About

Growing up in France on a farm, near the sea, with 5 sisters, a mother, and many, many chickens. Left for good at age 24 to start my own life. First in Atlanta, GA and 2 years later to pursue photography in Manhattan. Eventually became interested in the restaurant business. Was a waiter at "The Odeon" among other things (Check on line Vanity Fair article). Run into Phyllis Della midcourse and got married eleven weeks later. Time goes by, hit a wall hard and ended up in Sedona, Arizona to recuperate and regroup. First divorce and the beginning of a personal adventure, one of needed transformation. Lucky to live on an incredibly beautiful piece of land while there called "The Joyful Jungle" and met Sharon who taught me something I needed to know. Seven years later, after I had sold almost everything I owned at "The Mother of All Garage Sales". I needed to scrape all the money to get out of town, I took off for The West Coast with cat and dog in tow. Tried to settle in Mendocino at first, but ended up in Berkeley with a job as an apprentice in my mid-forties at a Japanese Timber Framing place in Oakland "Joinery Structures". Henri came into the picture in 98. Have lived with him on "Stella", a 36' Chris Craft Constellation from 1961 for the last 8 years and Coco the cat for the last 2. A slow restoration is in progress. About 4 years ago went into business on my own. Lucky to have some great clients including "Chez Panisse" who has become over the years "family", especially now, and remaining steadily busy.

Education

• Collège Saint François Xavier

Favorite saying

• ""Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (or creation) there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would otherwise never have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of incidents and meetings and material assistance which no man would have believed would have come his way. Whatever you think you can do or believe you can do, begin it. Action has magic,grace, and power in it." Seen this quote attributed to Goethe and someone who conquered Mount Everest. So I am not sure."