René Arend
René Arend | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1928 Luxembourg |
| Died | 2016 (aged 88) |
| Education | College Technique de Strasbourg |
René Arend (1928–2016)[1] was a Luxembourg-born chef who served as the first executive chef for McDonald's. He is best known for creating several of McDonald's popular menu items, including Chicken McNuggets and the McRib sandwich.[2][3][4][5][6][7]
Early life and career
[edit]Arend was born in Luxembourg and graduated at the top of his class from the College Technique de Strasbourg in 1952.[7] He began his culinary career at the Continental Hotel in Luxembourg and later at the luxury Drake Hotel in Chicago, where he won a gourmet contest in 1959 with his dish, "supreme de poularde Amphitryon".[3][7] He later worked as the executive chef at Chicago's Whitehall Club for 14 years.[4]
Career at McDonald's
[edit]In 1976, Arend joined McDonald's as its first executive chef, recruited by founder Ray Kroc and CEO Fred L. Turner to expand the menu. Initially, Arend declined Kroc's offer, stating, "I'm a chef, I don't believe in hamburgers."[4][7] Arend eventually relented and chose to work for McDonald's, stating he was influenced by Kroc's persistence, better hours and benefits, and the opportunity to reach a broader audience with his culinary expertise.[2][3][4]
One of Arend's significant contributions to McDonald's was the development of the Chicken McNugget. Initially, Ray Kroc asked him to focus on onion nuggets, however he pivoted to chicken at the request of Fred Turner in 1979.[8][9][10] Arend worked on developing the new Chicken McNugget product over 14–16 months[4] and was responsible for determining the composition of the new item, along with developing the accompanying sauces, which originally included barbecue, sweet and sour, and hot mustard.[2] After an extremely successful launch in test markets in circa 1980–1981, McDonald's launched the Chicken McNugget nationwide in 1983 after overcoming initial chicken supply shortages.[5][9][10][11]
Arend also collaborated with animal science professor Roger Mandigo to create the McRib, which debuted in Kansas City-area McDonald's in 1981, before a nationwide release in 1982.[3][12] Inspired by pulled pork barbecue he tried in South Carolina, Arend designed the McRib to resemble a rack of ribs, despite being a boneless pork patty.[3] Its creation was, in part, a response to the popularity of the Chicken McNugget and a resulting chicken shortage, along with McDonald's desire for additional menu options.[5][11]
Retirement and death
[edit]Arend retired from full-time work at McDonald's in 1990,[8] and died in August 2016 at age 88.[5]
References
[edit]- ^ Marx de Salcedo, Anastacia (24 November 2017). "How US Army Technology Gave Rise to the McRib". VICE. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
- ^ a b c "BEHIND THE MCDONALD'S MENU LIES THE SKILL OF A MASTER CHEF". The Morning Call. 21 March 1984. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Moser, Whet (25 October 2011). "The Invention of the McRib and Why It Disappears from McDonald's". Chicago Magazine. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Sloane, Leonard (20 April 1981). "BUSINESS PEOPLE; MCDONALD'S CHEF LOOKS FOR QUALITY". The New York Times. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
- ^ a b c d Bella, Timothy (5 October 2023). "The McRib is back (again): How a McNugget shortage led to its rise". Washington Post. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
- ^ Okun, Janice (7 October 1988). "RENE AREND, MCDONALD'S CHEF MEET THE INVENTOR OF CHICKEN MCNUGGETS". Buffalo News. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
- ^ a b c d Heinrich, Mark (10 June 1981). "Sauce Keeps McDonald's Profits Palatable". Syracuse Post Standard. p. 41 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "McNugget makeover". Chicago Tribune. 5 October 2003. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
- ^ a b "10 Things You Probably Didn't Know About McDonald's Chicken McNuggets". McDonald’s Corporation. 27 April 2022. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
- ^ a b McKenna, Maryn (28 December 2012). "The Man Who Invented Chicken Nuggets—18 Years Before McDonald's Did". Slate Magazine. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
- ^ a b "The Cult of the McRib". MAXIM. February 3, 2009. Archived from the original on October 28, 2011. Retrieved October 25, 2011.
- ^ Snider, Mike (20 November 2024). "McRib 2024: McDonald's returns pork sandwich to menu nationwide". USA TODAY. Retrieved 1 December 2024.