Memories of my father

Jean-Louis Le Lay (1927-2005)

Born in the town of Brest, which is situated in Brittany, in the north-eastern part of France. The town was a strategically important harbour town, so when the Germans during the 2nd world war, bombed the town to bits, the family needed to flee.

My father had a long career with the airline company Air France, as a director in many countries and districts like Cameroun, Ivory Coast, Martinique, New York and Denmark. The latter is where he met my mother, and thereby I could come into this world. In a time before low cost airlines, we could despite a small budget, travel the world, which has left it’s clear marks on me.

He was an elderly father, which made it possible for him to spend more time with me growing up. But it also gave him more time for his passions. In particular to tend to our little kitchen garden, and use hours on end creating a meal for my mother and I.

Oftenly these were cooked over open fire on our little grill, and often he didn’t limit himself to a single course. It was a open and loving home, so my playmates stood in line, in hopes of being able to join for dinner.

Food was deeply rooted in classical French cuisine, but as my father was very well-travelled, he often indulged in dished from the North African, Asian or Caribbian cuisines.

The impressions and flavours from my childhood have defined my style and love of cooking. During an evening with us, you will therefore be introduced to the impressions and flavours, seasoned with anectodes from my childhood. My mission is to pay hommage to my father. To create an experience, he would love to pieces, if he were able to be here today.

“Travaille comme tu t’amuses” is what my father wrote to me shortly before he passed away. It means to work as you amuse yourself. This has become a mantra for us in restaurant, og something we try our best to live by every day.

Welcome to à terre.

Yves Le Lay,

Chef de cuisine and owner