Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Larry can't cook...

Today, I mourn...

LJC, died February 4th, 2008 - short battle with Cancer

Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.
Psalm 107:6


Larry J. Cruz is first and foremost a Journalist. Before owning more than a dozen restaurants, he first introduced how the magazines of today looked like - glossy. And once you enter his restaurants, you would be greeted by the knowledge that this man is an art lover, but not "just", he has class, and he has taste.

I had the opportunity to know this beloved man and work with him in 2002 before my departure to Finland. I managed one of his budding restaurants in Malate called "Mil Novecientos" (named after the exact post address of the building - 1900) - catering Spanish food.

Truth be told, as per the title of this blog, during my working stint with the LJC restaurant group, I never saw him cook or even go into the kitchen and meddle with whatever Chef Ninoy was cooking, as would most restaurant owners. But don't get me wrong, LJC - as he is fondly called, knows his food. He is after all, a bonafide Kapampangan just like me.

I read somewhere that he would like this caption to be the title of his biography. I would definitely get a hold of that. It is an honor to have been a part of LJC restaurant group. (Cafe Adriatico, Bistro Remedios, Cafe Havana and Abe, to name a few)

To Sir Larry, you will be missed...