An Open Letter to Ludo Lefebvre
Wednesday, May 18, 2005 13:27Bonjour Mr. Lefebvre,
Comment allez-vous?
I have heard wonderful things about the food you prepared during your stint at L’Orangerie. Now that you are executive chef at Bastide the spot seems to be warranting numerous press mentions. The early buzz is also very good on your new cookbook Crave: See Touch Smell Hear Taste. I just thought I’d drop you a line before you kick off your book tour in the Southland.
You see, I’m hoping you will take my advice and talk some sense into publishing diva Judith Regan of Regan Books who advised you to focus on your physical appearance rather than your expertise behind the stove.
If I were you, I would immediately fire my image consultant, brand manager, stylist and personal photographer. I mean I hate to say it, but your publicity photos make you look like an escapee from Australia’s Thunder From Down Under, Las Vegas’s all-male review.
Not that there’s anything wrong with your circa 1980’s Chippendales look — with a swarthiness like Lorenzo Lamas, hair like Fabio and a body like David Hasselhoff. It’s just that these photos of you, shirtless, holding a dead fish in each hand as ocean waves lick at the hem of your jeans, do absolutely nothing for your reputation as a credible chef. I mean, sure, the competition out there is tough — there’s Rocco Dispirito, Bobby Flay and Jamie Oliver to contend with in the cookbook section, I get it.
But you, Ludo, you are Los Angeles’ hometown chef. Rather than play into silly stereotypes about LaLa land, why not represent the fine eats in our city with the respect you and your fellow chefs deserve?
If you take my recommendations to heart I MAY consider checking out you and your new cookbook on Monday at Vromman’s Pasadena at 7 p.m.
Merci de votre temps,
SoCalorie
sarah says:
May 18th, 2005 at 1:42 pm
thank you thank you thank you, socalorie, for saying exactly what i was thinking, but in such a MUCH better way.
but i will admit, he’ still hot.
LOL!
SoCalorie says:
May 18th, 2005 at 1:49 pm
I’d just as soon buy a year’s subscription to Cosmopolitan magazine than buy his book. Exhibit A.
Phill says:
May 18th, 2005 at 3:32 pm
That guy is all about silliness. Every time I read about him, it’s always something ridiculous. I have never eaten his food, and from what i’ve heard I wouldn’t want to. Please don’t let this pompous jerk represent L.A. Hometown chef? He’ll be gone soon (I hope) back to his own hometown (unless he can convince somebody in another town to hire him.)
I’m sorry that my first comment here is so troll-y, Ireally do like this site. I promise to be more positive in the future :).
SoCalorie says:
May 18th, 2005 at 4:06 pm
No, no, you’re right. He is not a good candidate for any L.A. hometown chef award. He seems better cut out for the Wynn Casino in Vegas. Or, better yet, serving up shrimp cocktails at Crazy Girls.
sorry says:
May 20th, 2005 at 3:45 pm
Your site is waaay too wide…making 2 scrollbars.
SFR says:
May 27th, 2005 at 8:44 pm
You are all ridiculous. Can you say jealous of a man who can cook and looks amazing? And maybe you haven’t tried his food bc you can’t afford it. Hey SoCal - did you even go to Pasadena? I did - and he was great.
SoCalorie says:
May 27th, 2005 at 9:39 pm
Hi SFR,
Do tell! How was it? What did you like about his presentation so much? Is he better in person than he is in the extremely cheesy photos?
Jonah says:
January 11th, 2006 at 1:40 pm
Bastide to close? Although Ludo looks to be staying on for the next restaurant they are developing.
A. Dimitriades says:
August 15th, 2006 at 9:33 pm
Hmm, anyone ever think of the sex factor here? Meaning that he’s a good-looking, cooks French food….fill in the blanks. It’s classic marketing: a cookbook pitched also as a lifestyle rather than pure gastronomie.
Besides, I did’t read anyone saying the quality of the food and his techniques were bad. Just about his photos.
GMW says:
August 28th, 2006 at 12:15 pm
You guys are so LA to be commenting on his looks rather than actually going to eat his food. I went several times to Bastide and found it to be one of the best meals that I have had in Los Angeles. Forget about the image and judge the substance!!!
GMW
booger says:
June 16th, 2008 at 1:41 am
Ludo now works at Tao Las Vegas.
Patty says:
June 25th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
Booger - Ludo does not work at Tao Las Vegas. He has teamed up with the guys who own Tao and will be opening a new restaurant at the Palazzo Hotel.
johann says:
July 6th, 2009 at 1:42 am
I am french.. and i am embarresed that this egotistical pompous so called chef is from the same land as i