WILLIAMS SONOMA LAUNCHES NEW COLLABORATION WITH MICHELIN-STAR CHEF JEAN-GEORGES VONGERICHTEN

Rhea-AI Summary

Williams Sonoma (NYSE: WSM) has launched an exclusive food collection in collaboration with Michelin-star chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. The collection features eight products inspired by recipes from his sixty global restaurants, combining French cuisine with Asian flavors. Products include specialty condiments, glazes, marinades, and rubs, ranging from $12.95 to $59.95. Notable items include Apricot Ginger Mustard, Miso Yuzu Glaze, and a Seafood Sauce Trio. Store tastings will be held on November 1-2 to showcase the collection.

Positive

• Expansion of premium product line through collaboration with globally renowned chef
• Strategic diversification of revenue streams through high-margin specialty food products
• Potential to attract new customer segments through celebrity chef association

Negative

• None.

Insights

Market Research Analyst

This product launch represents a strategic but modest expansion of WSM's premium food offerings. While the Jean-Georges brand carries significant culinary prestige, the collection's price points ($12.95 to $59.95) and scope (8 items) suggest minimal direct revenue impact for a company with $16.8B market cap. The collaboration aligns with Williams Sonoma's high-end positioning and could help drive foot traffic, but likely won't materially affect financial performance. The timing ahead of holiday season is strategic, though the specialty condiment market is increasingly competitive. Previous collaborations with celebrity chefs have shown mixed results in driving sustainable sales growth.

New Food Collection Inspired by Recipes Featured at Jean-George’s Iconic Restaurants Now Available at Williams Sonoma Stores and Williams-Sonoma.com

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Williams Sonoma, portfolio brand of Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE: WSM), the world’s largest digital-first, design-led and sustainable home retailer, announced today the launch of an exclusive collaboration with one of the world’s most famous chefs and restauranteurs, Jean-Georges Vongerichten. Responsible for the operation of sixty restaurants around the world, Jean-Georges Vongerichten has developed a reputation for creating best-in-class global cuisine that continues to inspire and impact the entire culinary industry.

Jean-Georges launches new food collaboration with Williams Sonoma (Photo: Williams Sonoma)

The new Jean-Georges for Williams Sonoma collection includes eight food products that allow customers to bring home the award-winning flavors found in Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s iconic restaurants. Known for his signature fusion of classic French cuisine and vibrant Asian flavors, the new collection reflects Vongerichten’s culinary influences by combining flavors associated with France, Asia and New York.

“I am very excited to be collaborating with Williams Sonoma on our first line of products together! I often think back to 2001 when Williams Sonoma carried our grapeseed oil, spices and condiments in their stores nationwide. Fast forward to today, we’re thrilled to have partnered on this upcoming line of condiments, rubs and marinades, perfect for anyone, any season and any skill level of cooking,” said Jean-Georges Vongerichten. “Our dishes have always been intended to delight the senses and also, encourage home cooks to make them. We hope that with this line, home, aspiring and professional cooks are able to enjoy a global taste of Jean-Georges cooking in their own home.”

“Our new collaboration with Jean-Georges reflects his passion for fusing globally-inspired ingredients to develop the flavors, food and restaurants that have made him one of the world’s most celebrated chefs,” said Williams Sonoma President, Felix Carbullido. “We are proud to continue to collaborate with the best chefs in the world to create outstanding food products that replicate best-in-class restaurant experiences for our customers to enjoy at home.”

The Jean-Georges for Williams Sonoma Collection includes:

• Apricot Ginger Mustard - Spread featuring a rich, complex balance of sweet French apricot preserves, sharp mustard, zesty ginger, tangy rice vinegar and savory soy sauce, $12.95.
• Miso Yuzu Glaze - Signature glaze with a vibrant, Asian-inspired blend of umami-rich miso, bright yuzu and a hint of spicy sriracha, $22.95.
• Sriracha Garlic Marinade - Glaze with bright, umami-rich blend combines spicy sriracha and savory soy with garlic, onions and a hint of citrus, $19.95.
• Seafood Sauce Trio - Bold, modern takes on classic raw bar sauces. The signature condiments feature a Cocktail Sauce, Cubeb Pepper Mignonette, and Mustard Sauce. The Cocktail Sauce features a rich, smooth and zesty blend, while the Cubeb Pepper Mignonette has a lively, aromatic blend that has tangy and peppery notes, a hint of spice, and the vibrant flavors of shallots and cracked pepper. The Mustard Sauce has a smooth and creamy blend is enhanced with zesty lemon, chopped shallots and tangy mustard, $59.95.
• Smoked Chile Glaze - Rich, savory blend of smoky chile peppers, aromatic garlic and bright citrus, $22.95.
• Yuzu Aioli - Brings a fresh, Asian-inspired spin on a classic American condiment. A bright, creamy blend of Dijon mustard, tomato ketchup, yuzu and chiles, $19.95.
• Togarashi Rub - Bold, umami-rich blend of sesame seeds and wakame seaweed is seasoned with tart lemon, savory spices and mild chili flakes, $14.95.
• Pepper Crust Rub - Perfect balance of Tellicherry black peppercorns, green peppercorns, Muntok white peppercorns and Sichuan peppercorns, featuring bold, spicy, floral and tangy notes, $14.95.

