Approximately 40,000 meals will be provided each day during the tournament to more than 15,000 athletes from 200 countries.
PARIS, France — Meals served to athletes and visitors during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will include fresh bread, a selection of cheeses and a wide range of vegetables. Of course, this includes gourmet dishes prepared by famous French chefs.
The Olympic Village will provide approximately 40,000 meals each day during the Games to more than 15,000 athletes from 200 countries.
Special snacks will also be available at each venue.
Sodexo Live!, the French food service company chosen to oversee the catering for the Olympic Village and 14 venues at the Paris Games, has announced that it has created a total of 500 recipes. The village was to host up to 3,500 athletes and become the “world's largest restaurant.”
Nathalie Veron-Szabo, global CEO of Sodexo Live!, said that “of course there will be some athlete staples, such as pasta,” but that the dishes will have “a very French feel. It is said that “touch” will be added.
Players will also have access to 'grab and go' stalls, including one dedicated to French food prepared by chefs.
Renowned French chef Amandine Chaignot, who runs a restaurant and café-bistro in Paris, on Tuesday shared one of her recipes based on the iconic croissant.
“I wanted the recipe I proposed to be representative of French terroir, but I also wanted it to be enjoyed by athletes,” she told The Associated Press. “It was very obvious to me to make a croissant that could be twisted. Add artichoke puree, poached egg, truffles and a dollop of cheese. It's vegetarian, yet mouth-watering.”
During the 11th edition, top chefs, including some Michelin-starred athletes, will be cooking in front of the athletes in the Olympic Village every day from July 26 to August. So is our culture,” Chenault said.
Daily specials include a wide range of salads, pastas, grilled meats and soups. Cheeses include top-quality camembert, brie and Ossau Illati, a sheep's milk-based cheese from southwestern France.
The Olympic Village will also feature a boulangerie producing fresh baguettes and a variety of other breads.
“The idea is to give the athletes the opportunity to have a piping hot baguette for breakfast,” said Tony Dore, a baker who works in the Olympic Village's main restaurant.
Athletes with interests outside of sports can also participate in daily baking training or learn how to make their own French baguettes, Dore said.
To provide as many choices as possible, the meals served will revolve around four cuisines: French, Asian, African, Caribbean and International.
Organizers of the Paris 2024 Games have pledged to make the Games more sustainable and environmentally friendly, including efforts to reduce the use of plastic. For this reason, the village's main restaurant will only use reusable tableware.
Additionally, organizers say all meals will be made with seasonal ingredients and 80% will be from France.
Philippe Würz, head of food and beverage at the Paris 2024 Committee, said plant-based foods, including “vegetarian hot dogs”, would make up 60% of the offerings for attendees.
“We have a huge amount of plant-based recipes out there that we hope the public can try, experience and love,” Wurz said.
For the first time in the history of the Games, 100% vegetarian food will be served to attendees in the city park on Place de la Concorde in central Paris. This location will be the stage for the most modern sporting disciplines of Paris 2024, including BMX freestyle, 3×3 basketball, skateboarding and breakdancing.
Associated Press journalist Nicholas Garriga contributed to this report.
