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THE ST. MARIE FAMILY

The St. Marie family has owned and operated "Au Petit Paris" since 1960. Louis the chef, his wife Jeanne Hostess, Louis III Headwaiter, and Jeannine Marketing Director. Whether it's an intimate dinner for two, a very special occasion, a business meeting, or you just want to impress someone. You may be assured that the St. Marie's and their very dedicated staff will make your dining experience memorable. The atmosphere at "Au Petit Paris" is intimate, not rushed. Our menu is "A La Carte" and will satisfy the most discriminating gourmet. Our wine cellar boasts the most extensive collection in Western Maryland. Our bar with its cozy fireplace will help set the mood for a delightful evening.

HOW IT ALL BEGAN

Many of our clients have often asked us, "How did the Au Petit Paris get its start?"

As a member of the American Air Force, Louis was assigned to Amarillo air force base, as an instructor in the jet school. At that time France was very heavily involved in Vietnam. Under a mutual defense pact, France sent many of its air force personnel to Amarillo for training. Louis was assigned as instructor-entrepreneur to the French Air Force, at the time the largest contingency of foreign military at Amarillo.

Because of the number of French personnel, and for reasons too numerous to delve into, some interpreters contacted local Amarillo businessmen for some help in establishing some sort of a club for the French airmen who were so far away from home. A small vacant store was donated for their use, along with various furnishings. At this time it became clear that the majority of our French personnel had training in the culinary arts. As a result, a stove and various kitchen items were added to the club.

Once a month the airmen pooled their moneys, purchased food items and prepared a feast. No one but French Air Force personnel and their guests were allowed in the club. One afternoon on the day of one of the feasts, Louis dropped in to help, not ever realizing that his engineering background would not protect him. "I was amazed by every facet of the operation, the simplicity, the team work. I was hooked, I wanted to know more." From that afternoon in 1954, Louis has never left "Au Petit Paris," which incidentally means, "A Little Bit of Paris."

One by one our Frenchmen returned home, the staff was now reduced to two, Max and Louis. It was decided to try to keep the operation going, for as long as we had time remaining in our enlistment. Max was the principle organizer, and Louis would cook and do whatever else was necessary.July 1955 Louis returned to Amarillo with his bride Jeanne. Upon Max's discharge and departure from Amarillo, Louis & Jeanne continued to operate the restaurant after his discharge in 1959. Enter John Jenkins, a Frostburg business man, who offered them a chance to move closer to their children's grandparents in Massachusetts.

June 20, 1960 the "Au Petit Paris" had its new beginning in Frostburg, Maryland. We have never regretted our move to Frostburg, nor our association with Mr. Jenkins.