Belgian gastronomy is mourning Eric Martin, chef and owner of Maison Lemonnier who was unexpectedly found dead in his room last Saturday during a holiday abroad.
His son, Tristan and the team at Maison Lemmonier said that just like Eric would have wanted, they will remain open and will continue to receive guests as they have done for the past 15 years from Thursday 19th April.
The father and son duo had been working together since 2008.
Their hotel and restaurant, Maison Lemonnier is found in the idyllic Lavaux-Ste-Anne in the Belgian Ardennes.
Eric studied law but had already made his decision that he would cook instead. His son followed in his footsteps and after studying at Paul Bocuse Institute joined him in Maison Lemonnier in spring 2008.
Eric’s philosophy was always that of taking all the necessary time to prepare food and to eat food. Their restaurant had one of the most impressive wine lists in Belgium.
Pierre Resimont, chef of L’Eau Vive and a friend of Eric said that he could count on him to help Tristan. “I miss you already. Your Brother.”
Other Belgian chefs like Lionet Rigolet of Comme Chez Soi, Alexandre Dionisio of La Villa in the Sky were shocked by the sudden news and paid tribute to the Belgian chef.
Generation W, the collective of chefs from Wallonia, the Southern part of Belgium said that Eric was one of the first to support the cause. “He was passionate about gastronomy and his terroir, a human being who was proud to showcase his cuisine together with his son Tristan. We will miss him but we will never forget him.”
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