La Provence Bids Adieu To Chef Bajeux -- Replacement Is...

La Provence Bids Adieu to Chef Ren� Bajeux,
and Welcomes Home Chef Randy Lewis

On July 10, 2008, proprietors John Besh and Octavio Mantilla of Besh Restaurant Group (August, Besh Steak, La Provence, and L�ke) announce the departure of Chef Ren� Bajeux from La Provence, located just outside New Orleans, Louisiana. Chef Bajeux joined the restaurant group late last summer, and immediately flavored the menu with his classically French culinary philosophy of terroir cooking. In light of his success at La Provence, Chef Bajeux felt the time was right to set out on his own again and explore the possibility of opening a restaurant in New Orleans.

Chef Besh and Chef Bajeux have been colleagues for many years, and both say their long friendship is certain to continue despite their professional parting of ways. The entire family at La Provence and Besh Restaurant Group wishes Ren� the best of luck with his new business venture.

This transition also marks the homecoming of Chef Randy Lewis, recognized by Food & Wine Magazine as one of America's Best New Chefs in 2001, who will soon be named the Executive Chef at La Provence.

Chef Lewis grew up on the North Shore, just down the road from La Provence, and acquired his first experience as a cook under the tutelage of renowned Chef Chris Kerageorgiou, La Provence's original owner. Chef Lewis later gained notoriety throughout New Orleans in the mid-1990s for his own restaurant, Indigo. He is regularly featured in various food and restaurant magazines, and has appeared in several episodes of "Ready...Set...Cook" on Food Network television.

After spending several years mastering his craft in California's Napa Valley and the Bay Area, Chef Lewis is now ready to bring his innovative culinary repertoire back to his home town restaurant, La Provence.

Besh Restaurant Group is pleased that Chef Lewis has the necessary expertise to maintain the company's culinary vision for La Provence, which focuses on sustainable Louisiana products complemented by time-honored, country French cuisine.

Contact: 

Simone Rathl�
703.534.8100
202.422.6432 cell
simone@simonesez.com

Jeff Schonfeld
jeff@simonesez.com

Mary Supley Foxworth
mary@simonesez.com