MARGAUX I MARGERITA
Well hello there again, It’s been a while. It's been 4 years actually that I wrote to you.
So hey, hi, hello I’m back!
Let me refresh your mind a bit.
Here’s what happened the past 4 years; work and play, actually lot’s of work happened.
I started to blog +/- 6 years ago when I was starting my first business ‘Atelier des Fêtes’
I copy pasted my intro from my blog back then as my past is still the same, but I've added the updates for you in between.
WHO AM I
I’m Margaux and here’s a little introduction of myself…
My mother was born in Sardegna during the 50’s in Laconi, an old village in the mountains. Difficult times back then as my mother had 2 sisters and 9 brothers without a father. (He past away at a young age) So they all had to take care of each other.
My grandfather was a shepherd and taught my mother and the rest of the family how to survive with the few things they had but the many things you can find in nature.
When my mother came to Belgium in the 70’s, she fell in love with my gorgeous blonde father and my older and very cute brother, who was 3 years old back then.
For the love of these 2 blondies she decided to stay in Belgium and a few years later in 1986, I was born.
I wasn’t exactly the little blonde green-eyed girl that my mother had hoped for; instead I was a loud screamer with very dark hair.
The real Italian roots in my blood I would say. These Italian roots became quite handy in the future.
I have the chance to visit my gigantic lovely Italian family every year in Sardegna and make beautiful holidays out of it. I speak fluently Italian (works good with the boys :p) and most of all I eat it very fluently! STILL GOING STRONG ON THAT. Eating has become more than just a way of life.
No really, I must say that my Italian roots have had and still have a big influence on me, especially when it comes to food.
Some Influences while growing up to give you an idea:
My lovely grandmother who’s 94 years old, came to Belgium every year for a couple of months and used to teach me lot’s of things when I was a little girl, e.g.: how to make fresh pasta, preparing typical Sardinian sweets and more…
UNFORTUNATELY THIS VERY IMPORTANT WOMEN IN MY LIFE, MY DEAREST NONNA PAST AWAY IN 2016.
My parents had a restaurant for almost 20 years with the cutest name:
‘t Konijntje (little rabbitl), or for us ‘t Konijnekot (rabbit cage)
I really loved to help and play restaurant. And actually I was the youngest waitress and little chef ever I think- Child labour? LOL…
My mother is still working as a Chef and today she’s the personal chef for the (Italian) Prime Minister of Belgium. Fancy pantsy isn’t she… : )
SOME MINISTERS HAVE COME AND GONE BUT LA MAMA IS STILL THERE STILL COOKING THE HELL OF AMAZING FOOD.
My brother owns 2 restaurants by the sea where they serve lovely seafood platters and Sardinian wines.
One of my many uncles and aunts have a pastry business in Sardinia which they are well known for their work. (even for sale in Belgium!)
My Zio Nino sometimes has to come over especially from Sardinia just to prepare a maialetto arrosto (roasted pork) just because he’s famous for it and people only want him to prepare it. With him and my aunts in Sardegna we have this special bond thanks to food, we talk about food a lot, all the time to be honest. and teach each other on it..., they teach me actually,
My father is the kind of person who also has a love for food, he mostly eats by the season, really traditional.
He also loves hunting and fishing and that’s why when I dine at my fathers I will mostly eat “forgotten food” and healthy seasonal food.
And Oh yeah, he is the God of sauce making! Daddy a.k.a. Saucier.
I could sum up so many more reasons why food is a big part of my life, but let’s just say that food has always been around me and I really really really really enjoy it.
Sometimes even a bit too much maybe.
MAJOR UPDATE: I GOT MARRIED 3 YEARS AGO! THIS WAS QUITE OF A LIFETIME EVENT, WILL SHARE ABOUT IT IN A LATER POST.
THE LUCKY ONE WHO MARRIED ME ;) IS THE ONE BY MY SIDE FOR 13 YEARS NOW, MAXIME. I DID GOOD, HE’S A FOODLOVER TOO AND REALLY GET’S ME WHEN I FALL IN LOVE WITH SOMETHING FOOD RELATED OR WHEN I JUST NEED TO BITCH ABOUT IT, HE WON'T SHUT ME UP, GREAT!
BESIDES THAT HE’S A BIT MORE INTO MUSIC THAN FOOD, HE’S A DJ (PRODUCER) THAT SAVED MY LIFE. AND HERE'S THE CHERRY ON THE CAKE; HE’S REALLY INTO CLEANING THE HOUSE AFTER ME!
SO NEXT TO BEING A COOK I’VE UPLIFTED MYSELF ALSO TO BEING OFFICIALLY ‘THE WIFE OF THE DJ’ BLENDING IN IN HIS GREATNESS :) THAT’S AN (INSIDE) JOKE, THAT ACTUALLY COMES TO LIFE A BIT TO OFTEN ON MY OPINION. BUT HEY, YOU KNOW WHAT THE QUOTE SAYS: BEHIND EVERY GREAT MAN THERE’S A GREATER WOMAN! THE ONE SLOPPY QUOTE I REALLY MANAGE TO AGREE WITH.
