Born and raised in Paris, I received my BA in International Business in 1981. Afterwards, I worked for a life insurance company for ten years as a district sales manager. In 1987 I tied the knot with a beautiful woman from Seattle whom I had met while she was vacationing in France. Newly married, I then joined Avon Products as a regional sales manager, first in France, then in Vancouver, Canada.

My wife and I were blessed with two adorable daughters and in the summer of 1992, we left Canada and settled in Seattle. After having worked as a localizer for Microsoft in the Office division, I embarked on one of the most gratifying and rewarding jobs that no university or training course can prepare a person to undertake: I took on the role of "Mister Mom."

In 1995, I decided to achieve three personal dreams: to become an American citizen, start my own business, and do something I really love. I knew that food was a passion for me, but knew I did not want to go into the restaurant business. Instead, I attended the prestigious cooking school, the Cordon Bleu of Paris, and started Bertrand Chez Vous. My goal was to share what the French are good at when it comes to food. For the French, food is always an excuse to stop the clock, gather some friends and enjoy the present moment. I started to teach cooking classes that focused on traditional French classical cuisine. I came up with a concept I called "Cooking Together Parties" where the guests are involved in both the preparation and cooking of the menu. I described it as a social culinary experience. Finally, I wanted to take my approach a step further by organizing culinary trips to France where it is all about enjoying the unique French lifestyle.

I currently belong to a number of professional culinary associations that include The International Association of Culinary Professionals and the James Beard Foundation. I am actively involved with the largest international gastronomical society; La Confrérie de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs. For the last five years I have been the Bailli (President) of the Chaine's Seattle Chapter.