CHEF DANIEL BOULUD WAS BORN IN LYON, THAT FRENCH SPRINGBOARD FOR COUNTLESS COOKING CAREERS. HE APPRENTICED IN A MICHELIN TWO STAR RESTAURANT THUS BEGINNING A TWENTY YEAR ASCENT, CULMINATING IN NEW YORK WITH HIS OWN RESTAURANT DANIEL. HIS ELEGANT STARTER IS WARM SALAD OF ASPARAGUS AND ARTICHOKES WITH BASIL OIL AND SWEET PEPPER.