Student lunch basket illustration – Martin BUREAU / AFP
- The association which works in favor of children in difficulty, has decided to address the students.
- Each week, it will offer between 50 and 100 meals prepared by starred chefs, first in Bordeaux, then in Lyon and Paris.
- Stéphane Carrade, two stars, will be the first to offer his meals, to be picked up from Saturday at the Public Garden.
Between 50 and 100 meals prepared by starred chefs, distributed free of charge every week to Bordeaux students. It is the initiative of
the Maison Valentin de Lamotte association, which usually carries out voluntary work for children in vulnerable situations. The operation starts this Saturday, with 80 meals concocted by Stéphane Carrade, two-star chef of the Skiff Club [restaurant de
l’hôtel Ha(a)ïtza au Pyla-sur-Mer]. The distribution will be made by click and collect on the terrace of the restaurant l’Orangerie, in the public garden in Bordeaux.
The initiative is largely funded by a private sponsor. “But a whole chain of solidarity has been set up, with chefs who offer their services, farmers or traders who offer products, such as truffles and chocolate for this Saturday”, explains Laurence Lorenzo. , founder of the Maison Valentin de Lamotte association. After Stéphane Carrade, Nicolas Masse (two stars at Sources de Caudalie), Thierry Renoux (one star at the Patio), François Sauvêtre (one star at L’oiseau Bleu), or even the team of candidates of the Top Chef show.
Looking forward to a lasting place
The association based in Versailles (Yvelines) had already offered during the first confinement starred meals for caregivers. “For this third confinement, we decided to contact the students, after seeing a report on a student who had attempted suicide,” explains Laurence Lorenzo. I then got closer to several students who told me about their daily difficulties, particularly financial, or concerning their isolation, and I decided to offer them starred meals, in Lyon, Bordeaux and Paris, starting with Bordeaux. . “
“The calendar will adapt to the evolution of the situation,” she continues, “and the distribution will take place at a different place each week, while waiting for a permanent place that the metropolis should provide us”. Depending on the location, the dishes will be prepared on site, or at a caterer and delivered to the distribution location. The association initially wanted to carry out this operation through a food truck, positioned in a strategic place in Bordeaux. But she did not succeed in reaching an agreement with the town hall of Bordeaux.
Between 50 and 100 students selected each week
“We would also be delighted to occupy the Crous restaurant located at 98 quai des Chartrons, which has closed its doors,” adds Laurence Lorenzo. We could thus offer free meals until September, because there are still many students every day there, who have to return to the city to eat. “
In the meantime, to benefit from the meals of the starred chefs, students must register each week on the Instagram account @ collabforstudents and on the website platform. www.collabforstudents.com, indicating the name of their school. “Then we choose between 50 and 100 each week, and send them an invitation by email. “