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Patrick Bauchau: Chef Harry & Friends

A Visit with Patrick Bauchau

From Chef Harry & Friends -- November 1999
by Harry Schwartz

(Chef Harry visited Patrick in November 1999 to tape an episode of his PBS show, Chef Harry & Friends, at Patrick's home. Here are Harry's thoughts on the day.)

Pretender star Patrick Bauchau and his lovely wife Mijanou live a very European lifestyle. They split their time between a wonderful Hollywood Hills home and a pier da terre in Louveciennes, a city just west of Paris.

Raised in Belgium and spending a good deal of his youth in Europe and with Mijanou hailing from France, their Louveciennes residence feels more like home. But even in Hollywood, they live in a very French way. Their home, built in the 1920's and formerly owned by Zsa Zsa Gabor, is grand in it's stature and magnificent in detail.

One enters through a charming gate that opens into a lush entry courtyard that creates a serene and luxurious feel. The heart of the stone-floored manse is most certainly the center courtyard around which the home is arranged.

There, Patrick and Mijanou have created an indoor/outdoor place to work together, practice yoga, have coffee and share his wonderful vegetarian creations with a glass of wine.

"While I occasionally stray, I feel better eating vegetarian and have leaned in that direction for many years. I love to garden and enjoy creating with the fruits of the earth. It is satisfying and rewarding; even more pleasant when enjoyed with fresh air," explained Patrick.

The two story master bedroom suite, complete with a bullet in the wall from the Gabor days, overlooks his flowing, terraced garden and the city of Los Angeles beyond. A focal point in the distance is the famed Mann's Chinese Theater.

While in the cozy, earth toned kitchen preparing the vegan dinner with Patrick, we had an unexpected helper. It seems that their dog, Clarinette, is the official Bauchau taste tester and eagerly awaited her duties.

The Bauchaus are warm and wonderful people. He is a brilliant actor and she, a creative and gentle woman with a warm heart. They are passionate about living and, most of all, each other.

Photo of Patrick Bauchau © 1999 by Harry Schwartz/Alton Entertainment. Click the image to see a larger, uncropped version in a new window. Do not use photo without prior, written permission.