Paris' Olympic Village Hosts World's Largest Restaurant in a 700-Foot-Long Power Plant

The Olympic Village in Paris will host the world's largest restaurant, a 700-foot-long former power plant, serving 45,000 meals a day to 15,000 athletes during the Olympic Games and Paralympics in July. This unique dining hall will prioritize environmental sustainability and cater to the nutritional needs of athletes by offering a variety of vegetarian options.

The restaurant, located in the heart of the village, will serve 500 different dishes, including vegetarian hot dogs, quinoa muesli, vegetarian shawarma, and za'atar-spiced sweet potatoes. Traditional French dishes like blanquette of veal will also be available, albeit with a lighter sauce to align with the athletes' dietary requirements.

In a significant shift from classic French cuisine, the chefs Stéphane Chicheri and Charles Guilloy have designed a menu that focuses on vegetable protein to reduce the carbon footprint. As Charles Guilloy noted, "Vegetable protein is the thing, and of course, athletes have to perform."

The restaurant will not serve French fries or foie gras, as a result of fire risks associated with deep-fat fryers and ethical concerns over animal treatment, respectively. Additionally, avocados will be omitted from the menu because of their environmental impact.

Sustainability is a key focus for the organizers, who aim to reduce the restaurant's carbon footprint by 50% compared to previous Olympics. No disposable plates or cutlery will be used, and ingredients will be sourced locally, with 80% coming from France and 25% from within 155 miles of Paris.

The French government has launched a multimillion-dollar initiative to promote French gastronomy and appeal, targeting young chefs and innovative dishes in international markets such as South Korea, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Olivia Grégoire, the minister for tourism, emphasized, "Food is French soft power. It is also hard money."

Despite the focus on sustainability and vegetarian options, traditional French elements will still be present. Baguettes and French cheeses will be available, and three top chefs will showcase modern, multicultural takes on classic French dishes during the Games.

The Paris Olympic Village restaurant represents a bold step in redefining France's culinary image, balancing the demands of environmental sustainability with the nutritional needs of athletes. As Alain Ducasse, a celebrated French chef, stated, "The finest gastronomy is in our DNA, it's a reference for all students of haute cuisine."

Key Takeaways

• The Paris Olympic Village will feature the world's largest restaurant, serving 45,000 meals daily.
• The menu will prioritize vegetarian options, with 500 dishes including veggie hot dogs and quinoa muesli.
• French fries and foie gras are off the menu due to fire risks and ethical concerns.
• The restaurant aims to reduce its carbon footprint by 50% through sustainable practices.
• Traditional French elements, like baguettes and cheese, will still be available alongside modern twists.