Childhood and youth
The future restaurateur Igor Olegovich Bukharov was born into a military family in early June 1960. Zodiac sign: Gemini. Despite the fact that his place of birth was Moscow, the family soon moved to Germany, where his father was transferred due to his service. Bukharov's parents are Russian by nationality. Igor's grandfather at one time became famous as a classical singer. He performed leading roles in the best opera houses in the country: Odessa, Mariinsky and Bolshoi.
Igor Bukharov in his youth and now
A year after graduating from high school in Weimar, German Democratic Republic, the stately (Igor’s height is 175 cm), but not very athletic young man is assigned to a motorized rifle division located on the shores of the White Sea near Murmansk. There he served the required two years.
Restaurateur Igor Bukharov
Having been demobilized, Igor did not have time to submit documents for entrance exams to the university and found himself without classes and work. On the advice of his friend Konstantin Ilyutin, Bukharov, having no idea about the cooking process, went to work as an assistant cook in the Moscow restaurant “Budapest”. This incident determined Bukharov’s further biography.
“The concept of “bread and circuses” needs to be implemented without much cynicism”
— Igor Olegovich, not long ago you came to Kazan for the annual RANEPA Summer Campus, during which entrepreneurship in the field of culture and entertainment was discussed. In your opinion, how important is this topic in economics today? Is it timely to discuss it with students now?
— Firstly, the world is changing. If you yourself do not understand what will be promising in the near future, or if your parents did not tell you this, then there is a high risk of finding yourself in a disadvantageous position. Plus, you must always keep in mind that during the four years that you study at a university in your specialty, completely new, in-demand professions may arise in the world, in which you will understand nothing at all.
Secondly, culture is very important for personal development. And for a culture to exist, it must somehow support itself financially. Let's take architecture for example: initially someone invested in the construction of buildings, which over time were assessed as cultural heritage. Plus, funds are needed for restoration and maintenance, but where to get them?
Let's take museums: the paintings that are presented there were previously purchased by someone for a lot of money, but today they belong to the whole society. Again, maintenance (and painting or sculpture requires special conditions) requires funds. I’m not saying that museums need to be completely self-sustaining, but we should at least strive to generate additional income. Therefore, in my opinion, entrepreneurship in the cultural sector is very important.
Let's move on to entertainment: what is it? This is also part of the national culture. Let's take Sabantuy - the festival of the plow. People sowed and then celebrated. In order to continue this tradition to this day, you need to have an understanding of how to celebrate this holiday - how to make it so that, to some extent, it pays for itself.
“Let's move on to entertainment: what is it? This is also part of the national culture. Let's take Sabantuy - the festival of the plow. People sowed and then celebrated. In order to continue this tradition to this day, you need to have an understanding of how to celebrate this holiday.” Photo by Oleg Tikhonov
— A slightly utilitarian approach is emerging...
— Let me clarify right away that I am against a completely utilitarian approach, but getting at least additional income is very important. This is also important for local authorities, since they have the opportunity to direct tax money to some other equally important things. If you look at the experience of the USA, then Las Vegas, as an entertainment center, brings a certain profit, which they were able to turn into their income. This needs to be learned. But the concept of “bread and circuses” must be implemented without much cynicism.
I repeat once again: this needs to be learned. If you don’t understand technology, if you don’t know how to organize a party in a way that is convenient, inexpensive, and so that participants can make money from it, then most likely you are doomed to failure. You need to take this seriously and learn from it.
Career
For six years, Igor studied the secrets of cooking and achieved considerable success. After “Budapest”, the promising culinary specialist was invited to the position of deputy director of the “Aist” cafe, and after some time, Igor Olegovich became at the helm of the “Hamburger” cafeteria. During these same years, he managed to obtain a higher education at the G. Plekhanov Institute and became a certified economist in the field of public catering.
Igor Bukharov’s restaurant “Nostalgie”
The first author's project of the accomplished chef was the opening of the Nostalgie restaurant. Bukharov’s partner was Roman Rozhnikovsky, and the author of the idea was Rolan Anatolyevich Bykov. He also provided premises on the territory of the Children's Cinema Development Fund. It was the first restaurant in Moscow that served exclusively haute cuisine and also featured live jazz.
