Remon and Christelle Zamalis opened La Mere Lutz in September 2024 offering a full-service catering and dining experience with French, Greek, Italian, and Lebanese cuisine.
Photo by Sarah Drinkwine.
Located seven minutes north of Genoa Lane, Woodetts owners Remon and Christelle Zamalis are bringing a farm to table experience at La Mere Lutz.
Named after Christelle’s mother, La Mere Lutz is a full-service catering company specializing in corporate events, weddings, and private parties.
“What Woodetts can’t do, send it here,” said Remon. “It’s classy and elegant with a French twist for the Valley.”
Since opening in September 2024, La Mere Lutz has catered private and special events including the Crystal Angels of Carson Valley, “the Gala” serving 185 people in December, and provided a special to-go menu during Thanksgiving and Christmas.
The Zamalis took over Woodetts in October 2021 with a vision to serve the community with the same involvement and dedication as the diner’s previous owners, while adding French and Greek Cuisine to the menu.
Since then, aside from serving breakfast and lunch, Woodetts offers a French Bistro pop-up once a month, has catered for the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Advisory Council 20th anniversary and other events, have participated in the Minden Rotary and were named Citizen of the year in March 2024 by the Tahoe Douglas Elks Lodge 2670.
“It’s one of the things we do to be a part of the community; serve,” said Remon.
Remon said Le Mere Lutz was a vision to bring home-grown food into the restaurant and community.
“It’s about quality over quantity,” said Remon. “We want to provide the community with a farm to table experience.”
Produce including tomatoes, zucchini, garlic, onions, and more will be grown on site at La Mere Lutz on 18 gardens, in green houses, and in the fields.
The couple’s mission is to continue the dedication they provide at Woodetts and in the community through exceptional catering services that exceed expectations with fresh and high quality ingredients.
They have plans to use their produce at Woodetts, sell in local stores with branded sauces, and more and elegant dining experiences, dinner parties, and tasting events will soon be available at La Mere Lutz.
“The plan is more things to experience and the hope to bring more people to the Valley,” said Remon.
La Mere Lutz currently offers French, Greek, Italian, and Lebanese cuisine and any kind of custom dishes.
“We will keep adding to the menu,” said Remon, “things you have never experienced in the Valley and a bit of French twist.”
Originally from Léon, France, Remon has a master’s in hotel management and 35 years of experience as a chef, including requests from President Bush, and working as a personal chef for a billionaire, said Remon.
La Mere Lutz is located at 500 Two Ranch Road in Minden. The land known as Fraas Ranch is owned by Stephan Fraas, which the Zamalis share living spaces with. Visit www.lamerelutz.com for more information.
