"Le Tandem"

English version below / versión en Español debajo / version Française ci-dessous

“Le Tandem” | By Gabriel Tellez

Close your eyes.

Imagine you're in France and can smell how a wonderful feast is getting cooked for you to enjoy on sunny summer or a rainy winter. 

Annecy is the town's name where the magic happens, and the place is Le Tandem, a cozy restaurant owned by Marie & Matthieu. Two long-time friends with a purpose: please their customers through delicious meals and pizzas full of flavor and prepared with locally-grown & produced ingredients. 

Orders are in, customers are waiting for their pizzas, the local brewery is waiting for the pizza deliveries, and the pizza-makers are running out of sliced onions and mushrooms. Matthieu puts his helmet on, takes a couple of pizza boxes ready to be delivered, puts them in the insulated food carrier for hot food, and jumps into his bike to ride into the evening to deliver the pizzas. All of that happens in less than 5 minutes.   

I've known Matthieu since 2006, and we were roommates for a short period in 2008 -where he taught me to cook vegetable soups, quiche sans pote, and gateau au yaourt-; in 2017, he became my best man. In his personal life, he's restless, straightforward, and funny. 

I remember him telling me once how he got into the pizza-making business back in the day when he was a student. He started as a delivery guy, and with time he began to learn how to make pizzas. Ultimately, he became the manager of two pizza places in Normandy (his hometown). When completing his studies, he moved on and migrated to Mexico.

In the late 2000s Matthieu returned to France and started to work at La Société Générale S.A., becoming eventually a Directeur d'agence bancaire. We visited him in 2016 at the Chamonix branch, and he welcomed us into his office; he offered some tea, and we chatted for a bit. Everything around was very tidy and color-coded. He was doing a great job there, and he was handling executive clients in French, English, and Spanish at some point. He spent ten years at the bank, but according to him, he reached a point where he needed a change. 

Change happened, and Matthieu decided he wanted his own business. So, with his pizza-knowledge background and excellent cooking skills, Marie & Matthieu started to plan everything, and in June 2018, they opened Le Tandem at 54 Av. de Genève. 

After four years, they both have built a loyal customer base, and I'd say mainly because of two things, great food -obviously- and the personal & dedicated attention to their customers. 

... Stay original. Stay true. Keep creating.

Le Tandem
- Cuisine Maison & Pizzeria -
54 Avenue de Genève, 74000 Annecy. France.
https://www.letandem-annecy.fr/

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This work was Iliana's idea, and it was great. I enjoyed spending time at Le Tandem, where the magic happens. 

This photo essay is dedicated to Marie, Matthieu, Le Tandem employees, customers, suppliers, and the town of Annecy. 

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BIO

Gabriel Tellez is a software engineer and an amateur photographer drawn to architecture, engineering, and landscaping. Lately, he has been traveling & documenting nature, architecture, engineering, and people. Gabriel, Iliana, and Benjamin reside in Playa del Rey, CA. 

Instagram: @gabtyz / Website: koken.gabrieltellez.mx

“Le Tandem” | Por Gabriel Tellez

Cierra tus ojos.

Imagina que estás en Francia y puedes oler cómo se prepara un festín maravilloso para que lo disfrutes en un verano soleado o en un invierno lluvioso.

Annecy es el nombre de la ciudad donde ocurre la magia, y el lugar es Le Tandem, un acogedor restaurante propiedad de Marie & Matthieu. Dos viejos amigos con un propósito: complacer a sus clientes a través de deliciosas comidas y pizzas llenas de sabor y preparadas con ingredientes cultivados y producidos localmente.

Los pedidos están listos, los clientes esperan sus pizzas, la cervecería local espera las entregas de pizza y los pizzeros se están quedando sin cebollas y champiñones en rodajas. Matthieu se pone el casco, toma un par de cajas de pizza listas para ser entregadas, las coloca en el contenedor de alimentos aislado para comida caliente y salta a su bicicleta para andar en la noche y entregar las pizzas. Todo eso sucede en menos de 5 minutos.

Conozco a Matthieu desde 2006, y fuimos compañeros de departamento durante un breve período en 2008 -donde me enseñó a cocinar sopas de verduras, quiche sans pote, y gateau au yaourt-; en 2017, se convirtió en mi padrino. En su vida personal es inquieto, directo y divertido.

Recuerdo que una vez me contó cómo se metió en el negocio de la pizza cuando era estudiante. Empezó como repartidor, y con el tiempo empezó a aprender a hacer pizzas. Finalmente, se convirtió en gerente de dos pizzerías en Normandía (su ciudad natal). Al terminar sus estudios, se mudó y emigró a México.

