A story across generations

Charles connected the launch of JRE Latin America to the history of his own family, tracing a line between entrepreneurship, trust, and long-term vision.

Distinguished guests, fellow members, dear friends,

It is a rare privilege to stand before you today, at what I believe will be remembered as a historic moment for Jeunes Restaurateurs. Allow me to explain why this occasion feels, for me, so deeply personal.

The story of my family begins in France, in 1827, nearly two hundred years ago, when Jean-Baptiste Lapostolle founded our house. Some fifty years later, his descendant Alexandre Marnier Lapostolle created a liqueur that would travel the world: Grand Marnier. And a century after that, my grandfather, Jacques Marnier Lapostolle, inherited both the house and, I believe, something more important, a certain instinct. An instinct for recognising a good idea, and giving it the means to grow.

That instinct is why we are here today.

Fifty-two years ago, a young woman named Nicole Seltz came to my grandfather with a bold idea: that young, talented restaurateurs deserved a community, a standard, a voice of their own. He listened. He believed her. And he said yes. From that conversation, the JRE was born.

More than thirty years ago, another young woman came to him with another bold idea: my mother. She wanted to plant a winery in Chile, in a valley called Apalta, on land that had yet to prove itself. He listened. He believed her. And he said yes again.

One might think my grandfather may have had a certain faible for young women with ambitious ideas. “For sure,” as a certain French president might say, we’re French, after all! But truly, what he loved was youth itself. And his way of honouring it was always the same: he supported les Jeunes. The Jeunes Restaurateurs yesterday. The Jeunes Winemakers the day after.

He could not have imagined what would follow. That the JRE would outgrow France and become one of Europe’s great culinary institutions. That a winery in an unknown Chilean valley would produce Clos Apalta, a wine awarded perfect scores and ranked, year after year, among the best in the world. He simply acted, and trusted. And these are the gifts of visionary moments: you cannot see their full consequence…

Why stop at Europe?

Reflecting on the JRE 50th anniversary celebrations two years earlier, Charles described how the idea of expanding beyond Europe began to take shape.

Two years ago, I had the honour of attending the JRE’s 50th anniversary. I was genuinely moved by how far a single act of confidence had travelled, and by how alive this association still felt, half a century on. And somewhere between the speeches and the dinners, a simple question began to form: Why stop at Europe?

Latin America is one of the most exciting culinary frontiers in the world today; its chefs, its produce, its traditions, its audacity. Its young restaurateurs deserve the same platform, the same community, the same recognition that JRE has given to a generation of European talent.

So, we began. Member by member, conversation by conversation. And today, what was an idea has become a reality. I am deeply honoured to tell you that more than ten members have already joined on this continent, ten founding voices of what I believe will become something my grandfather, had he lived to see it, would have recognised immediately.

And allow me one personal note, because for me it closes a circle in the most beautiful way. Our own restaurant at Clos Apalta Residence is now a member of JRE. Fifty-two years after my grandfather approved the creation of this association, the house he helped build in Chile has earned its place within it. I cannot think of a finer tribute to him, nor a more fitting way to begin this new chapter.

Another good idea. Another yes.

A final word

Charles closed with a personal reflection on the future generations that will shape the association in the years ahead.

Keep going. Keep expanding. Take JRE to the world!!

Thank you — and here’s to the next fifty years!!!

A new chapter for JRE

More than an announcement, Charles' address framed the launch of JRE Latin America as part of a longer story about trust, opportunity, and generational continuity.

By connecting the origins of JRE to its expansion beyond Europe, the speech positioned LATAM not simply as growth, but as a continuation of the association’s founding spirit: supporting young talent, creating exchange, and building something designed to last beyond a single generation.