"Kay El'lem": Sonata for piccolo and piano

Jan Huylebroeck: Sonata for piccolo and piano "Kay El'lem" was written in 2006 and dedicated to the Belgian piccolo player and professor Peter Verhoyen, who commissioned the work in 2006 for his students at the Antwerp Conservatory.
The name "Kay El'lem" is highly unusual, and its exact meaning or inspiration is not widely publicized. It is likely a personal reference, a phonetic spelling of a name, or potentially related to a specific cultural context that has not been made public.
However, the movement titles: 1. Arugula, 2. Burrito, and 3. Enchilada clearly points to a humorous, food-related context, specifically referencing Mexican cuisine and perhaps a restaurant.
1. Arugula: A light, slightly peppery green vegetable.
2. Burrito: A hearty, substantial Mexican dish.
3. Enchilada: A baked dish, often topped with sauce and cheese.
This use of playful, modern titles for a multi-movement classical piece is a common practice among contemporary composers to inject personality and humor into their work, distinguishing it from traditional "Allegro," "Adagio," and "Rondo" structures.

The context of this piece most likely suggests that the composer and commissioner had a shared, humorous affinity for Mexican food, which they decided to use as a lighthearted set of titles for a serious piece of music.