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All smiles, Amir* launches into the room with its minimalist and neat decoration, in shades of beige and brick, and explains to the customers the four cocktails on the menu. Behind the bar, Khalo* tries to hide his stress by wiping glasses without interruption. White shirt and black apron, waiters are busy taking orders, a chef and her clerks are bustling about in the kitchen, a butler gives advice to his team and slaloms between everyone to check that the service is running smoothly.
Nothing distinguishes the Marseille restaurant of Les Beaux Mets from another except that it is located between the walls of a prison. Before sitting down there, the client had to go through a security gate, leave his personal effects, from his mobile phone to his money, in the cloakroom and reserve a table online at least four days in advance, the time required for his criminal record is checked.
“At the beginning, it was a little hard, because you have to have a certain behavior towards customers, adopt a sustained language, but these are reflexes to learn. » Khalo*, 22 years old
Les Beaux Mets, which opens to the public on November 15, is the first French bistronomic restaurant located in the heart of a penitentiary centre. Here, that of Baumettes. Located near the Calanques National Park, the establishment will take place, more precisely, within the support structure towards the exit (SAS), formerly the women’s district. Inmates in the SAS are people sentenced to terms of less than two years or who have less than two years left to serve.
“I’m not very comfortable with customers, but rather with utensils, recognizes Khalo*, 22, for whom the restaurant industry is a real discovery. At the beginning, it was a little hard, because you have to have a certain behavior towards customers, adopt a sustained language, but these are reflexes to learn. » On the menu of the day, a “vegetal monochrome” composed of creamy pumpkin and pan-fried apricots, followed by a lamb crumble accompanied by Brussels sprouts. A brownie “all chocolate” comes to conclude a meal composed of three choices of starters, main courses and desserts, only made up of fresh and local products. The menu will change every month and a half.
Seats 42, alcohol prohibited
Les Beaux Mets has forty-two covers, only serves lunch for two courses, and alcohol is prohibited. The thirteen trained inmates who work there are divided into two brigades. They alternate between working days in the restaurant and others where they receive socio-professional support.
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