Importer opens a window to French cuisine and culture

3-MIN READ3-MIN

Published: 12:00am, 22 Mar 2012

Teacher, actor, filmmaker, and now food and wine importer, Olivier Malet grew up in Paris and first came to Hong Kong in 1991, while undertaking his French national service. He had been seconded to the Alliance Francaise and, while here, he met his wife, Patty Lo Lai-fong. The couple then moved to Canada but, 10 years ago, decided to return to Hong Kong so Lo could develop her timber importing business. Olivier continued to teach French to both adults and children, and last year decided to establish La Petite France, a private French cultural centre in Sai Kung (www.lapetitefrance.com.hk), where he could both teach the language and present other aspects of the French way of life, including regional gastronomy, to people interested in French culture.

Growing up in Paris, was it natural to develop a strong interest in food and wine?

You take the food for granted in Paris, particularly the brasserie-style cuisine - the steak frites and so on. I was always greedy. On my way back from school, I would always buy a pain au chocolat or a croissant or something - sometimes even on the way to school. I always liked cakes - I still make some. I'm very much a dessert person. I also like charcuteries. What I like is being able to sit down with people with cheese and wine and talk. For me, that started with cheese, and the wine came later on.

What gave you the idea for La Petite France?

I was teaching French using drama, and I realised that students, particularly adults, as well as being interested in the language are interested in everything that surrounds it. So, I thought why not establish something which isn't just a language school but a little bit of France? I wanted a place that would not be a classroom but would look like somebody's home, somewhere people would feel comfortable. I wanted it to be convivial for both French and Chinese people. My wife is Chinese, and I wanted French people to get to know more about Chinese people, and Chinese people to learn more about France.

Is it just your students who come to the centre?