A taste for simplicity
It was while watching my mother and grandmother cook on our family farm in Styria, in south-eastern Austria, that I acquired an idea of cooking that has never left me since: sincere, rustic, generous, in which the greatest nobility is the heart you put into it. With a personal vision that is definitely “committed”, today I’m inaugurating a new culinary chapter at the emblematic Villa, a historic site for the Maison Lalique, since it occupies the walls of the former main residence of artist René Lalique.
At the heart of my approach lies a deep-seated desire to work with sustainable cuisine, most of which comes from a short circuit, where talented producers, breeders, fishermen and gatherers who share the same values as I do, are valued. Together, we aim for excellence in a form of simplicity, of truth, celebrating products without ever distorting them.
In asserting this virtuous circle, I also favor emotion over stylistic exercise; this echoes the heritage of the House of Lalique, but also my own, inviting memories, surprise, transmission and respect for the “long term”, always with people and know-how at the center.
In the image of the three Fs – Woman, Fauna and Flora – which characterize René Lalique’s sources of inspiration, today I articulate my culinary score around the three A’s – Alsace, my adopted homeland, Austria – my country of birth – and Germany – the country where I developed professionally.
By revisiting the dishes of my childhood, I’m giving a nod to the Alsace region, by highlighting its territory, in particular the Vosges du Nord regional nature park, and its flavors through the interplay of different spices, temperatures and textures.
Just one example?
Confit rabbit shoulder, bell pepper confit, sweet paprika sauce, baby lettuce, dried and smoked saddle of rabbit.
In this sense, I want to (re)discover the terroir for those who think they know it by heart, and inspire others to come and be surprised by a little-known ruralitý.
The leitmotif of my cooking?
There is no product more noble than another, it’s the way we dare to look at it that makes it sublime.
