Esther McManus

Born in Marrakesh, Chef Esther Press-McManus was the first generation of “educated” girls in her family, studying and teaching French from Morocco to Israel. She eventually found her way to Philadelphia, where she became the chef at The Garden Restaurant, the Barclay Hotel, and DiLullo’s. She was the Consulting Chef at Le Bus in the 1990s, where Chef McManus helped build the once-small restaurant and the idea of artisan bread into the empire it is today. Now, Le Bus bread can be found in literally hundreds of restaurants and stores throughout the region.

It is no surprise that when Julia Child decided to write a tome on the best baking in America, she called on Chef McManus for her expertise. Baking with Julia became a PBS hit and a bestselling book, and the teaming of Julia Child and Esther McManus lovingly preparing perfect croissants captured the charm and sincerity for which Chef McManus is known.

 A beloved chef instructor at The Restaurant School (now Walnut Hill College) for many years, Chef McManus led the students on a much-anticipated tour in France each year.