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Irish brasserie owner Jacqueline Lynch runs her business from a former tram station in Hoeilaart

22:00 21/04/2015

You don’t often meet your interview subject for the first time on a plane, but this is the case with Irishwoman Jacqueline Lynch. Having met by chance on a flight from Dublin the week previously, and heard each other’s life stories on the journey back to Belgium, there’s almost no need for a second chat! I travel to Hoeilaart to see her in her brasserie, Nerocafé, a former tram station now based around the comic-strip hero it’s named after. 

Tell me about the connection with Nero
Nero was a comic book character created by Marc Sleen, a Flemish cartoonist who depicted Flemish politics from a humorous point of view. He had a daily cartoon in the newspapers for 55 years. Marc made this building Nero’s home in the comic stories.  It became a protected monument in 2000.

When did Nerocafé open?
In 2000, Haacht brewery and the town decided to restore the building. It used to be derelict – the cellar was flooded and there was no roof. They kept the original features, as you can see: the old scales that weighed the grapes once produced in the area, the old windows and the stained-glass door. My husband, Dimitri, and I took it over in 2001 and it has become a community feature for Hoeilaart and its people.

But your main business is event catering, isn’t it?
Yes. My husband is the chef at Nero and takes care of things there. I develop the events side of the business, which I started a few years after the cafe opened. The recession had hit Belgium and we wanted to make the business evolve. We now work a lot in Brussels with many foreign embassies, government bodies and Nato. The business flourished by reputation and through word of mouth.  

What’s involved in running a business like this?
The key thing is to be highly organised. I have a fantastic team of people I work with – I wouldn’t be able to move forward without them. We maintain the quality and service at all times. We don’t take on anything without 100% commitment. Often the clients don’t know where to start with an event, so I take the burden off them.

What was the biggest event you’ve organised?
The biggest and most challenging event was a reception at the British embassy to celebrate the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. We had 450 guests, including royalty, VIPs and ambassadors. We had a 4am start but it was a huge success.

What do you like about your job?
It’s very varied. I also get to meet lots of celebrities – I worked for Prince Laurent and Princess Claire, runners Kevin and Jonathan Borlée, and I also worked with the celebrity chef Albert Verdeyen. I meet some very inspiring people. They can’t but have an effect on your business. They’re very good leaders themselves, and you see that they lead by example, and in turn you realise that people can be energised by you.

What are the difficulties of the job?
The long hours, logistics, moving things – it’s very physical work. It’s very hard to shut down and unwind after an event, even if it’s late.

Before events you had a very different career
Yes, I was working in the arts. I had my own art gallery in Galway and later worked in galleries in Dublin. My parents were self-employed, so it didn’t seem daunting to me to open my own business back then, even though I was quite young.

When did you come to Belgium?
I came here in 1992 for a while, to visit my sister who was living here. Then I met my husband in a gym! I decided to stay, and worked in art galleries initially and then I joined Dimitri in the catering business. It was a big decision to come here. I loved Ireland and had never planned to leave.

How do you find the Belgians?
They have a very strong work ethic. I think they take life quite seriously; they’re sometimes hard on themselves. They’re reserved but caring and very loyal people. They have a more formal approach and I respect that. I think they’re careful with their money; they save a lot. In Ireland, we’re very social as a nation, less formal and probably more adventurous with our money, you could say!

And is art still a big part of your life?
I started painting nine years ago. It was a complete accident – my son wanted to go to art school and I brought him to enrol. The minute I went in there and got the smell of the paint, I wanted to start myself. I attend BKO Overijse and studied art history, drawing and now oil painting. I try to spend one day a week on art but it’s not always easy to achieve.

What do you miss about home?
I miss the people. Irish people have a special nature, a great sense of humour. I do love that about home. We have two boys, Cillian and Lorcan, and we visit quite often.

You’re fluent in Dutch, aren’t you?
Yes. I had to speak Dutch very quickly at the start. Then I took two years of lessons at the commune. English alone is fine but people respect you if you can speak the language. After 22 years here I have picked up some dialect, which leaves me with some funny expressions. Likewise my husband now has an Irish accent!

How has Belgium changed since you first arrived?
It has become a lot more international. That can be challenging for the local people – property prices rise for them and for their children too.

What’s your favourite thing about Hoeilaart?
I love that the forest is nearby. I go running and mountain biking there. It’s near the city but you can quickly get into the wilderness.

Do you have advice for new expats?
Get to know the community – Belgium is welcoming and the people are friendly. Of course, having a Belgian husband helps you to integrate!

This article was first published in The Bulletin Business Guide 2015

Written by Karen McHugh

Comments

CC_R

Great cafe very fMily friendly have always been treated well by the staff

Apr 25, 2015 12:57