Dan's ClambakeMTK Co-Host Profile: Marc Murphy

Celebrity chef Marc Murphy has traveled the world, discovering exotic ingredients and tasting the finest foods. But right now? He’s really looking forward to jumping in the water.

Murphy, who will co-host Dan’s ClambakeMTK at Gurney’s Montauk on Saturday, July 30, can’t wait to spend time on the East End. “I’m excited to get out on the beach,” Murphy says. “I’m still in the city right now, and I just can’t wait. I love the beach.”

Murphy’s a busy guy; in addition to being a judge on Food Network’s Chopped, he owns Benchmarc Restaurants’ Landmarc and Ditch Plains (named after the Montauk surfing spot), Kingside and Grey Salt. Murphy also loves to surf. “I’m always looking for a new spot. It’s a fun way to relax. I’m not a good surfer but I keep trying!” he says, noting that Ditch Plains (the beach, not the restaurant) has become a little too crowded for his taste.

And somehow, Murphy had time to write Season with Authority: Confident Home Cooking, which was released this past April. Reaction to the book has been positive. “It’s been great! Now everyone’s been like, ‘When’s the next one coming out?’” Murphy laughs. “It was a great response. I tried to make the recipes accessible and not too complicated. I want people to get [the book] dirty in the kitchen because they’re using it.”

The son of a diplomat, Murphy was born in Milan and traveled to Paris, Rome, Genoa and Washington, D.C., before he was 12 years old. Globe-trotting has informed his tastes as a chef. “I think that’s how I developed a palate,” he says, noting that his mother and grandmother are also inspirations for his love of cooking.

When he’s in the Hamptons, Murphy prefers cooking for his friends and family rather than going out to eat. “I have a wood burning grill in my backyard and bring a lot of food with me. I kind of love to eat at home,” he explains. “I love grilling. In the summertime it’s one of those things. I’ll drive by a farmstand, get eggplant, asparagus, throw them on the grill.”
Murphy excuses himself from the conversation for a moment. When he returns, he apologizes. “I was just saying goodbye to some regulars who were here,” he says. A high-profile chef, a TV star, an all-around busy man, Murphy still makes time to engage with his guests and get to know his patrons.

“We’re dedicated to our locals,” Murphy says, “not just the people who come in once every 20 years.”

Dan’s Taste of Summer kicks off with Dan’s GrillHampton hosted by Adam Richman on Friday, July 22 and continues on Saturday, July 23, with Dan’s Taste of Two Forks presented by Farrell Building Company hosted by Alex Guarnaschelli, both on the waterfront at Fairview Farm at Mecox in Bridgehampton. VIP tickets for GrillHampton are $185 and offer early access to the event beginning at 7 p.m. General Admission, from 8 p.m.–10:30 p.m., is $135. VIP tickets for Taste of Two Forks are $295 and offer early access beginning at 6:30 p.m. General Admission, from 7:30 p.m.–10 p.m., is $185.

Dan’s ClambakeMTK at Gurney’s Montauk hosted by Marc Murphy and Eden Grinshpan is Saturday, July 30, from 7:30 p.m.–10 p.m. General Admission is $150. VIP tickets are $250, and include access to the exclusive after-party at Gurney’s from 10 p.m.–12 a.m.

Dan’s Harvest East End, hosted by Geoffrey Zakarian, is August 20, at McCall Vineyard and Ranch in Cutchogue. VIP tickets for Harvest East End are $285 and offer early access beginning at 6:30 p.m. General Admission, from 7:30 p.m.–10 p.m., is $135.

Tickets to all Dan’s Taste of Summer events are available now at DansTaste.com.