Chef Dan Barber

MAD in New York City

Photographing the MAD event for NOMA was hands down one of the coolest gigs I’ve had. I mean, how often do you get to capture culinary legends like Dan Barber, René Redzepi, and a bunch of other top chefs in one room? The whole vibe was electric, with everyone there talking food, creativity, and what’s next for the culinary world. It felt like being in the middle of something really special, and I loved being able to document it.

I brought my Sony A1 to the event, which was the perfect choice. The lighting wasn’t exactly the easiest to work with, but the A1 made it a breeze. It’s quick, sharp, and handled the low-light moments like a champ—so I could focus on getting the candid shots and little details without missing a thing. Whether it was capturing the chefs deep in conversation or those quick, fun moments between the guests, it was just a blast.

The best part, though, was the people. Dan Barber, René Redzepi, and all the chefs were genuinely awesome to photograph. Seeing them interact with each other, sharing ideas and insights, was inspiring in itself. Plus, getting those behind-the-scenes moments of them being so focused or having a laugh made it feel like I was part of the action.

In the end, it wasn’t just about snapping cool photos—it was about capturing the energy and passion of the event. It was all about creativity, collaboration, and, of course, great food. Can’t wait for the next one!

Dan Barber and Jack Algiere

Chef Dan Barber and Farmer Jack Algiere during a Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture event for Young Farmers

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