25 YEARS.. TRUE LOVE

Suzanne & Jeroen

“I, Suzanne, had a part time job in service at Intermezzo. After Wijnrestaurant Mes Amis opened in 2001, I continued working at Tongersestraat 5 every Saturday evening. I was only eighteen at the time. Around that same period, my love story with Jeroen began. We already knew each other from secondary school, but it was at Preuvenemint that the sparks really started to fly. I was studying to become a primary school teacher, while Jeroen was studying medicine. Alongside his studies, he worked as a cook at The John Mullins Irish Pub. When a position became available in the kitchen at Mes Amis, Jeroen joined the team.”

Fiery Glances Across the Kitchen Pass
“Working together took some getting used to at first. Especially on busy evenings, when tensions between the kitchen and the service team could occasionally run high. Sometimes, a single glance across the kitchen pass was enough to know: ‘We'll be talking about this when we get home!’ Looking back, we can only laugh about it now. We both simply wanted to do our jobs as well as possible.

Besides all the hard work, there was also plenty of fun at Mes Amis. After service, we would often stay behind with our colleagues for a few drinks. Most of them were fellow students, friends or friends of friends, which made it even more enjoyable. We also represented Mes Amis at Preuvenemint several times, and we both have wonderful memories of those occasions.”

More Than Just a Part Time Job
Jeroen: “During those years, I discovered that my heart belonged not in medicine, but in the kitchen. Annaline played an important role in that discovery. She introduced me to Café Sjiek, where I had the opportunity to develop my skills as a chef. It was a decision for which we are both still incredibly grateful to her!

Around the age of thirty, we exchanged our student accommodation for a proper home. Not long afterwards, our daughter Millie was born, followed by Teddy. Today, I still work with great passion as a chef, while Suzanne has found her place in the cultural sector and education.

When we look back on our time at Mes Amis, it was so much more than just a part time job. It was the place where we grew into adulthood, made friends, built our future and laid the foundations for the family we have today.”