Winny Monaco, creator of the Winnynaise and star of the small screen
Originally from Belgium, Winny Suffys-Wathelet, alias Winny Monaco, multiplies experiences and challenges in the Principality.
Once upon a time, there was a young Belgian hairdresser named Winny, who eventually rose to fame in Monaco… but not for her ability to wield a comb and a chisel! Established for eleven years in the Principality, Winny has made a name for herself thanks to her appearances in television shows, but also and above all thanks to her unique creation: the Winnynaise. A look back at the extraordinary journey of a woman who has never hesitated to take her chance!
From hairdressing to television
After more than 25 years at the head of her hairdressing salon in Belgium, it is under sunny Monaco that Winny finally decided to live, to join her husband, television producer for the company CIS. There was no question, however, for Winny to stand idly by: ” i wanted to do something, she confides. So I managed the little shop downstairs from us, at Larvotto. ”
At the time, far from the hairdressing world, Winny took care of “Karen Millen” twice a week: a women’s ready-to-wear boutique. ” It’s something I had always wanted to do: dress the women, the advisers. At the same time, I was helping my husband at the office with his files. “
But with the health crisis, the store is closing its doors and only exists online. Another adventure presents itself in the meantime: in 2018, the young woman was approached by the M6 channel to participate in the famous culinary show “An almost perfect dinner”, in an edition 100% devoted to the Principality.
” I was not very enthusiastic at first, I saw how the candidates fit into each other during the show, recalls Winny. But my husband and I did discuss it with the producers of M6, who told us that they would be very careful and that a famous personality would participate. ”
And the celebrity in question was none other than Daniel Ducruet, former husband of Princess Stéphanie. It was he who also won the culinary competition and for Winny, a great admirer of the princess in her adolescence, this meeting was a small step closer to her idol. But she was far from suspecting that her participation in the show would give new impetus to her professional life.
READ ALSO: A Monegasque launches her own TV show in the United States
The creation of the Winnynaise
It is during her competition day, on the theme of Belgium, of course, that Winny offers her guests her own version of mayonnaise, in a low-fat recipe, with -30% fat. The sauce is a real success and the participants in the show spontaneously give it the name of “Winnynaise”.
I sent a tube to the Prince’s Palace (…) They ate it all week!
During confinement, Winny decides to market her recipe, made in Belgium and sold in certain shops in Monaco, in particular at the Petit Casino on Boulevard d’Italie. Restaurants in the Principality also accept the use of Winnynaise in their dishes, such as Miami Plage, Arrow Burger or Malizia Bar, which also offer a “Winny Bagel”.
The icing on the cake, the Prince’s Palace even tasted it: “ I sent a hit to the Palace and received a letter three days later, telling me that they liked it. I also heard from a person who works there that they had been eating it all week! We feel that in Monaco, they want to help, they are proud when we succeed! “
READ ALSO: Julien Bravetti, the new face of “Chez Roger”
Encourage young people
On the strength of this first televised experience, Winny agreed to take part in other programs, such as the Belgian version of “Reines du Shopping”, shot in Monaco, which she won. ” It reminded me of an old hidden dream, says Winny. Have my own show to dress up people on a budget. Show that you don’t have to go to big name brand stores to look good. “
While waiting to highlight women, it is the Principality that Winny likes to promote. With her participation in the “Monacovrowen” program, which followed four Belgian residents in their daily lives, Winny wanted to highlight local institutions, such as Monte-Carlo Bay or Club 39.
Also very active on social networks, Winny Monaco now has more than 6,000 followers on Instagram. The young woman poses alongside Artur, her one-and-a-half-year-old Pomeranian loulou, who also has 500 subscribers on the platform. ” I want to show young people that you have to dare. I started out as a hairdresser and I have developed a lot of things in my life. I never thought that one day I would have my head on a jar of mayonnaise. Everything is possible in life, but you have to believe in it »Assures Winny.
This theme should also soon be exploited in a new program produced by the British channel BBC Two, which has already shot a pilot to present Winny Monaco and his extraordinary journey.
READ ALSO: Mikaël Barelaud-Eludut, artist and graphic designer validated by Kylian Mbappé