Next October, the prison of Les Baumettes will welcome for the first time a restaurant open to the public in its enclosure: the “Beaux Mets”. It will be maintained by inmates.
Reserving a table at a restaurant inside a prison will soon be possible. In Marseille, the Baumettes are preparing to welcome the “Beaux Mets” for the first time, relays 20 Minutes. Organized with the Festin association, the restaurant aims to help prisoners reintegrate into the world of work. “Cooking allows people to be valued”, rejoices Armand Hurault, director of the association.
Open to the public from Monday to Friday, next October, the establishment will include two lunchtime services and places will be limited. 44 people will be able to enjoy the tables of the restaurant maintained by around forty prisoners. The latter will be able to occupy positions in the dishwasher, in the service or in the kitchen, specifies the newspaper.
They will be supervised by three catering professionals, including chef Sandrine Sollier. She worked for the restaurant Gérald Passedat. A professional integration counselor will also be present.
“Deconstructing the image that civil society may have of detainees”
Dishes from Mediterranean cuisine using fresh produce will be concocted. “We are planning a lot of fish in particular, underlines Sandrine Sollier with 20 Minutes. Working fine fish allows you to learn patience, “she explains.
“We want to deconstruct the image that civil society may have of detainees. A detained person can evolve and the objective that we have is that he finds a place in society upon release”, explains to the newspaper, Christine Charbonnier, secretary general of the interregional management of prison services in Marseille.
However, the restaurant will only be accessible to adults if certain conditions are met. Clients will have to present their identity document and criminal record to the penitentiary centre. They will have the obligation to follow rules established in the prison. Mobile phones will be left at the reception for security reasons and alcohol will also be prohibited.
