In 1994 Marylise Perrard arrived in the UK from France to extend her business studies degree. 21 years later, she’s still here!
When she applied for a temporary waitressing role at Bistrot Pierre in Nottingham, she got the job – but forgot to mention that not only was her English patchy but she had no waitressing experience.
Now, two decades later, Marylise is the longest-serving member of staff at Bistrot Pierre, which celebrates its landmark 21st birthday this month.
The award-winning French eatery which embraces the French culture and love of food, at the time was called Pierre Victoire – set up by co-owners Rob Beacham and John Whitehead, school friends who had always dreamed of going into business together. Not long afterwards, Marylise arrived.
Marylise, 41, who still lives in Nottingham with her partner and their two young children said: “I came to England for a year that was the plan anyway. I saw jobs advertised at the bistrot and I remember I came in on a Saturday night for a trial. I had broken English and could hardly carry even two plates.
“I wasn’t that great at first, but I hung in there and I thought ‘I will get better’. Thankfully I did”
Marylise was promoted to general manager at the Derby branch in 1996 and then promoted to area manager in 2003. Seven years ago, she rose to operations director.
“I love working for Bistrot Pierre. I just don’t see it as work,” she said. “As a French person, I know that Bistrot Pierre is authentic. It serves really authentic French food at affordable prices. Only some of the dishes are tweaked for the British taste.
“Whenever I go home for a holiday in France, I always bring back ideas to share with the team at Bistrot Pierre.”
Marylise says that to see the rising success of the company is really satisfying. When she started in Nottingham, Rob and John had just two sites – Nottingham and Derby. Today there are 13 restaurants all over the UK – and rising.
Rob said: “Marylise has succeeded because she has a warmth and natural talent for working with people and looking after customers. She has absolutely been a major part of our continuing success story and we are incredibly grateful for the years and hard work she has put in to the business. Nottingham was the site of our very first bistrot so we consider it our home and the city is integral to Bistrot Pierre’s success story.”
