Cooking with Chef Cooking with Chef Jacques Fox, Jacques Fox, owner of owner of Artisans Restaurant in Artisans Restaurant in Houston Houston

Can you tell us more about your beginnings in the world of cooking?

My Grand Mother, Grand Father, and Mother had a huge influence. My Grand Mother was Chef in Poland. My Grand Father show me the Art of Gardening for over 11 years. My Mother lives in Africa for 10 years and learn dishes from everywhere in Europe, Africa, the Mediterranean Sea cost and more. While some Chefs stay in the same restaurant their whole career, you have always wanted to see the country.

My Mother, Father Travel the world, Europe and Asia, I guess I am doing the same thing. I love traveling and I have been to many different places and worked in different places to learn about many different food cultures and it is not over yet!

This desire to move around probably comes from those first years spent in Africa with your parents.

You have traveled throughout your career. What did this bring you?

I gained so much knowledge and experience by traveling. During my travels, I worked at a 2-star Michelin French restaurant, Patrick Guilbaud, in Dublin, Ireland. Furthermore, traveling helped me pursue other cuisines that influenced the flavors in my creations. The experiences I had led me to fulfill my life-long dream of opening my own restaurant

Your father was in the Foreign Legion. Is that right?

YES almost 19 years, he served his country very well and earn many medals, he was a Legion’s Pionniers, the most respected Legionnaires, and died in 1963 serving his country.

How have your different international experiences shaped your personality?

You are more open-minded when you travel more cosmopolitan, understand people better and you have the knowledge and many different experiences that sometimes people don’t understand.

Did it influence your conception of cooking?

Yes, it did, the first time I work in the US in 1985, I thought I was a French Chef and knew everything, and I quickly realized I was completely wrong in my approach to Culinary. It took me a few years to adjust, but I did and I am so happy I did.

Are there any personalities in the kitchen that have been a source of inspiration for you?

Yes, my apprentice Chef Jacques Bussiere, was very very strict but was an inspiration, I remember my first day in school like it was yesterday, September 1973. The legendary Escoffier is another, He was a Chef but also a food and beverage manager and an educator, an inspiration and a mentor for all the chefs of his time but also all the generations of Chefs who followed and will follow forever. I also have a great Friend in Italy who is also an incredible Chef, he made me discover Pasta and incredible sauces!! I met him in Paris in 1977 and became friends forever.

Can you tell us more about your cuisine at the Artisans Restaurant?

Cuisine Eclectic, French Technique with mostly top American ingredients, Inspire by Maison Prunier a Paris where I worked in 1975 and 1976, a very classic restaurant, what a learning experience on French Cooking with Classic Escoffier touches.

And as a restaurant client, were there any particular meals that stood out to you?

Japanese cooking and Sushi bar, Again, I was in New Caledonia in 1983 and one of my Chef was a Japanese cook, I hated his cooking (French Chef Mentality) but I quickly realized how many guests love his dishes and suddenly develop a taste for Japanese cooking, The Japanese chef’s name is Taka and I still talk to him periodically. He follow me a year after I met him on Maldives Island in 1984.

Conversely, what restaurants have you never been to but would like to try?

I have a bucket list of restaurants that I need to fulfill, but most places around the world that I have never been to yet! All over South America for example where I have never been YET.

Can you tell us more about the relocation of the Artisans Restaurant in June 2023?

We have been looking for a perfect place to relocate Artisans Restaurant. My dream was to have a large lot with an independent building all gated, we found the place and we are very delighted to develop our new home just half a mile from the Galleria, one mile from 610 loops and 69 Freeway. We have a great Architect and an awesome builder, our present clientele and new clientele will not be disappointed. 5745 Westheimer Houston Texas 77057, will be the new Home of Artisans Restaurant.