A fines de la década de 2000, Matthieu regresó a Francia y comenzó a trabajar en La Société Générale S.A., convirtiéndose finalmente en Directeur d'agence bancaire. Lo visitamos en 2016 en la sucursal de Chamonix y nos recibió en su oficina; ofreció un poco de té y charlamos un rato. Todo alrededor estaba muy ordenado y codificado por colores. Estaba haciendo un gran trabajo allí, y en algún momento estuvo manejando clientes ejecutivos en francés, inglés y español. Estuvo diez años en el banco, pero según él, llegó a un punto en el que necesitaba un cambio.

Se produjo un cambio y Matthieu decidió que quería su propio negocio. Entonces, con su experiencia en hacer pizza y sus excelentes habilidades culinarias, Marie & Matthieu comenzaron a planificar todo, y en junio de 2018 abrieron Le Tandem en 54 Av. de Genève.

Después de cuatro años, ambos han construido una base de clientes leales, y diría que principalmente por dos cosas, buena comida -obviamente- y la atención personal y dedicada a sus clientes.

... Manténganse originales. Manténganse fieles. Sigan creando.

Le Tandem
- Cuisine Maison & Pizzeria -
54 Avenue de Genève, 74000 Annecy. France.
https://www.letandem-annecy.fr/

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Este trabajo fue idea de Iliana, y quedó genial. Disfruté pasar tiempo en Le Tandem, donde sucede la magia.

Este ensayo fotográfico está dedicado a Marie, Matthieu, los empleados de Le Tandem, los clientes, los proveedores y la ciudad de Annecy.

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BIOGRAFÍA

Gabriel Tellez es ingeniero de software y fotógrafo aficionado atraído por la arquitectura, la ingeniería y el paisajismo. Últimamente, ha estado viajando y documentando la naturaleza, la arquitectura, la ingeniería y las personas. Gabriel, Iliana y Benjamin residen en Playa del Rey, CA.

Instagram: @gabtyz / Website: koken.gabrieltellez.mx

“Le Tandem” | Par Gabriel Tellez

Ferme tes yeux.

Imaginez que vous êtes en France et que vous pouvez sentir comment un merveilleux festin est préparé pour que vous puissiez en profiter un été ensoleillé ou un hiver pluvieux.

Annecy est le nom de la ville où la magie opère, et l'endroit est Le Tandem, un restaurant confortable appartenant à Marie et Matthieu. Deux amis de longue date avec un objectif : faire plaisir à leurs clients à travers de délicieux plats et pizzas pleins de saveurs et préparés avec des ingrédients cultivés et produits localement.

Les commandes sont passées, les clients attendent leurs pizzas, la brasserie locale attend les livraisons de pizzas et les pizzaïolos manquent d'oignons et de champignons émincés. Matthieu met son casque, prend quelques boîtes de pizza prêtes à être livrées, les met dans le porte-aliments isotherme pour les plats chauds et saute dans son vélo pour rouler jusqu'au soir pour livrer les pizzas. Tout cela se passe en moins de 5 minutes.

Je connais Matthieu depuis 2006, et nous avons été colocataires pendant une courte période en 2008 -où il m'a appris à cuisiner des soupes de légumes, quiche sans pote, et gâteau au yaourt- ; en 2017, il est devenu mon témoin. Dans sa vie personnelle, il est agité, direct et drôle.

Je me souviens qu'il m'a raconté une fois comment il s'était lancé dans la fabrication de pizzas à l'époque où il était étudiant. Il a commencé comme livreur, et avec le temps, il a commencé à apprendre à faire des pizzas. Finalement, il devient gérant de deux pizzerias en Normandie (sa ville natale). À la fin de ses études, il a déménagé et a émigré au Mexique.

À la fin des années 2000, Matthieu est rentré en France et a commencé à travailler à La Société Générale S.A., devenant finalement Directeur d'agence bancaire. Nous lui avons rendu visite en 2016 à l'agence de Chamonix, et il nous a accueillis dans son bureau; il a offert du thé et nous avons bavardé un peu. Tout autour était très bien rangé et codé par couleur. Il faisait un excellent travail là-bas et il traitait des clients exécutifs en français, en anglais et en espagnol à un moment donné. Il a passé dix ans à la banque, mais selon lui, il a atteint un point où il avait besoin d'un changement.

Le changement s'est produit et Matthieu a décidé qu'il voulait sa propre entreprise. Alors, avec sa connaissance de la pizza et ses excellentes compétences en cuisine, Marie et Matthieu ont commencé à tout planifier et, en juin 2018, ils ont ouvert Le Tandem au 54 Av. de Genève.

