Picture this: You’re a chef crafting exquisite dishes 1,000 feet above the bustling streets of New York City. Sounds glamorous, right? For Nduvo Salaam, the culinary mastermind behind 10 Cubed, it’s a mix of breathtaking views and quiet isolation.

The restaurant, perched on the 100th floor of Central Park Tower, is a hidden gem reserved exclusively for residents of the luxury building and their guests. While the menu is a stunning fusion of Afro-Caribbean flavors and French techniques, the dining room often feels more like a ghost town than a hotspot.

Chef Salaam prepares dishes like his signature honeynut pumpkin custard with Ossetra gold caviar and coriander crackers, but the exclusivity of his workplace means he’s far from the limelight. In an era where chefs are Instagram stars and their creations go viral, Salaam’s work remains largely unseen by the public.

“I’m in this hidden bubble,” he admits. Though he has the chance to cater to an elite global clientele, the lack of foot traffic and recognition can make the job feel solitary.

Luxury tower restaurants like 10 Cubed are becoming a trend in New York City, offering residents a private dining experience. But for chefs like Salaam, the trade-off is clear: breathtaking views come with a side of obscurity.

So, next time you’re gazing up at the towering skyscrapers of NYC, remember—there’s a chef up there, crafting culinary masterpieces in quiet splendor.