Today we’d like to introduce you to Alain Lemaire.
Chef Lemaire is an award-winning chef and contestant of Food Network’s hit series Cutthroat Kitchen out of South Florida. He is the Co-owner and Executive Chef of Sensory Delights, LLC and Arome Catering, both full-service catering companies based out of South Florida and Haiti respectively. He is a native of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, where he first discovered his interest in cooking. Later on, he developed an increasing passion for food and foodservice which led him to attend the Culinary program at the acclaimed Johnson & Wales University. Thanks to his heritage and having spent most of his career in South Florida, the Caribbean and Latin flavors play a major role in Chef Lemaire’s style of cooking: “fresh, bold and in your face!” as he would say it.
Chef Lemaire has participated in and featured as a guest chef in numerous food events and festivals throughout the United States and overseas. Most recent events include Grace Jamaican Jerk Fest, Journée de la Cuisine Haitienne and Taste of the Caribbean in Montreal Canada, Iron Fork Miami, South Beach Wine & Food Festival, Taste of Dallas, Taste of the Sea, A la Carte Food and Culture Festival New York, Haiti’s Food & Beverage Festival, Dania Beach Seafood Festival, Boca Raton Wine & Food Festival, Colors of the Caribbean and much more.
Chef Lemaire was the winner of the 2017 Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival Celebrity Chef Throwdown. He has been inducted into the 2017 class of the Haitian American Chamber of Commerce of Florida Top 20 Under 40 and also the 2017 class of Legacy MIA Top 40 Under 40. The members are selected for their commitment and contributions professionally, socially, academically and personally. As a community of vibrant, energetic, creative and out-of-the-box thinkers, the members are an expression of cultural pride throughout their community.
Chef Lemaire is also a huge supporter of education, giving back to the community and the less fortunate. He has partnered with Haiti Chefs for Education, World Central Kitchen and Easter Seals South Florida.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The road is never smooth, even after you’ve somewhat established yourself. Some of the major struggles I’ve had to endure is to be taken seriously, especially being a foreigner trying to adapt to a new system, a new way of understanding things etc… It is a very competitive industry, a white male-dominated industry at that. I had to work hard to keep up and even stay ahead of my peers in order to survive. I could and still cannot afford to be average or just “another one”. In addition to the adaptation, I also had to face discrimination and racism at times. But not once did I let that define who I am and what I wanted to be.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Lemaire Hospitality Group story. Tell us more about the business.
Lemaire Hospitality Group is a family of companies that are creating countless experiences for all of our customers. We strongly believe in always delivering high-quality products, great value, and unparalleled customer service. Our strength and success come from the combination of all the things we have in common – our shared values, vision, and purpose – and the experiences and perspectives that make us each unique.
Mission:
Be a leading brand in the hospitality industry by staying consistent, true to our core values, always being innovative and creating opportunities for our community.
Everyone at LHG is committed to consistently deliver superior service in the most responsible and efficient way, for the shared benefit of our customers, and associates. At LHG, our members and partners are highly trained, skilled and experienced professionals and businesses in key sectors of the hospitality industry.
To name a few:
– Event planning and production
– Personal and private chef services
– Food production and distribution
– Catering services
– Baking and pastry and more
What am I most proud of as a company? Being able to position myself as a model for other young, talented individuals especially with similar backgrounds. I never had a mentor or someone from my same background to look up, and being able to be that individuals for others is truly a blessing.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I don’t believe in luck. I believe in hard work, dedication and timing. Everything happens for a reason and in due time. Trust the process while working hard and be smart about it. Learn something new every day, stay up to date with the trends in your industry, be open to criticism and advice.
Pricing:
- Personal chef services start at $150 per day
- Cooking classes start at $60 per session per person
- Catering services start at $60 per person
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cheflemaire.com
- Phone: 954-376-0470
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/ChefLemaire
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChefLemaire
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/ChefLemaire
Image Credit:
I Sparks Fotography
Getting in touch: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
