At the end of 2016, the opening of the Flore Lelièvre restaurant in Nantes (Loire-Atlantique) and its "six extraordinary employees" had caused a buzz. He was in fact the first in France to hire people with Down syndrome (Down's syndrome) in the dining room and in the kitchen. "I wanted to create employment in an ordinary environment for people with disabilities and provoke a meeting with an ordinary public," explains the 29-year-old founder. Catering is conducive to this. "Also good for people with Down's syndrome." With them, customer contact is great, continues the one whose big brother suffers from this syndrome himself. They are spontaneous, smiling and so happy to show that they can serve! "
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To work in the best conditions, in addition to managers and catering professionals - 5 in total - you needed a suitable place and a light rhythm: 20 hours per week, not two services in a row, rather simmered dishes… "To make them autonomous in taking orders and to overcome the difficulties of reading and memorizing, it is the customer who stamps his dishes on a sheet", underlines Flore Lelièvre. Pictograms, colors, task table and ergonomic crockery were also designed by this trained interior designer.
With the success of its first establishment crowned with a 90% occupancy rate, a second, also 38 people, was born in Paris in October, in the Marais (III). Almost like in Nantes, 12 people including 8 people with Down syndrome animate it. However, neither the chef nor the restaurant manager are specialized educators. “They don't need it. They have sufficient sensitivity, patience and pedagogy to work with these extraordinary employees, ”insists Flore Lelièvre.
All in CDI
None of the adults with disabilities were trained in cooking. It was not until their CDI signed that they learned. An association, founded by the entrepreneur in parallel, plans to launch training in cooking to allow other disabled people to work.
The 15 “extraordinary” employees are on permanent contracts and paid “a little more than the minimum wage”, a third of which is covered by Agefiph. Maxime is in the team. He, who started talking at 11, dreamed of being a waiter. "He is so talkative that by being in contact with customers, his speaking skills are incredible! "Says the boss.
With the Covid-19, Le Reflet has temporarily closed. To maintain the bond, the supervisors multiplied the exchanges and created games around the kitchen. Only the Nantes restaurant has reopened, with limited staff. In Paris, it will be June 22. The treasury has melted and a new fundraiser is planned. For its part, the association remains active to encourage entrepreneurs to employ people with Down's syndrome in ordinary settings.
