Oscar Tschirky

Oscar Tschirky (1866 in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland – November 6, 1950 in New Paltz, New York, USA) was maître d'hôtel of Delmonico's Restaurant and subsequently the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in Manhattan, New York, United States. He was widely known as "Oscar of the Waldorf"^[1] and produced a large cookbook (or at least had his name on it) despite not being a chef. He is also pictured on a relish bottle displayed in the lobby of the Waldorf-Astoria hotel along with other photos of him at the major events during his tenure as maître d'hôtel. He is known, moreover, as the creator of Veal Oscar, and of the Waldorf salad, and for aiding in the popularization of Thousand Island Dressing. Tschirky reputedly had a hand in the creation of Eggs Benedict, although differing accounts make this hard to confirm.

Tschirky had a farm in New Paltz where he hosted picnics for friends and family as well as other chefs. In later years the property was purchased by the Philantropique Society and was operated as a retirement home for chefs. It would later become open to the general public and was known as The Culinarians' Home.

Cornell University holds the Oscar Tschirky papers and his noted collection of menus (Cornell University School of Hotel Administration). Karl Schriftgiesser wrote a biography, Oscar of the Waldorf, that appears to be virtually an autobiography. Much recollection is devoted to the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel and its founder, George C. Boldt, and his wife, Louise Kehrer Boldt.

References

1. ^ Oscar of the Waldorf

Persondata
Name	Tschirky, Oscar
Alternative names	Oscar of the Waldorf
Short description	Oscar Tschirky was a famous maître d’hôtel of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. He is credited with inventing the Waldorf salad, eggs Benedict, and other epicurean delights, which are famous world wide.
Date of birth	1866
Place of birth	Switzerland
Date of death	November 6, 1950
Place of death	New York