Emmanuel Macron announced on Sunday evening the creation of a "
center of excellence
" for French gastronomy, which should be based in the Lyon region, in order to defend and promote the professions of the mouth in international competitions.
"
I will agree with rugby fans and football fans, it is the Marcoussis of cooking and table professions, or the Clairefontaine of these professions,
" said Emmanuel Macron in front of some 200 guests of the “
Dinner of the Chefs
”, annual meeting of the most famous cooks and pastry chefs.
Read alsoChristian Constant slips away, taking away his legend
This "
training and excellence center for all culinary professions
" will aim to "
train to achieve excellence, train for major competitions and prepare the athletes that you are to win in the name of the colors of France.
", He added, suggesting that it could emerge in Lyon or its region,"
epicenter of this excellence
". This idea is part of the proposals made by Guillaume Gomez, the former chef of the Élysée Palace who in February became his “
personal representative
” in the service of “
French gastronomy
”.
In his speech, Emmanuel Macron thanked the chefs present - such as Anne-Sophie Pic, Alain Ducasse, Marc Veyrat, Pierre Gagnaire, Amandine Chaignot or Stéphanie Lequellec - "
for having held
" during the Covid-19 crisis despite the long months of closure of their establishments.
"
You have continued to innovate (...) Do not lose any of this spirit of conquest
" for gastronomy, which is "
at the heart of the art of being French
", he added, affirming that American and Asian tourists were going to "
come back
".
Read alsoA comic strip sketches the world of starred chefs
He will carry this message again by visiting Monday morning the 20th International Catering, Hotel and Food Trade Fair (Sirha), the major global meeting of the sector with 4,000 exhibitors.
