Elvir Dzananovic has been a member of the Daniel Boulud family for almost 20 years. Originally from Bosnia-Herzegovina, Elvir started as a Server Assistant at Daniel in 2000 and has risen to the position of Service Director.
After leaving war-torn Bosnia, Elvir and his family had been living in the Czech Republic since he was fifteen years old. In an effort to support his family, Elvir worked at his uncle’s local bar and deli. Foreign to the Czech language, he worked behind the scenes, restocking shelves and chopping vegetables. He progressed to the front-of-house, taking orders and serving guests. Elvir and his family were not able to go back to Bosnia. Instead, Elvir moved to America through the International Rescue Committee, where he met Chef Daniel and got his first job. Over the years he learned the intricacies of fine-dining and steadily progressed, moving up to food runner, lounge server, assistant captain, captain, and eventually one of the floor maître d’s in 2010. During his eight years in that capacity, Elvir worked tirelessly with the team to ensure a polished and efficient service infused with a warm sense hospitality at every turn.
In 2018, Daniel asked Elvir to oversee the dining room staff at Café Boulud. He was a familiar face to the clientele there and was a mentor to the team. But his heart remained at Daniel and he returned in July 2019. “Elvir is family to me and the rest of the Dinex family,” says Daniel, “It has been my privilege to work with him and see him grow as a person, a husband and father, and my friend.”
In his new position of Service Director, Elvir will have full responsibility for the hospitality of every guest who comes through our front door. He will continue to set the tone for excellence, by sharing his experiences, teaching, and nurturing the next young Server Assistant who will grow with Daniel for the next 20 years.