To support UNICEF in the face of humanitarian emergencies, the Childhood Memories solidarity cooking festival will take place from November 26 to December 1, 2024 in Marseille, for the benefit of the UNICEF emergency fund. This festival is of particular importance in a tense humanitarian context, where every action counts. It also coincides with the 60th anniversary of UNICEF France.
A collective and united operation
The Childhood Memories festival is imagined by the very young ÉBULLITION associationalready intervened at the time of the earthquake in Morocco. The association aims to create solidarity events with chefs.
The operation is carried out entirely voluntarily in collaboration with UNICEF FRANCE, the FOODING media, the ECOTABLE label, the DURALEX dresser & the design publisher FATBOY.
For a week, around twenty Marseille restaurants will offer an ephemeral Childhood Memories dish on the menu and will donate a percentage of the revenue generated by the sale of this unique dish to UNICEF.
In addition, the festival will offer integration structures training young apprentices in the hotel and catering industry with the festival organizing team and the kitchen brigades. A time to share, exchange and learn with chefs.
An opening dinner on November 26
A dinner for 300 guests at La Friche
The five-step menu, created by five Marseille chefs, will be inspired by their childhood memories. The chefs’ memories will be projected on the big screen, then served at the table. The evening will be accompanied by a live performance by the artist Tallisker and testimonies from UNICEF humanitarians.
The participating chefs
- Michel Portos : godfather of the festival, two-star Marseille chef and elected chef of the year in 2012 by Gault et Millau, he highlights local products and Mediterranean gastronomy. Today, he advises many restaurants around the world.
- Hugues Mbenda : originally from Congo, voted most promising talent of the year by The List, recognized by the Michelin guide and Gault & Millau. With his partner Mathilde, he created the LIBALA restaurant in Marseille, a fusion brasserie which becomes KIN at night, a gastronomic establishment.
- Schehrezade Alfonso : children of Venezuelan farmers, Alexis and Shéhrézade decided to launch the 100% plant-based restaurant: Mariposas. The chef offers intuitive cuisine centered on vegetables.
- Sweet Lemon : originally from Tahiti, Maimiti cut her teeth in starred restaurants in Paris, then she settled in Marseille with her partner Margaux to create the café-pastry shop Te miti (The sea, in Polynesian). For Childhood Memories, she imagines a large dessert to share.
- A final chef is being selected.
The presence of the artist Tallisker
Tallisker, offers a unique style that fuses elements of pop, electro and oriental influences, which has earned him recognition on the international scene with titles like Blind et Cocagne. A former classical cellist, she now explores modern sounds while integrating baroque and techno elements. His first album, Counterpointsreflects this musical diversity, notably with significant collaborations in Iran.
Practical information
- Tuesday November 26, 2024
- Aux Grandes Tables de la Friche, 41 Rue Jobin, 13003 Marseille
- 100% of the profits from the evening will be donated to the UNICEF emergency fund
- Free price with a minimum of 60 euros per person – Table for 10 people from 1000 euros
- Online ticketing
Full program soon to be revealed
For a whole week, from November 26 to December 1, 2024in Marseille, the Childhood Memories festival invites chefs to integrate a special dish inspired by a childhood memory to their usual menus. The selection, including establishments from the Fooding guide and the Ecotable label, will bring together neighborhood bistros as well as starred restaurants, by showcasing world cuisine with the representation of around thirty countries : Ethiopia, the United Kingdom, Colombia, Italy, Congo, Tahiti…
« It has always been in the DNA of Fooding to get involved with causes that are dear to us. After launching Fooding Kids at the beginning of 2024, it seemed only natural to us to support the Childhood Memories Festival for the UNICEF emergency fund, and we are delighted to see establishments referenced in the guide following and supporting the movement as well! » says Alexandre Coing, co-director of Fooding.
Throughout the duration of the festival, it will also be possible to pay additional donations directly to Unicef and benefit from a tax credit of 75% on the amount paid.
A humanitarian context under tension
UNICEF responded in 2023 to 412 emergency situations across 107 countries. In Ukraine, it provided support to 1.5 million children through childcare facilities. Currently in Gaza, the organization continues to provide access to essential services for victims.
► Learn more about the UNICEF emergency fund
© Poster credit: Inès Pagniez & Annabelle Sapy
