He was the chef at Delmonico 's until his retirement in 1896 , except for a short break from 1876 and 1879 when he owned the `` Hotel American '' at Enghien-les-Bains . He was the chef at Delmonico 's until his retirement in 1896 , except for a short hiatus from 1876 and 1879 when he owned the `` Hotel American '' at Enghien-les-Bains .