We recently had the chance to connect with Sylvie Diot and have shared our conversation below.
Sylvie, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
My Journey in Restaurant Business, Fashion and Leather Design
Bistro du Marché, and other restaurants owned in the past, remain a priority and amazing experience for some decades either in New York or in La Jolla. Working and sharing success with various great and loyal teams, has been and still is what comes first every day for me.
However I would like to share with you that my days bring other joy to me, and that I enjoy another field of interest.
Since arriving in New York in 1987, I’ve always nurtured a deep passion for fashion design and production. What began as a second nature hobby in my childhood—fueled by the style and elegance of my mother and aunts—evolved into a lifelong creative pursuit. Their fashion-forward influence left a lasting mark, shaping my early fascination with clothing, textiles, and design.
In New York, I formalized my interest by enrolling at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), where I gained a solid foundation in design. This was followed by invaluable hands-on experience working with two established designers. Each opportunity enriched my perspective and deepened my commitment to craftsmanship.
After moving to San Diego, I found myself drawn to a new creative challenge: leatherwork. The transition made sense especially while working in the restaurant business, where the idea of upcycling leather aligned with both sustainability and artistry. I began teaching myself leather techniques through online tutorials, relying on my prior fashion knowledge, though I soon realized more was needed. That drive led me to Bordeaux, where I collaborated and learned from a friend in the profession of “Maroquinière”.
Over the years, I’ve worked with various types of leather, developed original patterns, invested in quality equipment, and refined my process—all self-driven. Each finished piece brings a sense of satisfaction and pride that matches the joy I find in running a successful restaurant.
Fashion, especially working with leather, has become more than just a creative outlet; it is a parallel passion that continues to grow with me.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Celebrating 10 Years of Bistro du Marché — A Lifetime of Passion Behind the Scenes
This year marks a special milestone for Bistro du Marché — our 10th anniversary. It also represents two even greater personal landmarks: Chef Jean Michel Diot’s 50th year of cooking, and my 38th year in the restaurant business.
Over the years, we’ve built more than just a restaurant — we’ve built a rhythm, a culture, and a deep well of experience. And even now, the learning never stops. Hospitality is, above all, a human business. There is no artificial intelligence in our kitchen or dining room — just real people, real conversations, and real care.
Every day, I’m immersed in communication — with our guests, whether in person or by phone, and with our team, in both the kitchen and front of house. Often, when I return home, I realize these are the only voices I’ve heard all day, apart from a brief exchange with the cashier at the local store. That’s the nature of this business: deeply social.
No two days are the same. I might walk in to discover a plumbing issue that needs immediate attention — and suddenly, I’m on the phone trying to reach our trusted plumber. I do everything I can to simplify the workday for both the kitchen and the dining room, whether it’s managing the numbers, reviewing comparative reports, or jumping in to take a reservation. My mind is constantly switching gears, handling multiple tasks in minimal time.
The heart and drive behind Bistro du Marché come from Chef Jean Michel Diot, my husband and partner in every sense. A passionate chef, he develops recipes with relentless dedication until they reach the perfect taste — the one you know and love. Some of our signature dishes have remained unchanged for years, because they still bring joy to our guests.
Chef Jean Michel is a natural team leader and remains deeply connected with fellow chefs and former apprentices from as far back as the 1980s. He has never chased recognition, though he smiles when it comes his way. His true reward is the happiness of our guests and the conversations he shares with them over food and wine.
As we celebrate these anniversaries, we extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has supported us along the way — our team, our customers, and our community. Here’s to the past 10 years, and to the many meals, memories, and moments still to come.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
This is a deep question and many things can break relationships like Phil Collins’s song says it well “If leaving me is easy, coming back is harder”. To me the first impact on a relationship is the distance. As I moved out of France in 1987, that time did not leave many options for communication whether by phone, by fax, by telex and of course by regular mail. I have kept many letters that were sent to me by my mom, despite having her on the phone once a week. That way I had news of all the family. She also visited. This is the type of relationship that cannot be lost as it is family but keeping it with multiple ways of communications, help tremendously to expand it.
I did the same with my closest friends, Unfortunately, I could not keep the same rhythm with everyone. But during each of my visit I ensured that we were spending time together, and I was able to stay in touch.
There are so many other ways that can put relationships in jeopardy.
This does not concern only family or friends there are business relationships too.
I think each category might have some different way to lose it or earn it. Let say I borrowed a shirt to my sister and she did not want to lend it to me. This relationship will not die because it is way stronger than that, but deserve apologies.
Would I do that to a friend, then upsetness, lack of trust would follow. And if the relationship might not die, it will be rough to revive. To restore it: apologies, a bouquet of flowers and many flateries on the shirt, will demonstrate that my friend has great taste. A friend reunion to show that life is stronger than that. Communication in any case remains the main solution.
