Julien Thomas is quite the bon vivant, but he can’t help it. He’s French. He spent a year pouring wine at Cafe Boulud NY, and now he’s gracing London with his charm and wit at Bar Boulud in The Mandarin Oriental in Hyde Park. Like the other JT we all know and love; Julien, nicknamed the maestro is all dressed up in suit and tie ready to show us a few things about…wine.
Follow Julien on Instagram @julienthomas21 and on Twitter @barbouludlondon
Elisa: Where are you from?
Julien Thomas: From “La Cite des Sacre.” The most ‘sparkling’ area on this earth, in Reims, France.
E: That sounds very exotic.
E: What is your favorite grape and why?
JT: Chardonnay, I had my first sip at a young age!
E: Do you remember your very first glass of wine?
JT: Who doesn’t? Every first time stays in mind.
E: What was it?
JT: Some Champagne of course!
E: Of course!
E: Describe your daily routine at work?
JT: I begin with a coffee, followed by some water, a few sips of wine to keep the “Gamma GT” level good. I end the night with a pint to relax and unwind.
E: Where did you attend school?
JT: Culinary school near Reims.
E: : How many wine glasses can you carry with your hands at once?
JT: Only one. I only use a tray…
E: What is your favorite season?
JT: Autumn
E: If you ran the world what is one law you would enact?
JT: A law that prohibits the selling of bad wine in supermarkets.
E: Who taught you how to dress so well?
JT: My genes!
E: What inspired you to buy a pair of blue suede shoes? Was it Elvis?
JT: Those are actually the first pair of shoes I bought in NYC. I just fall in love, of course Elvis was not very far from the inspiration.
E: Do you prefer buttons or zippers?
JT: Zippers.
E: If you had to choose one thing to wear for the rest of your life what would it be?
JT: Swimsuit!!
E: Speedo?
JT: Vilebrequin. If I have to wear it the rest of my life, it should be classy enough to wear in any circumstance!
E: Do you believe in free will or destiny?
JT: I think everyone has a destiny; our free will helps us more or less follow that destiny and path we are suppose to be on.
E: If you could bring one thing from the USA to London what would it be?
JT: All things from the USA are good! The same applies for any country on the globe…every place has something unique to offer.
E: What is one thing you like about Americans?
JT: “New Yorkers”, they’re open minded.
E: What is the one question you hate being asked the most?
JT: “What is your favorite wine?”
E: What is your favorite wine?? I’m just kidding. Don’t answer that.
JT: Ha, ha.
E: In three words describe London
JT: Traditional, Innovative, Gastronomic.
E: Thanks for taking the time, Julien. Bon Service!