Meet Albert and Patrice Lavalais | Chef Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Albert and Patrice Lavalais and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Albert and Patrice, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
It was more of the work life balance. We are parents of five beautiful daughters. We lost our oldest due to a tragedy within our family.
I was fresh out of culinary school and trying to find the best way I know how to take care of a young family. After her passing we still had a new born that we were responsible for. All while experiencing homelessness at this time. It gave me the motivation I needed to
work crazy long hour to make ends meet and constantly climbed my way up to the top. During this time we had three more girls. We were able to accomplish alot during this time but, I never had much time for because I was always working.
So we decided to start a business in our deceased daughters name.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I was a former Senior 2 Kitchen Manager For The Cheesecake Factory and Executive Chef Partner
for The Capital Grille in Plano TX.

I started as a line cook with The Cheesecake Factory. I always pick up the shifts the no one else wanted to work. I always did what was necessary to push the company forward.
I trained and certificated myself on stations within 6 months of being with the company and got promoted to kitchen manager within 8 months. During that time I was the youngest Kitchen Manager in the company
I worked long hours. Sometimes didn’t make it home until 6am
I held my team accountable for the golden standard for Food
Quality and Execution. Constantly leading them through any shift with and iron fit, and always made it a fun work environment. No matter what was needed I was there.
I did whatever was needed to to do the grow the company by working in 5 or their locations, in 6 years.
But when it was time for me to be rewarded with my own restaurant, I was asked to open more restaurants.

I then was offered a position at The Capital Grille as a Sous Chef. This position offered more quality of life and a bright career path with plenty room for growth.
During my time there I met great people and learned alot. I work there for 8 years and was promoted to an Executive Chef Partner but end goal was to retire as and Managing Partner.
Although the demand and volume was not intense as The Cheesecake Factory.
The demand was still there for me to work 12 to 14 hour shifts on average. Also missed all holidays with my family.
So my wife and I decided to make a leap of faith and Start something to be able to pass our girls for a brighter future.
We started a company that provides Private Chef Services, Catering for any event and purchased a food trailer.
We put our life savings into this business and bet on ourselves, and made more time with each other for our family.
It’s definitely has been an expensive learning experience but would not change this time I have with my family for the world.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’d definitely take them to Eddie Vs in Plano TX I definitely enjoy their atmosphere and the Management and Staff and so professional and pay attention to detail. Leslie Berkley is an amazing Managing Partner and runs a fine establishment and provides absolute great guest satisfaction.
If I wanted sushi I’d definitely recommend Sushi Marquee at The Star in Frisco Dallas Hale and Brad Dawkins have a gem in there hands that deliver consistent great tasting food and excellent customer service.
But for Fun I’d definitely bring the to Grandscape there are so many places and things to do there it is never a dull moment it something for the whole family

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I like to pay Special thanks to my Gorgeous Wife Patrice for constantly sticking in my corner throughout all the bad times.
And our Christmas Angel Dior Marie Lavalais.
With out you this vision would never exist

Website: https://www.chefdnoircc.com/

Instagram: Chefdnoir_cc

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