A conversation with
Caleigh Megless-Schmidt
We hopped on a train to meet Caleigh, the radiant founder of Keïli, a healthy caterer and coffee shop in Paris's 11th arrondissement. Spontaneous and cheerful, she welcomes us into her country home, straight out of a movie.
Hello Caleigh, who are you?
My name is Caleigh, I'm American. I grew up in Virginia, near the mountains, and today I live in Paris where I'm a wellness chef. I'm also the mother of two little girls.
Let's talk about your food upbringing... Did you start cooking late in life or did you grow up with a love of cooking and healthy food?
I grew up with parents who cooked and I have three brothers. At home, we all helped out. We lived on a farm where we had a vegetable garden, so I can still see myself picking carrots in the garden... It's true that I was lucky enough to grow up in contact with nature. Then I went to culinary school, because I was interested in products, but especially in the impact that food can have on the body. So I went to this school in New York, which is more focused on vegetarian cuisine, a cuisine that I like to call "personal" because we really cook according to each person, their diet and their needs. It's this philosophy that I try to apply every day today, with my coffee shop and my catering service.
Coming back to your family, what was your relationship with cooking like?
I remember large tables with lots of people around. We cooked a lot, especially my father who loved it. My mother was more of a watch-it-all type, a glass of good wine in hand. We would get our vegetables from the vegetable garden, our meat from the farm next door, it was always quite simple but down-to-earth.
How did you gain experience in the kitchen?
After school, I did a lot of small internships in New York. I wanted to see if I wanted to stay in the Big City and learn the hard way in the restaurant business there. It was an exciting apprenticeship, I worked in vegetarian and raw restaurants, but also in a more classic French restaurant, because I wanted to go to France. Then when I arrived in Paris, I started working for a company called Marlette, and I helped my friend Scarlett make cake mixes. I helped her create her gluten-free range.
« It's true that I was lucky enough to grow up in contact with nature. »
After that, what was the trigger for setting up your business and launching your restaurant?
I've always been passionate about cooking, but I hadn't necessarily thought about making it a career. In Paris, I started cooking and then I created a logo for my company KEÏLI . Little by little, with word of mouth, I started getting orders and then it took off... Like a very small company, I started in my apartment, I had an oven the size of a toaster , so it was a bit ridiculous but it was an adventure. Then with my partner François – there are two of us – we rented a kitchen in which we cooked for a year, then we went to Causses. They had a restaurant, and let us cook in the afternoon at their place so that we could make our little cakes... Honestly, I feel like I've cooked almost everywhere in Paris! And we were lucky because our loved ones helped us a lot.
Your cuisine is very creative and colorful. Where do you draw inspiration to create the dishes on the menu?
For me, it has to be good, beautiful, and healthy. I love playing with textures, colors, raw and cooked food, and I'm constantly inspired by nature. I always try to bring nature back to the plate, so that it's beautiful and people want to eat it. I work with a lot of green, sometimes edible flowers, shoots or microgreens... It's magical, it makes a plate so beautiful!
« I really like playing with textures, colors, raw and cooked food, and I am constantly inspired by nature. »
Do you develop your recipes here, in the Perch?
Yes. In this house we are peaceful, I have a great setting and an incredible view, it's very inspiring. I also draw my recipe ideas from my travels, the things I've seen, the people I've eaten at... And I say to myself "Ah that's great, I really have to try that at KEÏLI's, to see what I can do with it". It's really life that inspires me, it's simple to say but it's true, it's full of little moments...
You're very environmentally conscious and strive to ensure your restaurant is eco-friendly and responsible. How do you apply these principles at home with your family?
It's true that in restaurants there's a lot of waste in the kitchen, so you have to be careful. Here in the Perche region, I try to do my shopping at the market or directly from the farmer. I go to his farm and see what he has to offer that day. This approach allows me to cut out what we call the middle man (intermediary services, editor's note). And then for this house, we also hunt for our objects quite a bit, we refrain from buying new, that way we avoid overconsumption.
« There is a special soul in this place, good vibes, you can rest, create and breathe. »
It's a house you spend a lot of time in, how do you feel there?
My daughter calls this house Home. Between our apartment in Paris and this house in the Perche region, this is where she feels at home. It's true that there's a special soul to this place, good vibes; you can rest, create, and breathe. And that changes everything...
Have you done any work? How did you choose the materials, objects, and decoration?
We were very lucky because this house already had a little "magical" side when we bought it. But it's true that we love to hunt for bargains and since the Perche is very well known for its flea markets, we did quite a few. That said, the house was already in its original state and we immediately fell in love with the place. We feel so good here.
Can you describe a typical family weekend in this little haven of peace?
Yes! We often start with an American-style breakfast of pancakes, then we go for a walk in the forest. It's great, especially since my little Nova, two and a half years old, is starting to walk well now. We also have friends over whenever we can, for long lunches that can sometimes last six or seven hours. Sharing, resting, talking...
By Charlot plants allow city dwellers to maintain a connection with nature, while blending seamlessly into their homes. In the countryside, too, it's great to be able to bring some greenery indoors. Which By Charlot plant best suits you?
I would say La Bohème. I don't know if you see it, up there on my mantelpiece, but I love it for its crazy , slightly wild side. I love these branches going in all directions, it reminds me of my daily life with two children at home!
« I would say La Bohème. [..] I like it for its crazy, slightly wild side. »
You also seem very sensitive to beautiful things in general, through your cooking, the decor of your home... How do you want to pass on this love of beauty to your children? Do you want to educate them in this?
That's a good question... Actually, I want, especially at the moment, to be surrounded by objects that touch me, that I take the time to choose with my husband, based on feeling. And I try to make my daughters feel good in this place. Moreover, they are growing up in a very earthy environment, surrounded by nature. I would be happy if they developed a taste for it and that all these beautiful things that surround them could influence their own lives.
You're starting to cook with your eldest, are you trying to instill in her this love of good food?
Yes, Nova loves cooking, we sometimes take the time to make little dishes together. She likes anything manual, so she takes care of peeling the vegetables, cutting them... I hope that will help her like vegetables more... Because now, at two and a half years old, anything a bit colorful scares her!