Après quatre ans, ils ont tous deux construit une clientèle fidèle, et je dirais principalement à cause de deux choses, la bonne bouffe - évidemment - et l'attention personnelle et dédiée à leurs clients.

... Restez original. Reste vrai. Continuez à créer.

Le Tandem
- Cuisine Maison & Pizzeria -
54 Avenue de Genève, 74000 Annecy. France.
https://www.letandem-annecy.fr/

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Ce travail était l'idée d'Iliana, et c'était génial. J'ai aimé passer du temps au Tandem, là où la magie opère.

Ce reportage photo est dédié à Marie, Matthieu, aux salariés du Tandem, aux clients, aux fournisseurs et à la ville d'Annecy.

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BIO

Gabriel Tellez est un ingénieur logiciel et un photographe amateur attiré par l'architecture, l'ingénierie et l'aménagement paysager. Dernièrement, il a voyagé et documenté la nature, l'architecture, l'ingénierie et les gens. Gabriel, Iliana et Benjamin résident à Playa del Rey, en Californie.

Instagram: @gabtyz / Website: koken.gabrieltellez.mx

"Finding James"

“Finding James” | By Gabriel Tellez

Ray and James met again by coincidence around mid-July 1965 on Venice Beach, right down from Fraser Avenue, where Ray and his girl, Dorothy, lived. James skipped his UCLA graduation and told Ray he was planning to go to New York. However, in the last few months, James had been residing at a friend's rooftop at Speedway St., where he was getting high and writing songs extensively from a concert he kept hearing in his head while looking at the sea.

Ray asked him to sing some of his songs; James hesitated; Ray listened, and then Ray proposed to get together to form a Rock & Roll band - "that's what I want to do!" said James. So he moved into the Fraser Av. apartment, and they started work on James' singing while Dorothy was working to support them. Ray had no keyboard at home, so part of the routine was to travel to UCLA's rehearsal rooms in the basement of the Schoenberg Music Hall to work on the songs written on Venice's rooftop.

Right there on that beach, Ray said: "There's only one problem; what do we call the band?"; "The Doors", James answered; "is that about The Doors of Perception book by Huxley?" asked Ray; "yes!" replied James.

Ray invites someone from his meditation class to jam with them on the drums- John. The latter brings his long-time friend Robby to play the guitar, which has been playing the electric guitar for a short amount of time, being the traditional guitar his specialty, particularly flamenco.

The rest is history. 

After recording their last album (L.A. Woman) with the Doors, James announced his intention to go to Paris. However, after some months, his girlfriend, Pamela Courson, found him dead in the bathtub. James died on July 3rd, 1971, at the age of 27. The cause of death was ruled as heart failure. James spent his final days living in the city of his literary idols, so it's known that Père Lachaise was one of his favorite places, visiting Wilde's and probably Molière's graves.

James, Ray, John, and Robby were together for approximately 54 months, recorded six studio albums, and became one of the most controversial yet more influential rock bands of the 1960s. Their music sounded -and keeps sounding- like no one else's.

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After recovering from a suicide attempt in 1991, my brother became a rebel and a bigger fan of The Doors' music - probably because in March of that year, The Doors movie by Oliver Stone was released. Even though it received critics for its historical inaccuracy, including how James was portrayed, many people think the film brought back The Doors and Jim Morrison into the popular culture. Including probably also going against the established authority & rules - I believe in my brother's case: high school & my dad. 

In 1991, if you turned on the radio, you could listen to Queen, Nirvana, Metallica, R.E.M., and Guns N' Roses, among others. In addition, the Gulf War (the first live broadcasted war) had ended in February of that year, with its aftermath lasting years. Also, in early February, Mexico, the U.S.A., and Canada started the NAFTA conversations. Then, in May, a Mexican was crowned Miss Universe for the first time in history. 

Eventually, my brother recovered and joined the local gym, where he discovered Arnold Schwarzenegger (as a bodybuilder), making him his new idol. After being stable for several years and graduating in Economics in 2000, he gained independence from my parents. Then, however, he went into a manic episode while working at his first job, requiring immediate hospitalization. Unknown to us, this condition at that time was called manic-depression, and in the early 2000s, my brother was finally diagnosed with bipolar I disorder. 

Bipolar disorder usually emerges in late adolescence (teen years) or early adulthood, with symptoms varying over the years, requiring lifelong treatment, constant family support, therapy, and a prescribed treatment plan to improve the quality of life and manage the symptoms.  