In the second half of the 90s, the Nostalgie restaurant became a cult place where you could not only come and enjoy food, but also listen to music. Many now famous musicians, representatives of the jazz movement, started in Igor Bukharov’s restaurant.
Successful restaurateur Igor Bukharov
Inspired by his work, Bukharov had no intention of stopping. In the late 90s, he and his team mastered a new direction and opened a sommelier school on the basis of the first restaurant. In addition to the department for tasters, the school successfully runs various courses that train personnel for the restaurant business.
The businessman’s second project was the summer establishment “Shater”, which was opened on Chistye Prudy. Its cuisine consisted of original dishes, and the interior and musical accompaniment were designed in oriental style. After this, two more establishments appeared - “Bukharovcafe-premium” and “Reporter”.
Igor Bukharov - President of the Federation of Restaurateurs
In 1997, Igor Olegovich was elected president of the Federation of Restaurateurs, which is included in an international organization consisting of representatives from over 40 countries.
Three years after this event, Bukharov is offered to head two printed publications - Distillator and Vinomania, which he gladly does. The magazines have been published for 10 years. In 2007, a comprehensive Training Center for Russian restaurateurs was created. A true nutrition expert was noticed in the Kremlin and in 2008 he was invited to head the Kremlevsky food department.
Igor Bukharov is the author of several cookbooks
Actively using his experience, Igor Olegovich becomes the dean of the Faculty of Hotel and Restaurant Business at the Institute of Industry Management of the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration under the President of the Russian Federation.
Bukharov wrote a book about his business “Nostalgie. The secret of success”, as well as a historical work about Russian restaurants of the 19th century. On radio “Echo of Moscow” he hosts the “Kitchen Secrets” program together with Matvey Ganapolsky.
Bukharov, like his wife, often appears on television. In 2016, Larisa and Igor were invited to the “Smak” program. Apparently, the married couple liked the idea of holding a cooking show so much that they became participants in a new program on Channel One, “TiliTeleTesto.”
Igor Bukharov, Renat Agzamov and Larisa Guzeeva on the project “TiliTiliTesto”
Guzeeva acted as its presenter, and Igor Bukharov and the best confectioner of Russia Renat Agzamov were experts and members of the jury.
Despite the fact that the show was warmly received by viewers, it was not renewed for a second season.
Personal life
Igor Bukharov has been happily married to Russian film actress and popular TV presenter Larisa Guzeeva for many years. Igor met her when he was 17 years old. He was modest and shy, and Larisa did not take him seriously.
Larisa Guzeeva and Igor Bukharov in their youth
And only decades later the man proved to the beauty the strength of his feelings. At the time of her wedding with Bukharov, Larisa already had two divorces behind her, her beloved son Georgy was growing up, whom Igor immediately began to take care of as his own. Soon a daughter, Olga, was born into the family.
Larisa Andreevna admits that this marriage is the most successful, because it is based on friendship and sensitivity to each other. It so happened that their love story began in their student years and continued throughout their lives. In 2013, the man even got himself a tattoo with a portrait of Larisa Guzeeva on his shoulder.
However, serious passions rage in their couple all the time, and the lively Guzeeva does not give the calm Bukharov a moment of peace. For example, just on the “Smak” program she told Ivan Urgant that in 2020 their couple was on the verge of divorce. The actress admitted that she once checked her husband’s phone and saw a frivolous girl among his friends. The scandal was serious, even her children asked her to come to her senses.
It is worth noting that Igor Bukharov did not comment on this story, remaining unperturbed the entire time while his beloved woman outlined the details of their family life.
Igor Bukharov does not comment on his personal life
For some time, rumors about the illegitimate son of a restaurateur were circulated in the media, but these speculations were not confirmed in an interview with Igor Olegovich.
Guzeeva’s husband values his family and, despite his profession, allows his wife to feel like a mistress in the kitchen. Both spouses love to cook, and a few years ago Bukharov even had to lose weight: with the help of diet and sports, he lost 27 kg. You can compare Igor Olegovich’s appearance before and after the diet using numerous photos on the Internet.
Igor Bukharov before and after weight loss
Such a dramatic change in Igor Bukharov’s appearance prompted Guzeeva to think about his betrayal. But no matter how hard the media tried, they were unable to “dig up” any evidence about his affairs on the side.
In 2013, Bukharov created a page for himself on Instagram, where he regularly posts new photos. Judging by his account, he travels a lot around the country, attending culinary festivals and events.
