Robert LeCrom's culinary career started as a student at the Tours Hotel School in the Loire Valley. Born and raised in Brittany, France, he began cooking in 1962, honing his culinary skills while working his way through France, England, Spain and Japan, before settling in Canada.
LeCrom has earned a solid place in the hearts of Vancouverites since landing at the Fairmont Hotel Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»in 1989. He's been at the epic-centre of all things food, whether it's mentoring young apprentices, delighting restaurant guests or orchestrating menus for prominent galas such as the Symphony Lovers' Ball and Canadian Cancer Society's Daffodil Ball.
Before hanging up his Fairmont Hotel apron Nov. 17 (exactly the same date he started 22 years ago), Le Crom managed three main kitchens, plus prep areas to serve an average, 1600 meals a day.
Cited by the mayor with a Culinary Arts Award in 2008, and most recently, inducted in to the British Columbia Restaurant Hall of Fame, LeCrom isn't completely retiring. He'll be in London for the 2012 Summer Olympics to ensure the Canadian team is well fuelled.
Must have kitchen item
Sharp French knife
What you will miss most about your job
The people that have become my family
What you will miss the least
People phoning in sick one hour before their shift
What has been the most memorable milestone or achievement in your career
Named one of the official chefs of the Canadian Olympic Team in Beijing for the 2008 Summer Olympics
The dish you're most proud of
Sweet bread en croute with black truffle for the Bacchanalia Gala; the story was nobody wanted to eat sweet bread, so I called it "riz de veau." It sounded better in French and everybody loved it!
Most memorable meal served
A dinner for 800 for her Majesty the Queen of England
What you care not to serve ever again
I like cooking everything
Best chef in the city (besides you)
Michel Jacob
What does success look like to you?
A happy guest
Three words to live by
Buy quality. Buy fresh. Cook simply.
Favorite charity
United Way
Favourite quote
Food is just like fashion_ the classics stand the test of time.
A talent you possess that many are not aware of
Underwater photographer
Last $20 bucks to your name, how would you spend it
On a good glass of wine
Lifestyle
Drink of choice
Red wine
Your favourite restaurant
Le Crocodile
Your biggest indulgence
Duck Foie Gras
All time favorite movie
Red October (I am from a navy family)
Favourite date place
The Oregon Coast in October
Favourite pastime
Sailing
Favourite local hotel
Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
Favourite sports team
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Canucks
Favourite retail store
Apple Store
Last place you travelled for fun
Provence
City
Your favourite neighborhood and why
I live in Yaletown; good restaurants.
Best thing about this city
Pedestrian friendly; easy to walk to anything
What would the perfect day in Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»look like for you
Cross country skiing on Cypress in the morning, a walk on the sea wall and shopping for dinner at Granville Island.
Community event, festival or gala that you look forward to every year
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»International Wine Festival's Bacchanalia Gala
The one place you take out of town visitors to show off our city
The Public Market at Granville Island
People
Who inspires you
My wife
Local person you admire most
Michel Jacob
Most memorable celebrity encounter
Omar Sharif
If you could be any celebrity, it would be_
Sean Connery
Persons of Interest is a new weekly column that spotlights success stories, local personalities and community heroes. If you know a Person of Interest, email Fred at [email protected].
