What Motivates TRB Owner Ignace Leclair to Get Out of Bed?

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Our expat community thrives on connection, and here at Jingkids, we’re all about our readers, and what they need and want in order to maximize their time here in Beijing. Every Monday, we’re going to feature a prominent member of our expat community and get to know them a little bit better.

From working in globally respected food cities like London, Paris, and New York, Belgian national (and father of three) Ignace Leclair has been striving in the food and beverage industry since the age of 16. Now, after this long journey, he has set foot in China‘s capital is a part of that new wave of food connoisseurs driving this thriving culinary industry in the city.

Known in Beijing as one of the hardest working people in F&B, Leclair is the proud owner of TRB, Hulu, and Peach. With multiple locations all over the city, it’s needless to say that Leclair has got a full plate on his hands and keeps himself busy 24/7.

What’s on your mind?

Since the dine-in service finally resumed after a month of soft lockdown in Beijing, my mind is currently 100% focused on bringing the restaurants back to operation. After not being able to dine out for quite some time, guests would definitely return with higher expectations and are undoubtedly hoping to make the most out of each meal. I’ve been spending most of my days now in the restaurants physically working with my team to ensure TRB hospitality is delivered.

What’s your motivation to get moving?

One motivation is to make sure not only my family but my extended TRB family (my team) are being taken care of, mentally and physically. As a small/medium-size business owner, I’d say that is the biggest drive to wake me up every morning.

How do you stay sane in all the madness?

It had been great that I was able to spend some quality time with my family, trying to keep ourselves and the kids entertained creatively, taking the dogs out for morning jogs and some pool time, utilizing the time to reset, reconnect and reflect on ourselves, and taking this rare advantage of the full stop period that could barely happen before. It all keeps me sane in a way.

What is your favorite thing about Beijing?

I just love wandering around hutongs, observing people on the streets, sitting down in a local noodle shop, and simply feeling satisfied with a bowl of fresh-served food. It’s interesting and somewhat inspiring to see how people live differently in every part of the world. With the compliments of the summer breeze, there are no better things to do than just walking or cycling in the city purposelessly and being surprised along the way.

Images: TRB

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