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Home > Blogs > Taste: Dayton food and restaurants > Archives > 2009 > October > 12 > Entry
L’Auberge co-founder and local chef Dieter Krug dies at 77
Dieter Krug, co-founder of l’Auberge restaurant and mentor and friend to several Dayton-area chefs, died of an apparent heart attack Saturday afternoon, Oct. 10, during a trip to his hometown of Eisenach, Germany. He was 77.
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Mr. Krug was traveling by himself and was visiting family members in Eisenach, including a nephew who was celebrating a birthday, Mr. Krug’s daughter, Claudia Krug, said this morning, Oct. 12.
Mr. Krug remained active in the local restaurant community after retiring from his position as executive chef at l’Auberge. He frequently collaborated with local chefs on special menus, including an Octoberfest menu at Savona Restaurant in Centerville just two weeks ago, shortly before he departed on his trip to Germany. He was a frequent presence in Dominique Fortin’s kitchen at C’est Tout in Oakwood and with Rinaldo DiSalvo at DiSalvo’s Deli in Kettering, where he would collaborate on special dinners.
“He was so happy to be in a kitchen,” Claudia Krug said of her father. “He loved cooking for people. When he had that chef’s hat on, he was so, so happy.”
Mr. Krug also loved Dayton, and was proud to be living in America, his daughter said.
“His friends would tease him about not buying a German-made automobile, but he would tell them: ‘I’ll drive an American car until the day I die,’ ” Ms. Krug said.
Josef Reif — who co-founded l’Auberge with Mr. Krug and owns the restaurant that is celebrating its 30th anniversary this month — said his former business partner came to l’Auberge’s kitchens two weeks ago to provide tips to the new chef and kitchen staff on preparing the special tasting menu of throwback dishes l’Auberge is serving throughout October.
“There are chefs, and there are chefs … Dieter belonged to the elite,” Reif said. “He put Dayton on the culinary map. Until the last day, he had all of his recipes flawless in his brain. And when you watched him work, it was a pleasure.”
Savona’s Taylor said of Mr. Krug, “Our community has lost a culinary legend, and I have lost my friend and my mentor. Old school chefs like Dieter are hard to find … . He showed up to work every day and would work people half his age under the table. He was a inspiration to aspiring chefs who worked under him, and the culinary world is full of talented people who owe a lot to Chef Dieter Krug.”
Chris Cavender — owner of Cuvee Wine Bar in Bellbrook and a chef who worked alongside Mr. Krug when l’Auberge opened in 1979 and went on to found his own restaurant, TW’s in Miamisburg — said he is among the many local chefs who owe a big part of their career to Mr. Krug.
“I learned more from him than I did from any school that I went to,” Cavender said.
C’est Tout’s Fortin, who collaborated with Mr. Krug on a Lobsterfest menu three weeks ago, said Mr. Krug was like a second father to him.
“He was such a gentleman,” Fortin said. “We’re going to miss him in this community.”
Ann Heller, the former Dayton Daily News food editor who got to know Mr. Krug well during her tenure as restaurant critic, said, “For Dayton diners, Krug brought more than training in classic French cuisine to a middle-sized Ohio city; he brought a gentle passion for bringing in the best ingredients. I remember that in the early days he went to the expense of flying in the ingredients for making a true French bouillabaisse, including the bony rascasse, a fish essential for the broth. I wrote at the time that the broth alone could rouse me from my deathbed.
“Though the l’Auberge menu was dotted with truffles, caviar, and foie gras, Dieter was an unpretentious man, who delighted as much in fixing a day-long preparation of turtle soup as preparing the exotic wild game he brought in each fall.
“Celebrating the Christmas season won’t be as much fun without the Christmas goose and Dieter’s famous Oysters Rockefeller, which he continued to fix after his retirement in special holiday even at C’est T out, with his friend Dominique Fortin.”
Funeral services and a memorial service are pending.
Permalink | Comments (20) | Post your comment | Categories: Local restaurant news
Comments
By Eddie Nickell
November 2, 2009 10:56 AM | Link to this
I will never forget Chef Dieter Krug, L’Auberge was an amazing place to work, I started at L’Auberge when I was 21 years old, I worked with Chef Dieter for several years, I was so green and I soaked it all in, I was amazed at the creations coming out of his Kitchen I was a very young captain and learned so much from Dieter and Josef, I credit my entire career to L’Auberge, I am now in Florida and when I heard the news I was so heartbroken, I tell this story often, people don’t believe me but it is true, Chef Dieter used to have huge Maine Lobsters shipped in and I was terrified of them “being a small town country boy” they would almost jump out of the case, Dieter knew I was scared of them and one time he chased me all over the restaurant and up the stairs and on to the roof, He laughed and laughed, I learned to appreciate fine cuisine and fine dining and because of my experience’s at LAuberge I own 2 successful restaurants and one on the way in Orlando, Florida. Thank you Chef Krug for pointing me in the right direction, you will be greatly missed. You’re a True Gem. Claudia I am so sorry, please reach out to me if you need anything at all All the best from Orlando
By David George
October 22, 2009 1:43 AM | Link to this
I started dining at L’Auberge in 1979 while serving in the AF at Wright-Patt. It was such a joy to discover a French restaurant of class in Dayton. I became friends with Dieter and Josef over subsequent years of dining with them often. Dieter was special and kind and I’ll just say that he once prepared rabbit medallions with a veal mousse and it remains in my memory as the best dinner I’ve ever had. He truly “took good care of (me)” and I’ll never forget him.
