Other sites have outlined the general history of this piece, but we go a few steps further here. The quick underlining recap: Ty Warner, owner of the Four Seasons New York, hired famed Michelin Star chef Joel Robuchon to be his executive head chef at the L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon – the premier restaurant in the hotel. The restaurant was set to open on September 5th, 2006. Mr. Warner invited select food critics, journalists, and other guests/prominent foodies in NYC to attend dinner on one of three evenings (Sept 18, 19, or 20th, 2006). Particular journalists/reporters/food critics/notables were sent this bear.
(Updated 7/21/2024). Now, how and where this bear was distributed, is a bit more varied. Again, it is said Ty made about 200 examples of this piece (this is not confirmed), but it is fair to say not many were made in total. Each distribution method outlined below.
1.) Category #1. An initial wave of bears went out to NYC journalists/foodies/chefs. The bears themselves served as invites for the opening party for the NYC restaurant. These specific bears came with a lace red ribbon in an official Ty box carrying the bear with a red “invite” placard card that on its reverse had party details and dates. Serving effectively also as a save the date. We believe these to be the top tier bears headed to most important publications/most desired attendees in the NYC area who Ty actually hoped might attend in person. Most of these examples have lost their case, ribbon, and red placard.
2.) Category #2. It is said that there were bears at the NYC event itself (across all days) – serving as table decorations/table settings. These bears did not come in a box or with any sort of placard (no need once already at the event) but served the festivities. These bears we believe could be picked up by any who attended/or were given away upon request towards the end of the event. We have seen many solo bears surface with light food stains and other ‘party damage’ – wear and tear, light jacket yellowing. These examples we guess would likely be from this category.
3.) Category #3. A few bears ended up with event organizers, and/or sent out as separate gifts. Ty typically likes to give mementoes to guests/members of his posh properties (Coral Casino bear to club members, San Ysidro Bently cat sold at the ranch gift shop, etc.). We have seen light yellowing on these as well as these bears were not kept in their origin case.
4.) Category #4. And finally, we have confirmed a few bears went out internationally, and perhaps domestically, to separate PR events under the Four Seasons umbrella. Bears went out at these intimate events with a darker opaque red ribbon, and a red placard card without the NYC event details. Recipients of this bear were either too far away to realistically be expected to attend, or received the bears after the initial event. These bears were used to raise awareness among prominent reporters, critics, and journalists Mr. Warner wanted made aware of his new restaurant, but who could not have realistically traveled to the states for the NYC event. Most of these examples have lost their case, ribbon, and red placard.
Rarity Tier: Extremely Rare
With ~200 total examples made, this piece falls into the “extremely rare” category. But to be sure, it is estimated that only 2-3 dozen examples have made it into collectors’ hands. Why is this the case? Why is this bear just so darned tough to secure compared to billionaire bears, #1 rep bears, etc.? By 2006, the beanie hysteria of the 90’s had been gone for years. Recipients of this bear were also not collectors. They were folks in/of the food industry who had no idea/interest in beanies, or were “foodies” interested in the piece as a foodie collectible (vs. beanie collectible). So these bears were most likely discarded, or remain in the hands of individuals who will just never bring them to market. Ty only invited experts, and senior foodie royalty to his event (editors-in-chief, master chefs, etc) – all of whom would have kept their bear as a memento, given away on account of lack of interest, or had no motivation to sell given little need for funds. Additionally, gifts to magazines/publications typically came with strict value limitations, so could not be accepted if more than a certain value, or resold. This is unlike the billionaire bears, for example, where recipients, Ty Employees, have more modest salaries, and know to push their pieces to the collecting market.
Most collectors are more than happy with a chef bear on its own. To many, securing a chef bear is THE ULTIMATE goal in beanie land. But there are “complete” examples that have the original red invite placard/original box and ribbon. Finding these invitation bears with all pieces intact is extraordinarily difficult. Below are pictures of one the NYC invitation bears with all pieces intact (lace ribbon and red placard card with details), two examples of the non NYC event invitation teddy (with darker opaque ribbon + partial red placard card) and a solo bear that likely served as table decoration at the event.
Rarest Beans 