AND TO ADD UP TO THIS MORE OF AN ‘ADULT KINDA LIFE’ I’VE BECOME A DOG -MOMMY TO PANTOUFLE. AND I'M TAKING THIS DOG -MOMMY THING VERY SERIOUSLY, WATCH THIS...
WHAT DO I DO?
Well, recently I’ve found out that I’m the type of person who has to try to put her creative thoughts into action! Instead of having a 9 to 5 job in an office. Nothing wrong with that off course, just really not my thing! STILL FEELING THE SAME WAY, EVEN MORE THAN EVER BEFORE.
So hopefully one day I can make my job out of all these ideas that are spinning in my head and even try to become a successful independent and start my own business that I’ll call
“ Atelier des Fêtes” CHECK AND DOUBLE CHECK
Meanwhile I’m writing this blog, cooking for friends, being a freelance cook for different establishments, expanding my culinary knowledge and organizing dinner parties at my “home restaurant”.
And oh yeah I’m into Cake decorating.
So on my “foodies” blog you’ll be able to enjoy all kinds of food posts but also my likes, my influences, my (food) tips, my Cake decorating works and many many more…
OK AND HERE’S WHERE I SERIOUSLY HAVE TO UPDATE YOU ON WHAT HAPPENED SINCE THEN:
ATELIER DES FÊTES EVOLVED TO BEING MY FIRST BUSINESS AS AN INDEPENDENT ENTREPRENEUR. WORKING AS A PRIVATE CHEF FOR EVENTS AND GATHERINGS, CREATING BRIDAL AND BIRTHDAY COUTURE CAKES AND PERSONALIZED SWEETS, MAKING KILO’S AND KILO’S OF HOMEMADE GRANOLA, GIVING WORKSHOPS ABOUT SARDINIAN CUISINE, SELLING SARDINIAN CULINARY PRODUCTS AND HOSTING A PRIVATE GATHERING SPACE FOR SMALL EVENTS, CELEBRATIONS AND LIFESTYLE WORKSHOPS. AS I WROTE BEFORE THERE’S BEEN SOME WORK DONE. AND IT WAS SUPER NICE, I’VE MADE AMAZING MEMORIES AND FILLED A BAG FULL OF EXPERIENCES.
ALL THE ABOVE WENT VERY WELL FOR 5,5 YEARS UNTILL IT HIT ME... I WASN’T REALLY FOCUSED ON WHAT I REALLY WANTED TO DO. I WAS MOSTLY FOCUSSING ON WHAT OTHERS EXPECTED FROM ME TO DO. I’M STILL NOT FOCUSSED, BUT I MADE MY PEACE WITH IT, I’LL NEVER HAVE A 100 FOCUS ON JUST ONE THING THAT'S EXACTLY WHO I AM AND THAT’S OK.
BUT SOMETHING I REALLY FELT LIKE DOING AND PEOPLE WHERE ACTUALLY ASKING ME TO, WAS INTRODUCING SARDEGNA AS I KNOW IT, AS A LOCAL. AND MOST IMPORTANTLY BEING FREE, BEING ABLE TO WORK FROM OTHER PLACES AND SPACES THEN JUST MY KITCHEN.
I WAS LIVING A NOMAD LIFE AND HUSTLE-ING WITH MY GROCERIES AND PREP’S BETWEEN MY KITCHEN/ COOKING STUDIO AND PEOPLE’S HOME KITCHENS OR EVENTSPACES.
BUT WHAT I ACTUALLY ALWAYS WANTED WAS A ‘NOMAD EXTRAORDINAIRE LIFE’. STILL WANT IT AND (STILL) WORKING ON IT.
THAT’S WHAT BRINGS US TO SUMMER 2017:
AFTER SOME DELIBERATION, I MADE THE DECISION TO GO FOR THE BIG DREAM
= PUTTING SARDEGNA ON THE MAP AS I KNOW IT, FROM MY INSIDER POINT OF VIEW. AND THAT’S HOW I REPLACED ATELIER DES FÊTES FOR MY SECOND BUSINESS, MARGERITA – INFLUENCED BY SARDEGNA. MARGERITA, HOW MY NONNA USED TO CALL ME.
SEE MORE INFO HERE IF YOU WANT TO DIG INTO IT.
I COULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT IF YOU’RE A SUCCER FOR GOOD FOOD, HOSPITALITY, AUTHENTICITY ,THE ITALIAN LIFESTYLE AND GENUINE LOVE FOR THE ISLAND.
THEN FOLLOW THE HELL OUT OF MARGERITA- INFLUENCED BY SARDEGNA. YES I CAN DO PROMO ON THIS BLOG :)
IT WAS A BIG CHANGE AND I WAS FULLY READY TO GO FOR IT. EMOTIONALLY I WAS READY BUT REALISTICALLY, LOOKING BACK AT THE JOURNEY UNTILL TODAY, I SHOULD HAVE TAKING IT A BIT SLOWER AND BE A BIT MORE PREPARED ON WHAT WAS GOING TO COME. BUT MORE ON THIS TOPIC IN A LATER POST.
