and give it the color and flavor that makes it an awesome place to live. I hope Philly continues to support the baby spots it has but also makes it easier and inviting for more of them to flourish.
Anything new for you in 2023 that would be worth buzzing?
Oh boy. New restaurant spring 2023. My Loup at 2005 Walnut St.
Photography by: Courtesy of Amanda Shulman
