Among those most affected by the health crisis and its restrictions are the caterers specializing in events, who have been at a standstill or almost for 10 months and are struggling to find alternative solutions. State of play with Patrick Knecht, director of La Fine Fourchette in Grenoble
Established since the 1950s in Grenoble, the caterer La Fine Fourchette testifies on France Bleu Isère of the difficulties that can affect this profession, particularly when it achieves 100% of its turnover thanks to events.
The results are no surprises. “We’ve been in a catastrophic situation for 10 months, explains Patrick Knecht, director of La Fine Fourchette, that is to say that our profession is completely forgotten in relation to the measures put in place to try to survive. We have lost everything that is a professional event, which represents 80% of our turnover, and also everything that is weddings“. And it’s not a slight rebound this summer.”of people who absolutely wanted to get married“which made it possible to raise the bar since it was anyway with fewer people and accompanied by drastic health protocols.
A significant lack of visibility
So La Fine Fourchette like others is trying to save the furniture: “We have a small part of the over-the-counter meal tray catering business but it is a tiny part of our turnover“. According to Patrick Knecht”above all, it allows us to maintain the link with a clientele and the link with our staff (12 employees all in partial activity since the first confinement). It is important that the staff can return from time to time “at home”, that is to say in the company. It’s important that he can keep a social bond […] I try to make people turn so that they can take turns to come “. La Fine Fourchette, which on the other hand no longer uses its many “extras” during the holidays and since March. “These people are the forgotten of the measures put in place: they no longer have a job and I have no idea how it will be for them“. In a general way”currently we have no visibility“, explains Patrick Knecht,”we do not know at all how we will respond in the years to come. We have to reinvent ourselves, find solutions so that we go beyond this crisis and that we can move on“. But it is not easy.”I am very worried about our event professions“concluded the director of La Fine Fourchette.
–
