GEORGES & HÉLÉNA
 

On the 19th June 1926, Georges Cuvelier, originally from the Borinage region whom wanted to avoid working in the mines, founded Chez Georges, a small neighbourhood restaurant at 137 boulevard Lemonnier. The restaurant was a success through the production of some great and delicious food. One of their regulars never ceases to remind the Chef upon her visits: « Georges, chez vous, on mange comme chez soi ». An expression that quickly became the house’s trademark.

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At that time, the restaurant’s brigade was modest: it consisted of a « small » cook and a waitress. Georges Cuvelier’s wife, Héléna, made the sauces, his mother and mother-in-law cleaned, peeled, washed and did the heavy lifting. Georges on-the-other hand was everywhere, he did the food shopping and helped in the kitchen or dining room, as and where it was needed. Simone, their daughter, she was going to school, did her homework, followed by helping her grandmothers, cleaning the mussels in the cellar, which could go on sometimes until midnight. A year after opening, Georges took over the kitchen and created the famous sole au Riesling while his daughter Simone, who was thirteen and a half, « took over » the dining room. Together with Héléna and the two grandmothers, the entire Cuvelier clan set out to conquer the Brussels gourmet scene.

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Ten years after the opening, in 1936, Simone, who often accompanied her father on shopping trips, fell in love with a butcher's assistant from the Bogaerts butcher's shop near the Bourse. She became engaged to Louis Wynants and the restaurant moved to its present location on Place Rouppe.

 

Louis' moral and professional qualities quickly made him an indispensable link to Comme chez Soi. A cook by nature and a wine enthusiast, the impetus he gave to the new restaurant was impressive. More and more prestigious customers came to discover Louis Wynants' tasty specialties with delight. It was under his influence that Comme chez Soi took the road to haute gastronomy. Amongst other specialties, we owe him the creation of the sole cardinal, lobster in his own way, pig's trotters or delicious crepinettes with truffles.

 

In March 1939, Simone gave birth to a little boy named Pierre, who was destined to make the career he is now known for.