To celebrate the launch, Williams Sonoma stores will be providing customers with tastings of the new collection on Friday, November 1 and Saturday, November 2.

For more about the exclusive collaboration with Jean-Georges Vongerichten, to get recipes and tips, or to purchase products from the collection, please visit: http://www.williams-sonoma.com/jeangeorges.

ABOUT WILLIAMS SONOMA

Since its founding by Chuck Williams in 1956, the Williams Sonoma brand has been bringing people together around food. A member of Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE: WSM) portfolio of brands, Williams Sonoma is a leading specialty retailer of high-quality products for the kitchen and home, providing world-class service and an engaging customer experience. Products include cookware, cooks’ tools, cutlery, electrics, bakeware, food, tabletop and bar, outdoor, cookbooks, as well as furniture, lighting and decorative accessories. Each store offers cooking classes and tastings conducted by expert culinary staff. A comprehensive gift registry program for weddings and other special events is available in stores and online. On williams-sonoma.com, customers can find recipes, tips, and techniques that help them create delicious meals. Williams Sonoma can also be found on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and YouTube. Williams Sonoma is also part of The Key Rewards, a free-to-join loyalty program that offers members exclusive benefits across the Williams-Sonoma, Inc. family of brands.

ABOUT JEAN-GEORGES VONGERICHTEN

Jean-Georges Vongerichten's culinary journey began at a young age, steeped in the rich food culture of his Alsatian upbringing near Strasbourg, France. His formative years were spent helping cook for employees of his father’s coal business to then honing his craft under renowned chefs. He began a work-study program at Auberge de l’Ill as an apprentice to Chef Paul Haeberlin, then went on to work under Paul Bocuse and Master Chef Louis Outhier at L’Oasis in southern France. With this impressive three-star Michelin background, Jean-Georges began his journey in Asia, as Chef de Cuisine at the Oriental Hotel in Bangkok, the Meridien Hotel in Singapore and the Mandarin Hotel in Hong Kong. It was during this time spent working and traveling throughout Asia that Jean-Georges developed his love for the exotic and aromatic flavors of the East. Vongerichten also quickly departed from the traditional reliance on heavy creams and meat stocks, instead celebrating the vibrancy of vegetable juices, fruit essences, light broths, and herbal vinaigrettes. These two pivotal moments in his career led him to develop his own distinctive style of cooking which has been celebrated for the past 50 years.

His journey in Asia led him to London, Boston and New York where he was the Executive Chef at Lafayette at The Drake Hotel. In 1991, Jean-Georges opened his first solo restaurant, JoJo and 50 years on, Jean-Georges stands proud with over 60 restaurants around the world in 13 countries.

Beyond his culinary mastery, Vongerichten embodies the spirit of a true restaurateur. From conceptualizing unique dining experiences to crafting innovative menus, architectural design and lighting, Vongerichten focuses on every detail ensuring a holistic approach that guarantees consistent excellence and timeless appeal across his numerous establishments worldwide. Inspired by his global travels, Vongerichten remains a constant innovator, forever adapting to and influencing the ever-evolving culinary and design landscapes.

WSM-PR

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241029036740/en/

Kendall Coleman

Williams Sonoma

KAColeman@WSGC.com

415-616-7926

Source: Williams-Sonoma, Inc.

FAQ

What products are included in Williams Sonoma's (WSM) Jean-Georges collection?

The collection includes eight products: Apricot Ginger Mustard ($12.95), Miso Yuzu Glaze ($22.95), Sriracha Garlic Marinade ($19.95), Seafood Sauce Trio ($59.95), Smoked Chile Glaze ($22.95), Yuzu Aioli ($19.95), Togarashi Rub ($14.95), and Pepper Crust Rub ($14.95).

When will Williams Sonoma (WSM) offer tastings of the Jean-Georges collection?

Williams Sonoma will offer in-store tastings of the Jean-Georges collection on Friday, November 1 and Saturday, November 2.

How much does the Jean-Georges collection at Williams Sonoma (WSM) cost?

The collection prices range from $12.95 for the Apricot Ginger Mustard to $59.95 for the Seafood Sauce Trio.