Lucas’s story: a young chef who’s hungry to learn

I’m at the start of my journey as a professional chef but I’m already learning so much at Sodexo. As a young chef, you look for role models and I’ve found a place where I’m surrounded by amazing culinary experts who inspire me every day. I’m learning new techniques and getting lots of encouragement and great advice working alongside them.

Joining Sodexo has given me the stability I was looking for. After completing my three-year hospitality course I started working life with a couple of internships – things I knew would challenge me. The first was a two-week study of oenology, the science of wine and winemaking, and then I spent a month on Réunion Island in the Indian Ocean. This was a chance to practice classic French cooking and gain experience in local and exotic cuisine. It really opened my eyes to the culinary world. It also taught me a lot about myself and the direction I wanted to take my career.

When I arrived back in Belgium I spent time in two restaurant kitchens, then took a role in a retirement home for four months. Something wasn’t right and the jobs and hours didn’t suit me. I wanted to work in corporate catering and heard about Sodexo through acquaintances. I thought ‘that’s the ideal company for me’.

It pays to be ambitious too, and I’ve got lots of ideas of where I want my career – and my food – to go in the future. I read a book – a manga about cooking called Food Wars that really inspired me. It follows a chef who competes with others at a culinary school, striving to be among the best. I want to provoke the same reaction in my customers when they taste my food.

I enjoy experimenting with savory and sweet dishes and don’t have a preference – meat, fish, vegetarian, desserts – it all inspires me. The beauty of cooking is that you can discover other cultures through food. I’m excited about that too – new tastes and techniques that connect you to other countries.