MEANWHILE MARGERITA – INFLUENCED BY SARDEGNA STILL STAGGERS A BIT BUT IT’S OUT THERE AND I’M EXTREMELY PROUD OF IT.
IN THE MEANTIME I’VE WORKED ON SEVERAL COOKING/FOODSTYLING PROJECTS TOO AND FIND MYSELF WORKING AS A FREELANCE FOODSTYLIST & RECIPE DEVELOPER TOGETHER WITH PHOTOGRAPHERS AND STUDIO’S. I LIKE TO CALL IT, WORKING AS A FOOD CREATIVE. AND I’M GAINING UP MY PHOTOGRAPHY SKILLS TO BRING SOME ‘NICE TO LOOK AT IMAGES’ ON THIS PLATFORM, AS I LIKE THINGS TO BE NICE LOOKING.
WINTER 2018/2019:
THAT WAS A COLD ONE, A COLD WAKE UP CALL ACTUALLY.
DURING ALL THESE YEARS OF WORKING, ACHIEVING, SETTING GOALS, FAILING, GAINING SUCCESS, ETC I’VE KINDA LOST MYSELF A LITTLE BIT. MY SASSY AND SOCIAL PERSONALITY HAD TO MAKE PLACE FOR OTHER..., I CAN’T ACTUALLY REALLY DESCRIBE JUST WHAT, JUST OTHER STUFF. WORK MOSTLY. BUT OK ENOUGH WITH THE SELF PITY.
I WAS ON A HOLIDAY IN CHINA AND THAT BIG ASS QUESTION CAME UP TO ME AGAIN; AM I HAPPY?
YES AND NO WAS THE ANSWER AND THE NO WAS BIG AND IT MADE ME REALIZE THE ABOVE.
SO I DECIDED TO THINK THINGS THROUGH THIS TIME AND START LIVING MORE TO THE YES PART.
TOOK A PICTURE OF THAT PARTICULAR MOMENT TO REMIND ME OF IT ONES AND A WHILE !
OFF COURSE THEIR WAS GREASY & COMFORTING EMO-FOOD INVOLVED >> EMO-EATER ALERT!
ONE NIGHT I WAS SCROLLING ON MY INSTA FEED AND IN ONE OF MY FIRST POSTS I WAS REFERRING TO ‘MY BLOG’
SHOCK!!! I FORGOT ALL ABOUT HAVING MY OWN BLOG. AFTER READING IT AGAIN, IT MADE ME HAPPY, THE THOUGHT THAT I WAS A ‘BLOGUEUSE AVANT LA LETTRE’ MADE ME LAUGH, IT MADE ME SMILE TOO. SO I DECIDED IT WAS TIME TO BLOW THE DUST OF IT AND RESTART BLOGGING.
THIS BRINGS US TO TODAY:
THE REBIRTH OF THE BLOG. IN A NEW COAT BUT IT’S STILL ME AND WITH MORE BAGGAGE TO SHARE.
SO FOR THOSE TRYING TO GET ME, WHAT I DO AND WHO I AM HERE IT IS IN A NUTSHELL;
I DO FOOD > MARGAUX I AM A SARDEGNA LOVER > MARGERITA
>> MARGAUX I MARGERITA GET IT?
MARGAUX MARGERITA WILL BE A KIND OF A PERSONAL PUBLIC DAIRY .
HONESTY IS THE KEYWORD IN MY BEING AND I’LL BRING IT REAL AND RAW, NO SUGARCOATING INVOLVED.
NEXT TO THAT YOU CAN FOLLOW MY (PROFESSIONAL) WORK AND I’LL BE SHARING ALL MY LIKES ON TRAVEL, FOOD, PLACES TO DISCOVER, THINGS I’VE TASTED, LIKED AND SOMETIMES DISLIKED TOO, NO BAD INTENTIONS.
OH AND HERE’S A LITTLE SIDE NOTE;
I’M NOT A COPYWRITER KINDA GIRL, I TRULY WRITE SO MANY MISTAKES AND I WILL MISSPEL WORDS AND I ALSO CAN'T HANDLE A GOOD SENTENCE STRUCTURE AND I DON’T CARE I KNOW YOU'LL UNDERSTAND WHAT I'M SHARING. SO DON'T BOTHER SENDING YOUR CORRECTIONS, LIGHTEN UP :) IT’S SUPPOSED TO BE FUN. (HONESTNESS KICKING IN)
AS ANOTHER THING OF THE YES TO MORE HAPPINESS IN LIFE: DON’T TAKE LIFE TO SERIOUSLY IT MAKES YOU LOOK OLD. AHHH ANOTHER SLOPPY QUOTE ;)
SO NEXT TO ALL THE WRIGHTING OR WAS IT RIGHTING? :) MISTAKES . I TRULY HOPE YOU'LL ENJOY IT, I KNOW I WILL WHILE SHARING WITH YOU...
BACIO
MARGAUX I MARGERITA