Since the 1990s, The Doors' music has constantly been in my life. So in early 2022, while scrapbooking my brother's attempt from 31 years ago, I started deep-diving into the band's history, only to discover that we live 6.6 miles away from where everything started. This is where my quest to find James began with the requirement to shoot most of the photographs using B&W film with a 1970s camera - my dad's Yashica FX-1.

The photos presented here are a glimpse at my "Finding James" quest, which, at the same time, represents an attempt to pick up the pieces I didn't understand back when I was eight and my brother was fifteen. 

I will finish this with an extract from Rolling Stone, April 4th, 1991: "The Doors' lead singer - who only two years before had been one of rock's smartest, scariest and sexiest heroes - was now a heart-rendering alcoholic and clownish jerk. He needed help; he did not merit cheap veneration, and he certainly did not deserve the horrid, moralistic brand of jail-house punishment that the state of Florida hoped to impose on him. Of course, Morrison never received - or at least never accepted - the help that might have saved him."

This photo essay is dedicated to my brother Roberto and his challenging yet rewarding life.

...This is the end

Beautiful friend

This is the end

My only friend, the end...

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BIO

Gabriel Tellez is a software engineer and a photographer drawn to architecture, engineering, landscaping, and history. Lately, he has been traveling & documenting nature, architecture, and people. Gabriel, Iliana, and Benjamin reside in Playa del Rey, CA.

Instagram: @gabtyz / Website: koken.gabrieltellez.mx

“Rio de Los Angeles”

“Rio de Los Angeles” | By Gabriel Tellez

Even though “El Rio De Nuestra Señora La Reina De Los Angeles De Porciuncula” it’s one of Los Angeles’ most under-appreciated resources, the L.A. River has been a handy location for the Hollywood film industry. With its urban wasteland appearance and flat concrete riverbed, it’s been an ideal location for shooting; think about those car chases through the river in Grease, Terminator 2, Gone in 60 Seconds, The Dark Knight Rises, and The Italian Job (remake). In addition, the views of the L.A. downtown skyline and the urban, industrial feel have given films the cool minimalist look they need.

Twelve historic bridges designed in the art deco style over the river have been registered on the National Register of Historic Places. Their construction speeded the development of the residential area east of the river by providing streetcar transportation and an elevated automobile roadway over the river & the tracks of the Southern Pacific railroad.

The Los Angeles River runs for approximately 51 miles, of which about 70% has a concrete bed, and passes through 17 cities. The river -primarily fed by rainwater, snowmelt, and treated water- was channelized by the Army Corps of Engineers in the early 20th century after a series of devastating floods.

Along the river, there are only 3 locations (the Sepulveda Basin, the Glendale Narrows, and the Long Beach Estuary) with no concrete at the bottom, where nature grows freely and provides food and habitat for approximately 1,200 species of animals.

But like everything, there’s a downside; the L.A. River faces significant challenges, like pollution (mainly plastic waste and industrial discharge), the lack of wetlands since it was channelized, and an increasing homeless population along its banks & its islets, to mention a few. Luckily, there’s always hope, and residents, non-profit organizations, and local governments have been working together to alleviate some of these problems.

For the past 31 years, FoLAR (“Friends of the L.A. River”) has been conducting summer cleanups of the L.A. River, and this year only, approximately 2,000 volunteers picked up a total of 18 tons of trash at 11 sites. Of course, cleanups alone may not solve the plastic or waste problem. Still, they can increase awareness, change people’s behavior, and help future generations – participation in those cleanups is an eye-opening experience.

Another promising initiative -where participation among the community is critical- is the 2020 revision of the original 1996’s L.A. River Master Plan. Its purpose is to optimize & enhance the river to make it more accessible to the social, cultural, and ecological communities while enriching the quality of life for residents and recognizing the river’s primary purpose for flood control.

Who better than someone growing up on the banks of the Mississippi River like Robert Crais to describe in The Last Detective, the river: “The Los Angeles River is small, but mean. People who don’t know the truth of it make fun of our river; all they see is a tortured trickle that snakes along a concrete gutter like some junkie’s vein. They don’t know that we put the river in concrete to save ourselves; they don’t know that the river is small because it’s sleeping and that every year and sometimes more it wakes.”

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BIO

Gabriel Tellez is a software engineer and an amateur photographer drawn to architecture, engineering, and landscaping. Lately, he has been documenting the diversity of the Los Angeles River, including nature, architecture, engineering, and its current challenges. Gabriel, his wife, and one boy reside in Playa del Rey, CA.

Instagram: @gabtyz / Website: koken.gabrieltellez.mx

Photo Essay edited by Alejandra Martínez Moreno

Initially published in Burn Magazine in September 2021

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