As the world prepares for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, chefs play a crucial role in ensuring that athletes, officials, and guests are well-fed with nutritious, high-quality meals. Among them is Olivier Padovan, a lead chef responsible for managing the preparation of over 40,000 meals per day in the Cité du Cinéma cafeteria, which caters to Olympic athletes and VIP guests.
Padovan’s days start before dawn, working in the kitchens of Lenôtre, a Sodexo subsidiary, where his team focuses on crafting a menu that is 60% vegetarian to align with the event’s sustainability goals. Preparing everything from carefully curated vegetable dishes to international cuisine, his work exemplifies the meticulous planning required to feed thousands efficiently.
The fast-paced, high-pressure environment of the Olympic kitchens mirrors the discipline of the athletes themselves. With over 400 additional kitchen staff brought in for the games, the operation is a logistical feat requiring precision and teamwork.
Despite the challenges, Padovan finds pride in his role, knowing that his culinary expertise is fueling some of the world’s greatest athletes. His journey reflects the often unseen but essential work that goes into making global sporting events a success. (www.lemonde.fr)
