Les Restos du Coeur is a French charity that was started over 30 years ago by the comedian and actor Coluche with the goal of helping to alleviate hunger in France. It helps to distribute warm meals to the homeless and to other low income individuals and has expanded its efforts more recently to assisting with housing and other aid to those in need. It is estimated that by the end of the 2018 calendar year, the organization will have provided 130 million meals.
Each year, a number (fifteen, this year) of well-known authors contribute to a book of short pieces and the book is sold as a fundraiser for the charity. One book purchased translates to four meals for those who need them. You can find the book at your local French bookshop or online (for example, on Amazon). You can also make a larger donation of money or time to the charity via the Restos du Coeur website.
Last month, I was lucky enough to attend the Restos du Coeur launch event for this year’s book, hosted by la REcyclerie in Paris’s 18th arr. A number of very talented chefs volunteered their services (and their creations!) for the event including chefs from:
One of the charity’s partners, Cook and Com, a gourmet event-planning agency, put together the wonderful video above memorializing the event.
