Chef Liutauras Čeprackas talked about what it meant to him to wait for the first Michelin stars in Lithuania in the latest episode of the podcast "Estetikos stalas". He revealed that he awaited the day of the decision while taking sedatives. "However, this is the result of many years of hard work," says L. Čeprackas.
He reminded that he was the first in Lithuania to start organizing tasting dinners and admitted that he did it in a rented apartment at the very beginning, without any signs or advertisements.
He compares the creation of degustation dinners to a work of art that tells a story and creates emotions.
"And yet, it's not the surprise that's more important to me, but tasty, high-quality food. I know many restaurants, including those with Michelin stars, where you leave surprised, but not after a delicious meal," smiles the well-known chef.
In his opinion, the worst assessment you can hear from a customer is that he was interested.
In an interview, L. Čeprackas tells how he creates aesthetic experiences in a restaurant not only by serving impressive dishes on the table, but also by using other elements - plates, cutlery, seating furniture, artwork hanging on the walls, lighting, noise control in the space. According to the interviewer, fine dining restaurants could be called experience restaurants.
The podcast also talks about the emotional health of the people working in the kitchen and how L. Čeprackas makes sure that his employees feel good and are motivated to work.
"I don't like to be controlled myself and I don't like to be controlled. It is best to live in an environment where each of us feels personal responsibility. If people didn't want to work in the restaurant, we would just start falling apart," says the interviewer.
The webcast "Esthetics Table" is a series of conversations with creators of aesthetics in our country from various, often unexpected perspectives. This podcast is an educational initiative of Femina Bona's new line, Aesthetic Sommelier.
Its purpose is to develop the aesthetic taste of society, to explore new expressions of aesthetic culture and what creates the deepest sensations in life.