This fall, twelve Ukrainian apprentices will be trained in Toulouse by the renowned Michelin-starred chef Thierry Marx as part of an exceptional Franco-Ukrainian initiative: the creation of “La Cantine de Marioupol” in Dnipro. This cultural and community space will welcome displaced residents of Mariupol, forced to flee after the Russian aggression in March 2022.

“Since the beginning of the war, it seemed essential for us to support the Ukrainian people. We will focus on the professional training of participants who will manage the dining space of La Cantine de Marioupol. It will be a place of sharing, as well as a hub for training and integration. We hope the war ends quickly so that the individuals we train can thrive in their new roles.”
– Thierry Marx

👩‍🍳 Thanks to Thierry Marx’s Cuisine Mode d’Emploi(s) network of schools, founded in 2012, these Ukrainians will learn the basics of cooking and restaurant operations. After completing their training, they will return to Dnipro to manage this unique venue. Thierry Marx will later visit the site to support their work.

📍 Vadym Boichenko, Mayor of Mariupol, during the inauguration of the first building on the future site of La Cantine de Marioupol on Tuesday, June 4, 2024.

🏠 La Cantine de Marioupol, spearheaded by Stand With Ukraine, is part of a large-scale project to renovate former student housing in Dnipro, transforming it into accommodation for temporarily displaced residents from Mariupol. The interior design was developed in collaboration with Martin Duplantier Architectes.

This 15,000 m² space will house 380 displaced families and feature various facilities, including housing units, coworking spaces, an educational garden, a pétanque court, a screening room that doubles as a bomb shelter, and a restaurant operated by apprentices trained by Thierry Marx.

🌿 Conceived during the University of the City of Tomorrow in 2023, this ambitious project aims to create a genuine place of community and resilience for survivors of Mariupol, blending elements of French culture into the heart of Ukraine.

Read the full article by Cyril Petit in Ouest-France.