The anniversary year for Larisa Guzeeva turned out to be difficult. The artist turned 60 years old and was tossed around for a whole year from one extreme to the other. Guzeeva even dyed her hair blonde, but this added extra years to her: therefore, in December, Larisa Andreevna again became a brunette and immediately lost ten years. By the end of the anniversary year, Guzeeva managed to cope with the main problems.
Firstly, she is now doing well in her relationship with her husband, the famous restaurateur Igor Bukharov. But they said that the family was one step away from divorce. This year the couple had a porcelain wedding - 20 years since their wedding. And if someone thought that Bukharov was looking at young people, saying that this was where all the quarrels and disputes were coming from, then there was nothing like that. Guzeeva's jealousy is to blame. Moreover, it is groundless and explosive. Recently, she couldn’t stand it and broke down on the set of one of the episodes of “Let’s Get Married!” Because they started talking about a “sore” topic - how men find lovers on social networks, correspond in instant messengers.
“Larissa reacts sharply to her husband’s communication on social networks or correspondence with women. Very jealous. Because of this, there was almost a divorce. Although Igor communicates at work - what is it like now without it? Therefore, when the same story arose on the set, Larisa could not contain her emotions and remembered her family experience and became furious: “Igor, I will throw all your phones out the window tonight! How can I not ask him a question: Why are you all in these gadgets? He: “I say Lara, I answer letters!” Yes, I’ll write you a letter myself! But he and Igor had enough experience to smooth out all the omissions in the relationship. Together, they live and continue their family relationships!” — Larisa Andreevna’s colleague told kp.ru.
It’s been a very difficult year for the host of “Let’s Get Married!” Photo: Personal page of the hero of the publication on the social network
But at the beginning of the year there was talk of a guest marriage: after all, the family has a house in Kurkino and an apartment in Moscow. Financial opportunities allow you to take a break from each other. By the way, the couple long ago purchased separate housing in the capital for their student daughter.
Igor is an exemplary family man; he doesn’t even drink alcohol. And he idolizes his wife and is condescending towards her explosive character.
Secondly, Larisa Guzeeva got her figure in order for the new year. The actress is very picky about her weight. In the fall, subscribers on social networks asked the star how she felt about Garik Kharlamov. The comedian posts clips from “Let’s Get Married!” on his social networks, where he exposes Larisa in an unsightly manner. Guzeeva responded in her own. However, the joke soon disappeared - Guzeeva periodically deletes or closes comments. Larisa Andreevna’s five-plus kilograms also disappeared before the New Year. A month ago, she went to an adaptive medicine clinic near St. Petersburg, where she underwent a detox course.
“I lost weight while starving and gained twice as much - this is a vicious system! Eat and lose weight! This clinic has this humane, safe and correct approach. I haven’t been so content and happy for a long time!” - Guzeeva does not hide, returning from the clinic to record New Year’s programs. By the way, the star has already updated her wardrobe. And TV viewers will see her updated figure on New Year’s Eve in the “light” on First.
Igor Bukharov now
At the beginning of 2020, Larisa Guzeeva appeared on the air of “Let’s Get Married!” reported that she and her husband had separated. She said that she lives with her son Georgy and daughter Olya. The media quickly replicated her words in a variety of colors. But it soon became clear that the reason for the separation of the spouses was the renovation of their country house. Larisa had to leave home for a month and a half.
Igor Bukharov does not confirm rumors of separation
At the end of June 2020, a new wave of rumors about the couple’s divorce arose on the Internet. Guzeeva in the “Ideal Repair” program said that after all, there is no smoke without fire. According to her, today their family is in a state of crisis. But she hastened to reassure fans, saying that they had sorted everything out with Igor and there would be no divorce. During her interview, Igor Bukharov and his mother-in-law were vacationing in Bulgaria (the actress has her own apartment there). Guzeeva remained in Moscow because of filming.
Igor Bukharov with his mother, wife and daughter
In 2018, Igor Olegovich published a new book “FOODball. Traditions, recipes, street food.” This is a kind of culinary journey through the football capitals of Russia. The book contains recipes from chefs and restaurateurs from the host cities of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. At the same time, dishes of regional cuisines are presented in a simple and understandable language; even novice cooks can prepare them.
