by CHRIS BARRY

Name: Philippe Nicolitch

Age: 42

Occupation: Owner/host of Chez Philippe Bed and Breakfast

Bio: This Hochelaga-Maisonneuve stud had been working for a multinational hotel chain until suddenly finding himself jobless a little over two years ago. Taking the opportunity to re-evaluate his life/professional career, Philippe decided it was finally time to pursue his lifelong dream of owning a bed-and-breakfast, and behold, within the year, Chez Philippe [www.chezphilippe.info] was born at 2457 Ste-Catherine E., just a short jump east of the Jacques-Cartier Bridge. Not your run-of-the-mill, garden variety B&B, Chez Philippe is notable for serving only organic, vegan food and paying strict attention to waste management and environmental concerns.

His average guest profile: "You know, when I first opened, I thought all my guests would be what people call ‘granola-types,' but in fact, I get all kinds of people here - from vegan activist students to retired people into healthy lifestyles to vegan business people, gays, lesbians and straight people. There's really no one profile for my guests."

Does he ever worry his customers are going to steal things from his home/B&B? Never. "Most people expect B&Bs to almost be like an antique store, but my place is very minimalist, very streamlined furniture, very modern. I don't even think about it. Anyway, there's not much to steal in my house to begin with."

Was the idea to make Chez Philippe a vegan establishment inspired more by principle or commerce? As it turns out, Philippe only went vegan at around the same time he was preparing to launch his B&B. "But I suppose by both things."

Did he choose to go vegan personally because he loves animals or more out of his hatred of plants? "Um... because I love animals."

A few nifty places where Philippe buys organic food that doesn't cost him a fortune: Rachelle-Berry, Club Organic and Ferme Michaca, at both the Atwater and Jean-Talon markets.

His breakfast specialty: Cream of rice pudding with raspberries.

With all those vegetarians hanging out in the joint, is it safe to assume the methane flows freely on those cozy evenings spent 'round the fireplace at Chez Philippe? "No! It does not smell [of farts] in here!"

Given the culture of B&Bs, where it often seems guests and hosts are practically obligated to engage each other in long-winded "pleasant" conversation, how does he deal with boring guests who want to yak his ear off with their tired observations on life, love and the relative cleanliness of the Montreal metro system? "Oh no, this never happens. I always have fun people staying here. And I'm always ready to chat in the morning anyway."

Musical preferences: Not a huge music enthusiast, Philippe says he's fond of classical music and the stuff he hears on Couleur Jazz, 99.1 FM.

Childhood ambition: To become a pastry chef.

Current ambition: To find the financing/partner[s] to take the "very successful" Chez Philippe concept to a bigger level.

Last book read: The Joy of Not Working, by Ernie Zelinski.

Words of wisdom: "Leap and the net will appear."

Comments? dimwit@openface.ca