By Angela
October 19, 2009 12:19 PM | Link to this
I had the pleasure of knowing Chef Dieter while working at a local restaurant. It saddens me to know that someone who touched the lives of many in a special way has taken his final journey. My condolences to his family and friends.
By Herbert Krug
October 18, 2009 5:45 AM | Link to this
Dieter war mein Onkel und am 3.Oktober haben wir meinen 60.Geburtstag noch zusammen gefeiert, er war deshalb nach Deutschland gekommen,am 10.Oktober verstarb er unfassbar. Am 16.Oktober haben wir Abschied von ihm genommen, stellvertretend für seine amerikanischen Freunde nahm Georg Frauendorfer daran teil.
By Herbert Krug
October 18, 2009 5:38 AM | Link to this
Dieter war mein Onkel und am 03.Oktober hatten wir zu meinem 60.Geburtstag noch eine sehr schöne Party, er war deswegen nach Deutschland gekommen. Unfassbar deshalb sein plötzlicher Tod. Am 16.Oktober haben wir Abschied von ihm genommen. Stellvertretend für seine amerikanischen Freunde war Georg Frauendorfer anwesend.
By George N. Spraley
October 14, 2009 7:19 PM | Link to this
I trained under Dieter for over two years. He was a wonderful chef and friend. I credit my career to Dieter. He will be greatly missed in the Culinary World!!
By larry j
October 13, 2009 10:19 PM | Link to this
i have known deiter since he was the chef at the original “king cole”and remember watching him cook on the exhibition grill, a steak that i had to share with my sister, in the early ‘60;s…he always promised me his favorite veal recipe~~~i never got it!…he was classic! we all will miss him!
By Dinah Denmark
October 13, 2009 8:39 PM | Link to this
Dieter was a great chef, but more importantly, he was a beautiful spirit and a great friend of the Denmark family. Sending deepest sympathy to his daughter, Claudia.
By Jim and Doris Davis
October 13, 2009 7:03 PM | Link to this
Sorry to hear the news. We were just in Germany and missed seeing him at Fraundorfers. The 70s and 80s were some good times. All of our condolences from Florida.
By Karen O'Grady
October 13, 2009 2:29 PM | Link to this
Claudia…your Papa was a fine and good man who lived his life doing the kind and simple things for the people he knew whenever he saw a need. His sense of doing always the “right thing” came to him intrinsically, never needing a prod; it was part of the charm that made everyone happy to have met him…(and those twinkling blue eyes didn’t hurt either). He will be missed by the many that knew him and remembered by all the touching and funny stories he shared about his past. I am so sorry for your loss…God Bless him and may he rest in peace.
By idy Haverstick
October 13, 2009 10:40 AM | Link to this
Claudia: I was so sorry to hear of the passing of your father. Jay and I spent happy times with Dieter at the Cincinnati baseball games in Cincinnati and Florida. Jay and Dieter were great friends and enjoyed times together just talking. He will be missed.
By Larry and Arleen Porter, Tracy, Sue, and John
October 13, 2009 9:47 AM | Link to this
Dear Claudia,We were saddened to hear of your father’s passing. Everyone knows he was a noted chef, but we remember him as a wonderful neighbor and fine gentleman. He will be missed.
By Michelle Henry
October 13, 2009 8:28 AM | Link to this
Claudia, I am so sorry to learn of your loss. I have fond memories of hanging out in the kitchen at L’Auberge while your dad was working and eating the incredible food. Such a loss and my heart hurts for you knowing what a difficult time this must be for you and your family.
By Cathy
October 12, 2009 5:29 PM | Link to this
I had the pleasure of working for Chef Krug in the mid 90’s. Have many fond memories- He was more than a boss to many of the kitchen, he was a like a father.
By Joe
October 12, 2009 4:57 PM | Link to this
The Best chef in Dayton. Nobody can match his sauces. He set the standard and will be missed.
By MJMarlin
October 12, 2009 3:37 PM | Link to this
Claudia we are so sorry to hear the news of your father’s passing. He was a great chef and will be sorely missed. Missed not only by those of us who would flock to restaurants where he was preparing a special meal but also by those he has mentored over the years. May he rest in peace.
By Paula
October 12, 2009 3:09 PM | Link to this
I am so sorry to hear of Dieter’s passing. He was such a wonderful man! I always enjoyed seeing him. He always made me feel special when he worked at L’Auberge. He even allowed me in the kitchen and would make me anything I asked for. What a special treat that was! He will truly be missed.
By Karen Schaffer
October 12, 2009 1:46 PM | Link to this
I am sorry to hear of Dieter’s passing. I worked as a hostess in 1975 at the Inn Restaurant where I met him. He was such a talented chef man and very entertaining. He always made me laugh.
By VSS
October 12, 2009 11:59 AM | Link to this
Sorry to hear this news. Dieter was always so nice. He will be missed.
By John Huffman
October 12, 2009 11:44 AM | Link to this
So sorry to learn of Dieter’s passing, he was a true Gentleman and a good friend. He will be missed. My condolences to his friends and family.