Many years ago, I came to Japan when a famous Japanese chemistry Professor invited me to come to do research at the Kyoto University. And it was there it all began…

I was truly fortunate to be surrounded by great people who introduced me to a new world.

Japanese cuisine with its eye for every minute detail, it’s amazing plates, ceramics, and lacquerware which are carefully chosen for each dish, with the meditating quietness of the surrounding, unusual and fascinating ingredients, spices, and flavors which are used in perfect amounts that one can taste and appreciate each component – this is the world I fell in love with.

I was traveling a lot – as a scientist and as a curious tourist – and I was absorbing the flavors of different cultures and cuisines. I was learning languages through cuisine, and I had a chance to be able to celebrate food at home.

I started to enter cooking contests and was fortunate enough to do well in them. Winning these contests was very satisfying, but there is nothing more rewarding than inspiring others and seeing them falling in love with food too. 

Over time, my dishes became more sophisticated. One of my first recipes was published by Eckart Witzigmann in the Apero magazine. The doors to the professional kitchens suddenly opened for me.

For me, cooking means joie de vivre, creativity and inspiration. It happened that I left chemistry and turned my passion into a job. My first pearl was made for fun; for friends in France.