Christian & Jennifer Masse
Christian and Jennifer Masse: the husband and wife culinary team that have been producing and serving fine food together for over twenty years.
Christian (the Chef de Cuisine) is a native of Valance in Southern France and starting at a young age was trained in the French resort areas of the Cote d’Azur and Chamonix. Christian has worked in some of the finest kitchens all over the world, in such far-flung places as Scotland and London in the UK (Glen Eagles Hotel, Coq d’Or), the islands of the Bahamas (Sonesta Beach Hotel), New York City (La Caravelle, Lutece, Le Mistral), and San Francisco (Hyatt Regency Hotel). In 1974 Christian opened his first restaurant, L’Escargot in Burlingame with partner Gerard Canese. In 1984 he opened a second L’Escargot in Napa where fate brought him together with Jennifer.
Jennifer (the Pastry Chef) was born in Morocco and raised in both Ohio and Northern California. Jennifer was also trained at a young age under the guidance of her mother, a consummate hostess and student of fine French cooking, and father, a Francophile and wine expert. Later Jennifer trained professionally at a Michigan beach resort (White Birch Lodge) and the Hotel and Restaurant Management School at the University of Denver. Jennifer’s early career was based in the hotel industry in Denver (Aircoa – a hotel management company) and Napa (Clarion Hotel) as a dining and banquet manager. Knowing the newest and finest restaurants in Napa was part of Jennifer’s job and, as destiny would have it, that is what brought her to Christian.
When the newest French restaurant came to Napa, Jennifer took her mother to try out the place. When the appetizer arrived (Escargot Abbaye with a delightful tarragon sauce) Jen told her mom, “This sauce is so good, I’m going to marry this guy!” And that’s exactly what she did. In the autumn of 1985 Jennifer and Christian were married in a hot air balloon floating above the Napa Valley. The restaurant in Napa sold soon after and the couple went to live in Burlingame. Christian worked at La Reserve in San Mateo, as they started a family, two boys: Christian deux and Shane.
Putting together the culinary and hospitality skills of the couple, it was a natural they would want to open their own business. In 1988 Jennifer and Christian moved to Placerville and took ownership of Zachary Jacques Restaurant-Country French Cuisine. The country side setting with a house behind the restaurant was a great place to raise two young boys and still manage a demanding business. For seventeen years, Zachary Jacques was the pride, joy and focus of the Masse family. Supported by a wonderful local clientele the restaurant and family flourished.
In 2005, it was time for a new challenge. Christian has always been known for his great sauces, baked goods and charcuterie and Jennifer for her rich and beautiful desserts. Both Jennifer and Christian have always enjoyed their relationships with their customers. With that in mind, they decided to open a gourmet market and prepared foods “to go” business. ALLEZ! Good Food on the Go is found in the charming village of Historic El Dorado in the heart of the Gold Country (just off Highway 49—Gold Country route). The shop is located in an historic building which also houses a beautiful and unique Gallery owned by Donna Almquist. Most all the packaging is biodynamic. Christian and Jennifer love to host wine tastings, cooking classes and are very involved in community projects, especially with culinary and hospitality students and professionals.