Thank you, Dominique!
When Dominique arrived at Les Courmettes in September 2015, he thought he would stay for a few months – just the time to get back on track after a break in his professional career, and while waiting to perhaps find a stable position as a cook in one of the many restaurants in the region. And now, six years later, Dominique is finally packing his bags and preparing to leave Les Courmettes, on the threshold of a well-deserved retirement!
He leaves with many memories, anecdotes and encounters …
Photo : Ellen Teurlings
Those who have been lucky enough to participate in the numerous residential events where Dominique was in charge of the meals, will no doubt remember his famous couscous with lamb from Courmettes, his potato aioli (yes, this is the secret of real aioli, he will explain!), or his unmissable cod brandade. Because Dominique loved cooking local dishes.
What he appreciated a little less – at least at the beginning – was beginning to cook vegetarian food, which is favoured at our Courmettes centre. As someone who likes to simmer pots over a fire or to garnish his dishes with bacon, he had to learn new ingredients and new recipes. But Dominique took up the challenge, and over the years, his vegetarian lasagne, his risottos with all sorts of vegetables, or his lentil terrine became classics on the Courmettes’ menus.
Photo : Ellen Teurlings
The various residential weeks organised with our Swiss friends will remain particularly dear to Dominique, as they were an opportunity for him to establish friendships that continue today. Dominique remains grateful to Françoise, and Anne in particular, for their faithful help in front of the stove; he even discovered, thanks to many volunteers, sometimes non-French speaking, that one can really share a lot around a kitchen table, with the common language of gestures and the desire to delight his guests!
We wish him all the best for this new chapter that is opening for him.
PS: If you know of a place that could benefit from the services of a cook who is still motivated to make his skills available, do not hesitate to contact: courmettes@arocha.org