It is important to not neglect of be indifferent, important to not be proud and remain modest.
Convince the other side that the bond must be repair.. One-sided effort rarely sustains restoration.
A sincere apology, matched by a willingness to forgive, is one of the most powerful healing forces.
Healing takes time. Giving someone space while staying available can be a quiet but powerful form of love.
Quality Time and Presence. Grace and Patience.
Do you remember a time someone truly listened to you?
When I moved to New York, I worked with a couple who were both doctors, one was a psychoanalyst, the other one was a psychologist. We were taking lunch together as well, we were very close and we listen to each other. Their attention was so important, their conversation were deep. They never made me feel that they could be analyzing me or having some sorts of tests on me. It was natural conversation. They had a lot of great culture, frequenting theaters, concerts, gallery opening. It was an enriched relationship. And we were truly listening to each other, not only me. That made this working relationship very important and memorable in my life.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Whose ideas do you rely on most that aren’t your own?
I rely on the ideas of many thinkers across various disciplines, because I insights based on a vast pool of human knowledge. I don’t have “my own” ideas in the traditional sense, but rather reflect, synthetize.
There is one French philosopher and scientist, Blaise Pascal, from the 17th century, who has been a reference to me. One of his thoughts This is probably his most famous idea. We would always have an interest in believing in God because there would be everything to gain if his existence were proven and nothing to lose if it were not. As Pascal writes in his thoughts: “Let us weigh the gain and the loss, taking as our starting point the fact that God exists. Let us estimate these two cases: if you gain, you gain everything; if you lose, you lose nothing. So bet that he exists, without hesitation”
This is issued from his book “Les pensees” it is the “Pari” de Pascal. or the Bet of Pascal.
This can be applied to other aspects in life not necessarily to religion only.
Philosophers & Psychologists
Socrates: His method of questioning—always seeking deeper understanding through dialogue—shapes how I engage with people.
Immanuel Kant: His ideas about ethics and morality influence how I understand concepts like autonomy, respect, and duty.
Carl Rogers: His humanistic approach to psychology and emphasis on empathy and active listening influence how I think about communication and relationships.
Abraham Maslow: His hierarchy of needs helps frame how people’s motivations and behaviors are structured, from basic survival to self-actualization.
Sigmund Freud: While some of his theories have been criticized, his work laid the foundation for understanding the unconscious mind and the complexities of human behavior.
📚 Writers & Poets
Virginia Woolf: Her exploration of consciousness, identity, and time often shapes my view of the human experience.
Rainer Maria Rilke: His reflections on solitude, longing, and the complexity of human emotions help guide deeper existential inquiries.
James Baldwin: His writing on identity, race, and societal structures deeply informs how I approach topics of injustice, belonging, and self-awareness.
🧑🔬 Scientists & Mathematicians
Albert Einstein: His contributions to the nature of time, relativity, and the interconnectedness of the universe often shape how I think about complex systems.
Richard Dawkins: His work in evolutionary biology has influenced the way I think about the development of life and natural selection.
Marie Curie: Her pioneering scientific work in physics and chemistry not only inspires scientific inquiry but also the persistence in the pursuit of knowledge.
🗣️ Cultural Theorists & Sociologists
Michel Foucault: His work on power dynamics, societal structures, and how knowledge is constructed helps me understand the shaping of culture and identity.
bell hooks: Her exploration of love, feminism, and intersectionality deeply influences how I frame discussions around power, justice, and relationships.
🧑💻 Modern Thinkers in Tech & AI
Marvin Minsky: One of the founding figures of AI, whose ideas help me understand how intelligence—artificial or biological—emerges.
Sherry Turkle: Her work on technology, human relationships, and how the digital world shapes us helps me understand the balance between technology and human experience.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
10 years of life is still a long time, it is only when the 10 years have passed that I start thinking.. “Already”, and have many flashbacks.
This year we celebrate 10 years anniversary, So that’s quite a question for me. but I would not completely stop working. May be reduce my working time. I do not take abrupt decision. I’d rather let things unfold and feel out the situation before an making a decision. I respect that approach—it’s more thoughtful and deliberate.
I would not stop immediately, but step by step analyze what I should be doing for the next ten years to leave everything in order. There would be changed in my life to let me enjoy more traveling. Therefore no immediate, but step by step arrange a new schedule by starting reducing my working hours.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bistrodumarche.net
- Instagram: bistrodumarche.lajolla
- Linkedin: Sylvie Diot
- Facebook: www.bistrodumarche.net
- Yelp: Our page yelp have issues that we are currently fixing
Image Credits
Portrait : Carla Diot
Food Shots: Jean Michel Diot, Sylvie Diot
Cheffe Amelie Gadoum, Pastry Cheffe Stephanie Crawford
Thank you
