Adam Tihany

Adam D. Tihany (born: Transylvania in 1948) is a hospitality designer based in New York.

He founded the multidisciplinary design firm Tihany Design in 1978, and is considered the origin of the title "restaurant designer".

His firm has designed hotel and dining properties at many notable properties around the world.

He took his first opportunity to move to America, and in 1978, he established his own multidisciplinary New York design firm.

In 1981 he designed La Coupole in New York City.

Restaurant design allowed him the opportunity to design everything from the interiors and furniture to the Bernardaud table top and uniforms.

He is often credited as being the first self-labeled "restaurant designer".

His early years working in the foodservice industry prompted him to become co-owner of Remi restaurants in 1987, together with partner and executive chef Francesco Antonucci.

Tihany has built his career around the art of hospitality.

In the restaurant industry, he collaborated with acclaimed culinary stars such as Thomas Keller, Daniel Boulud, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Charlie Palmer, Heston Blumenthal, Paul Bocuse, and Pierre Gagnaire.

Tihany has created several restaurants for Chef Thomas Keller, including the Per Se and Bouchon restaurants, as well as recently opened The Grill on Seabourn Quest.

Tihany's contribution to design has been recognized with honors and awards including an Honorary Doctorate from the New York School of Interior Design and induction into the Interior Design Hall of Fame in 1991.

Tihany was recognized by Who’s Who in Food and Beverage in the United States by The James Beard Foundation in 1997, named Bon Appetit's Designer of the Year in 2001, and awarded the prestigious Lawrence Israel Prize from the Fashion Institute of Technology in 2005.

In 1998, Tihany designed a martini glass as a prop for an advertisement which he later began selling, on a limited-basis, for $550 a piece.

He worked extensively with the Maccioni family, collaborating on eight projects including Le Cirque 2000, Osteria del Circo and the contemporary Italian restaurant, Sirio.

Chef Daniel Boulud and the designer have created three restaurants together, including Boulud’s flagship, Daniel, in New York City.

Tihany was named one of the greatest American interior architects by The New York Times in 2001.

Born in Transylvania, Adam D. Tihany spent his childhood in Jerusalem and later studied architecture at the Politecnico di Milano in Italy.

In 2004, Tihany designed the decor for a pool-side restaurant in San José del Cabo, Mexico.

His lantern design was then available for purchase.

Tihany’s hotel work can be found in One & Only Cape Town resort in South Africa, Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas, Westin Chosun in Seoul, The Joule in Dallas, The King David Hotel in Jerusalem, The Beverly Hills Hotel, The Breakers in Palm Beach, The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, and the Four Seasons Dubai DIFC.

He was appointed Art Director of The Culinary Institute of America in 2011 and currently sits on Pratt Institute’s Board of Trustees.

Hotels

Restaurants

Cruise Ships

Exhibits

Tihany worked on Holland America and Seabourn vessels, slated for delivery between 2016-2018.

He served as Creative Director for the new Costa Cruises, overseeing a team of acclaimed design firms in the development of Italy’s finest.

Tihany has licensed product lines for several companies: Pace Collection and McGuire; Villeroy & Boch and Schönwald china, hardware for Valli & Valli; lighting for Lucifer and Baldinger and linens for Frette.

His long-standing association with Christofle has resulted in Collection 3000, Urban flatware, and K + T Hollowware designed with Thomas Keller.

He recently collaborated with Poltrona Frau in the creation of The Stanley Chair, which debuted in the company’s new home theater collection in spring of 2016.