Our Team
We are a team of explorers and builders who stand behind the authenticity and quality of our craft. Join us if your passion is pairing innovation with artisan excellence.
Matthieu Kohlmeyer
President and CEO
My French grandfather passion was his garden: he spent the last 30 years of his life cultivating his vegetable garden full time. For my family, good food was synonymous with slow food. I can still remember the “true” taste of the tomatoes or strawberries that we were picking in our family garden. This is very much at the center of French gastronomy: ingredient matters- terroir matters- season matters.
As a cook today, I like cuisine that lets amazing ingredients shine.
When it comes to daily life, I wake up every morning having to cook for my 2 kids lunch! No time for fancy food; I stick to the basics, with quality ingredients and plenty of greens.
Favorite oils?
Walnut Oil- I make vinaigrettes every day. I love using our walnut oil- it makes my salad taste so much better. It is simple and gratifying: 4 Tbsp. of La Tourangelle walnut oil, 1 Tbsp. of vinegar, 1 tbsp. of real Dijon mustard, a dash of salt. Done.
Organic Olive Oil- I love our organic EVOO: for having it sourced myself, I know the love that came into making it and every time I open a can, I can smell the freshness of the product. EVOO remains a basic of our cooking and I wouldn't trade our EVOO for any other ones.
Favorite place in California?
I live and work in Berkeley and I love it. Right on the Bay, in front of the Golden Gate Bridge, we enjoy the most gorgeous views while living in a vibrant multicultural community. The food culture is awesome and true artisan foods are celebrated everyday by restaurants and home Chef alike!
Peter Wynkoop
VP of Sales
Favorite oil?
My favorite Oil is our Walnut Oil. I love using this in our French Walnut Oil Vinaigrette recipe! It’s only 3 ingredients, with a little salt and pepper, and it’s the best salad dressing I’ve ever had!
Favorite place in California?
My favorite place in California is Sea Ranch on the North Coast. I love the Ocean, Architecture, Sticky Buns from TwoFish bakery and its close proximity to some great wineries!
Samantha Bell
Director of Research & Development
Favorite oil?
I really love our avocado oil! I drizzle some on poached egg and sliced avocado on top of really good bread.
Favorite recipe?
I am a baker and my favorite thing to bake is banana bread with only 5 ingredients including our roasted walnut oil.
Favorite place in California?
My family and I are fortunate to live in the beautiful Napa Valley. We love the family friendly community and let us not forget to mention that Napa Valley is considered to be one of the world's premier wine region and famous for amazing food and dramatic views. Fall is my favorite time in Napa, I love seeing the colors of the leaves changing!
Andrew Sargent
Director of Sourcing and Sustainability
Favorite oil?
LAT sesame oil. Hands down. It is incredible. I have to stop myself from drinking it straight out of the tin.
Favorite recipe?
Has to be a fried Dijon pork chop recipe that I pulled out of a “quick meals” cookbook a decade ago. Not terribly fancy but mmm mmm good…
Favorite place in California?
Impossible to say – it’s a 6-way tie: Founders Grove, Calaveras Big Trees SP, Mineral King (+ high country above it), Pt. Reyes/Inverness, Donner Pass, PacBell/AT&T/Oracle/future corporate sponsor’s name Park