In a significant shift from fast food to haute cuisine, the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will serve high-end French culinary delights, featuring Michelin-starred chefs and a diverse menu catering to athletes’ preferences.
In an ambitious shift from fast food to haute cuisine, the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris are transforming the dining experience within the athletes’ village, with a focus on high-end French culinary delights. This year, organisers are trading in the fast food staples of previous Olympics for offerings inspired by Michelin-starred chefs, reflecting the food-conscious culture of the host nation.
Leading the culinary revolution are renowned chefs Amandine Chaignot, Alexandre Mazzia, and Akrame Benallal, who bring their expertise and prestigious accolades to the dining tables of the world’s top athletes. The intent is to elevate the dining experience far beyond the typical options seen in past Games, such as the London 2012 Olympics, where McDonald’s was a significant player, providing one in five meals to athletes. This partnership with the fast-food giant has since expired, paving the way for fancier fare.
Philipp Würz, head of food and beverages for the Paris Games, explained the new strategy: “One very specific French feature that we have set up at the main village, also close to the bakery, is our Michelin-starred chef kitchen. Twice per day, athletes can discover very high-level, high-profile French cuisine cooked on site by our Michelin star chefs. We have four of them, and they all do eight recipes, offering a nice rotation that has become a very popular spot.”
The French chefs’ corner is conveniently located next to a boulangerie, which notably produces 480 metres of baguettes daily, amounting to 6 kilometres over the course of the Olympics and Paralympics. This setup is designed to offer athletes a comprehensive taste of French culinary culture, combining the traditional with the sophisticated.
Despite the significant overhaul and the gourmet offerings, some contingents, like Team GB, have specific traditional requests. The British team has insisted that porridge—a staple breakfast for many—remains on the menu. Similarly, other nations have requested their comfort foods: kimchi for Koreans, sticky rice for the Chinese delegation, and skewers for the Japanese contingent.
The diversity in cuisine also caters to the varied dietary preferences of different sports. For instance, beach volleyball and taekwondo teams favour cold meats, sandwiches, and salads, while rowing teams opt for hot buffets. Meanwhile, badminton teams, predominantly from Asia, prefer avoiding bread, sticking to their customary diets.
The approach underscores the importance of catering to the athletes’ needs while exposing them to the renowned French culinary tradition. Würz highlighted, “The athletes are coming into the biggest restaurant in the world. They are amazed by both the architectural setup of the main dining hall and the quality of the recipes and food offered. We tried to come up with a very specific plan with French know-how, the savoir-faire of French cuisine, which of course, has a reputation all over the planet.”
As Paris prepares to host the world’s greatest athletes, it is clear that the 2024 Olympic Games will not only be a feast for sports enthusiasts but also a celebration of culinary excellence, with top-tier dining experiences that reflect the event’s prestigious nature.