By John Barton, General Operations Manager for Dean & DeLuca Far East
I started working for Dean & DeLuca in 2008, fulfilling a long-term ambition of mine. But, for years before I started working for the company, I had been visiting the flagship store in SoHo. Whenever I was in Manhattan, visiting from England, my wife and daughter would head off to Macy’s or Bloomingdale’s, and I would just hang about in the market.
John Barton
As an Englishman, the difference I found while shopping at Dean & DeLuca wasthe concept of educating thecustomerwith the try before you buy mentality. This was totally alien to a Brit such as me, who would risk arrest at any of our supermarkets if I so much as ate a single grape before I paid for it. But being able to wander around the SoHo store and see demonstrations taking place and staff willing to cut you a slice of Parma Ham to try, was just so exciting. I honestly used to spend hours in the shop.
So it was fate, I believe, that led to the call I received asking me to become part of the Dean & DeLuca family. I work on the international side of the business, opening stores and cafes in the Middle East, and now in the Far East. We have opened stores and cafes in Japan, Taiwan, Dubai, Qatar, Kuwait and the latest venture is our first store in Thailand.
It is amazing how well-known the brand has become across the globe, but one thing remains constant, no matter where you are, and that is the New York philosophy of celebrating great food with our customers.
Spending the last few years in Asia, I have experienced some fantastic taste sensations and believe that some of the best food is made from the simplest ingredients. Over the coming weeks, I look forward to sharing great recipes and my gastronomic experiences with you. If you have any questions about Asian food or cooking, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below. I’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Best wishes,
John Barton
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Comments ( 5 )
Mark, great to hear that you are coming over to Bangkok….our place is really easy to find…it is at the Chong Nonsi BTS Station which will be on your guide map. The BTS is really easy to use and all the stations etc are signed in English. I do have plans to introduce local dishes on the menu, but for the first few weeks I want to give the Bangkok public a taste of New York. But please do not despair as you will really be spoilt for choice when it comes to local food I promise you….and you have got to try the Coconut Sticky Rice with Mango….it is to die for. Please say hello when you visit the Store and I will be happy to tell you the best places for Bangkok food…..
John Barton added these pithy words on Jul 20 10 at 9:09 am Hi John,
Any chance of you opening in Australia?
Mark added these pithy words on Jul 22 10 at 6:30 am There is a real appreciation of great food in Australia, particularly in Sydney and Melbourne which are two fantastic cities with a really vibrant food culture. Perhaps our CEO Mark Daley could answer that for you. You can catch up with him on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/markddaley
John Barton added these pithy words on Jul 22 10 at 1:35 pm Great Shout Mark,
There is a real appreciation of great food in Australia, particularly in Sydney and Melbourne which are two fantastic cities with a really vibrant food culture. Perhaps our CEO Mark Daley could answer that for you. You can catch up with him on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/markddaley
John Barton added these pithy words on Jul 22 10 at 2:24 pm Hey there,
I really don't know how I landed here but when I read this page I wanted to comment. I live in Kuwait and Dean and Deluca has been one the greatest addition to the Market in sometime. Love everything about it!
I run a food blog and many a times it was too difficult to get certain things for my recipes which now I can.
Thanks
Kulsum added these pithy words on Oct 30 10 at 11:49 am 
