From Lithuanians, A French Chef learns about Humbleness
Marc d’Erceville is a charming Frenchman who previously worked as a chef in Michelin-starred restaurants in Paris, Brittany and Switzerland, as well as in the 5-star restaurant “Stikliai” in Vilnius. For the past two years, he also been curating culinary workshops, hosting various events, and teaching cooking courses.
Currently, Marc works as the head chef for weddings and special events, deals with a variety of culinary projects at “Ciop Ciop Culinary Loft” in Vilnius, and is working on opening his own restaurant!
How did you come to Lithuania?
I first came to Vilnius to celebrate New Year’s Eve in 2008. I had a lot of fun, despite the -25 degree temperature.
3 years later, I decided to settle and work in Vilnius. I have been working and living in many different cities in Europe, but I am staying in Vilnius because I see that it is developing fast and offering opportunities, without forgetting its cultural roots.
One good and one not so good observation about Lithuania.
Good: LT is a young country with a strong identity, with protected wildlife. Great thing for a chef: diversity of products available in the wild: rivers, forests, etc
Bad: the administrations in the country are still very slow, and that can sometimes block entrepreneurship.
What are the main differences between Lithuanians and the other countries you’ve worked in?
People in Lithuania are way more welcoming towards foreigners. As a small country, it is easier – more flexible – to work in.
What have you learned from Lithuanians?
Humility.
What is your favorite place in Lithuania?
During the summertime: any lake with clear water that is in the forest, and not too crowded.
What is the funniest (or strangest) thing that happened to you in Lithuania?
I settled down in Lithuania during the month of February. It was one of the coldest winters in a long time. I had to go to my first day of work in Ciop Ciop, which is a 15 minute walk away from Vilnius’ old town. I often lose my gloves, so I decided that on that day I would not wear them, since it was such a short walk anyway.
After ten minutes, my fingers started to become numb and painful to move, even inside my jeans pockets. I had to call the former director of this school to pick me up from a small shop, which was only 2 minutes away from Ciop Ciop. It took my fingers 2 hours to go back to normal.
What does “kitchen” mean to you?
Work, a lot of work. It also means a few other things: life, fun, exchanges, culture. A bit of all the good things in life, actually.