From Belgium, born in my dad’s restaurant…
I came into the world in Belgium, practically between a kitchen door and a dining room.
My father ran a restaurant, and while most kids
grew up with toys, I grew up with wooden spoons, sizzling pans, and the
irresistible smell of butter melting on a hot stove.
Food wasn’t just part of life; it was life!
That early start shaped everything that came after.
…to spending forty delicious years in the Alps,
Later, the mountains called, and I listened.
I spent 40 years living in the French Alps, a place where cheese is practically a religion and melting it is an art form.
Fondue nights, raclette dinners, charcuterie boards overflowing with local flavours… these weren’t special occasions; they were everyday occasions.
Those decades surrounded by Alpine culture taught me what food is truly about:
Warmth, laughter, sharing, and a little bit of cheese-induced happiness.
…to luxurious River Ships across Europe,
I captained luxury floating boutique hotels, gliding through France, Belgium and the Netherlands; managed crews, welcomed guests from around the world, and learned to keep calm whether facing a lock malfunction, a surprise flood, or a guest who packed 17 suitcases for a one-week trip.
Hospitality became second nature, and creating memorable experiences was the daily mission.
A skillset that now sails with me into Alpine Delights.
And finally, landing in the Okanagan...
Eventually, life (and wife) brought me to Vernon, BC, where I fell in love with the Okanagan… but noticed a tragic shortage of melted cheese.
So it became my mission to fix that!
Alpine Delights is my way of bringing cozy chalet vibes, authentic comfort food, and the joyful spirit of Alpine gatherings to families, friends, and businesses here in the valley.