For the third consecutive year, the “Grand Charity Picnic” is being held this Sunday, organized notably by “Harley du Cœur” and “Toques Brûlées” at the Cimiez Gardens.
The concept is simple and accessible to all: for the donation of a new toy for hospitalized children, a meal is offered. The dishes are prepared by a team of professional chefs and volunteers, led by the Nice chef David Faure.
A red carpet accompanied by two Harley Tri Glides, unanimously appreciated, announce the entrance of this Sunday gathering.
This corner of Cimiez Arena Park is revamped for the occasion. Motorcycles and cooking are the themes addressed in favor of a charitable cause: collecting toys for children hospitalized in Nice. “50 volunteers are working with us,” says Angélique Alasta, co-organizer of the day.
The event is increasingly successful this year and boasts flattering and driving sponsorships from chefs and associations like Joël Robuchon, Guillaume Gomez, the association of the Cooks of the Republic, and the Toques Françaises.
At 11 a.m., about sixty people are present among the stands, not counting the surrounding areas. “A third of the meal trays have already been sold; we are expecting a total of 600 to 800 people,” Angélique proudly notes. Everyone is busy with tasks, some are grating radishes, others are slicing tomatoes, and amid tunes from Johnny and AC-DC, chef David Faure sets the mood and motivates everyone.
Beyond cooking, about ten other stands have been set up. Between face painting and drawings, a healthcare staff is collecting donations for pediatric medicine and members of the Brotherhood of Thiers showcase their knife-making skills.
The day is methodically organized. On the agenda is a giant picnic featuring pan-bagnats, accompanied by chicken marinated in coconut milk and its barbecued potatoes. President Claude Abejan comments, “Everything’s going smoothly!”
The only problem is that chairs have disappeared, and the crowd has already started to queue. No matter, the meal proceeds between musical atmospheres and speeches from the organizers.
Then the afternoon revolves around activities for young and old alike, photo sessions on the famous Harley-Davidsons, and a closing concert offered by the Nice Harmony Orchestra.
Thibault Bourru
