“L’Atout Cœur is a restaurant in Annecy (…) where all the servers have a little something extra. Today, they are going through a complicated period. We need to help them.” This message broadcast on social networks is signed Artus. The actor and director was touched by the situation of the Annecy establishment. And he’s not the only one. Comedian Jarry also relayed L’Atout Cœur’s call for help. If the restaurant does not find quickly a new chefthe great adventure of this inclusive place where young adults with disabilities are employed and trained could end there.
Looking for a new chef
Open since November 2022, L’Atout Cœur is the only handi-responsible restaurant in the Annecy region. Today, seven young adults affected by cognitive disorders work there. Pierre takes care of welcoming customers and providing service. Aged 19, this job is essential for him. “This allows him to be like everyone else with a job and a salaryexplains his mother who is also a member of the L’Atout Cœur association. Disability tends to lead to isolation. With the restaurant, Pierre sees people and his colleagues have become his friends.”
An online prize pool
But for several months, the restaurant located in the city center has struggled to retain a chef, an essential position for the supervision and training of young employees with disabilities. “Without this leader, we had to close for five weeks and the association had to take 50,000 euros from its treasury”explains Emeline Brebion of the L’Atout-Cœur association. “We opened an online prize pool and we are doing everything to find a new leader.”
Artus, Jarry… but also great chefs like Yoann Conte and Édouard Loubet provide their support to Atout Cœur. This Friday evening, chef Aurélie Collomb-Clerc, best pastry chef of the Grandes Tables du Monde in 2022, will be behind the stove for a special evening where the price of the meal and donations will be entirely donated to Atout Cœur.
To make a donation to L’Atout Coeur, Click here.
