Ariane Daguin was born into a world of great food. Her father, André Daguin, is famous throughout France for his artistry with foie gras and other Gascon specialties. Ariane was expert at deboning ducks, rendering duck fat, preparing terrines and cooking the game birds her grandfather hunted by the time she was ten.
A career in food might have seemed natural, but Ariane decided to pursue an academic degree at Columbia University. While working part-time for a New York pâté producer, Ariane was in the right place when the opportunity to market the first domestically produced foie gras presented itself. She and a co-worker pooled their financial resources and love of food to launch D’Artagnan as the only purveyor of game and foie gras in the U.S. at the time. Devoted advocates for natural, sustainable and humane production, Ariane and D’Artagnan have been at the forefront of the organic movement in America, pioneering organic, free-range chicken (years before the FDA allowed the word “organic” on the label), and humanely raised veal.
The creation of D’Artagnan coincided with a growing sophistication in American cuisine.
According to Jean-Georges Vongerichten, “D'Artagnan changed food in America by introducing high quality products to the American market, items Americans weren't familiar with like foie gras, game and wild mushrooms. The emphasis has always been on organic products and free range as well. As chefs, we can only create great food with great ingredients, something D'Artagnan has always supplied us with."
In 2005 after two decades of collaboration, Ariane acquired her partner’s share of the company to become sole owner. Now, five years after that momentous decision, Ariane is proud to celebrate the 25th anniversary of D’Artagnan in 2010.
In addition to running D’Artagnan, developing new products and researching innovative and ecologically responsible methods of production, Ariane is founding president of Les Nouvelles Mères Cuisinières, an international association of prestigious women chefs. She is on the board of City Harvest, and active in The American Institute of Wine & Food and Women Chefs and Restaurateurs. Recognized in 1994 by The James Beard Foundation “Who’s Who of Food and Beverage in America,” Ariane is now a member of the Awards Committee. In 2005, Ariane received the “Lifetime Achievement Award” from Bon Appetit magazine, and in September 2006, was awarded the French Legion d'Honneur. She lives in New York City with her daughter Alix, who grew up alongside D’Artagnan.
COMPLIMENTS OF THE CHEFS:
“D’Artagnan and Ariane and her team helped us, the chefs, find better products. But also created better products and convinced farmers to grow things for us, and do beautiful things for us just like in the Southwest of France, where Ariane is from. She could not have been a better partner for us.”
-Daniel Boulud, Bar Boulud, Daniel, DBGB, Café Boulud, DB Bistro Moderne
“Before D’Artagnan, there was not a reliable source for high-end staples like foie gras, wild ducks, and quail for the serious chef. D’Artagnan became a singular source for these products, making every chef in New York’s job a little bit easier.”
-Alfred Portale, Gotham Bar and Grill
“It has been essential to us to have the foie gras, the venison, the chicken and everything else that D’Artagnan distributes. From all of us at Le Bernardin, thank you very much!”
-Eric Ripert, Le Bernardin
“The product that Ariane brings to market is of the highest order, but I have a special place in my heart for D’Artagnan because as I grew and matured as a chef the company grew up alongside me. I applaud the great work that Ariane and her entire crew at D’Artagnan have done up to this point, and I look forward to working with them for many years to come.”
-Tom Colicchio, Craft Restaurant, Top Chef host
“If it wasn’t for D’Artagnan, people wouldn’t know how to eat in New York City, that’s for sure.”
-Mauro Maccioni, Le Cirque
