Chef and Owner Michel Poumay was born in France and educated at the Ecole Hotilliere de Liege-Culinary in Belgium. Starting at a young age, Poumay gained experience in the kitchens of hotels in Europe, Africa, South and Central America. He has worked his culinary magic for the Chancellor of Germany and the Queen Mother of Great Britain. To top it off, Poumay holds the prestigious "33 Master Chefs of Belgium" Award. "Though trained in classic cooking, Poumay is ever on the lookout for ways to innovate, as long as they are 'well founded.'"(Cuisine Magazine).

Chez Grand-mère, the current showcase of Michel's talents, was born in Snowmass near Aspen, Colorado in 1982 and garnered much critical praise. Chez Grand-mère moved to Durango, Colorado in 1996 and is now a welcome addition to the historic Rio Grande Land downtown. Chez Grand-mère is small in size and cozy in atmosphere, dcorated with antiques and floral accents. The small scale of the restaurant guarantees that each diner receives individual attention and ample time to savor a sublime six course dinner or a la carte selections. All of the food at Chez Grand-mère is fresh, the desserts homemade, and even the bread baked in the kitchen daily. As food critic Karen Brucoli Anesi noted, "This is food that woos the senses, so beautiful and aromatic that it is tasted with the eyes and nose long before the first forkful ever meets the mouth."