Alone we go faster, together we go further

I was inspired by cooking from a very young age. I grew up around my family restaurant where the sweet scents of spices were mixed and my family shared their love, joy and knowledge of cooking. It is this experience which made me want to follow a culinary path.

Using my culinary skills to support those in need

I went to hotel school and then to culinary design training. I joined Sodexo France as a chef in 2018. During my time with Sodexo, I’m proud to have progressed to Head Chef then to Site Manager.

I was initially drawn to join Sodexo because of the way the company has and continues to evolve and adapt over the years as the world changes. Sodexo’s commitments to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) continue to resonate incredibly strongly with me. I’m also proud that I’ve been able to play a role in supporting my local community, as a volunteer for Stop Hunger. As the company’s unique philanthropic cause, Stop Hunger partners with local charities to find solutions to end hunger and food insecurity. 

For the last 15 years, I have been using my expertise as a restauranteur to support an excellent cause as a volunteer and member of the board of directors of the “La Manne” charity in Colmar in Alsace, as well as volunteering with the Red Cross and taking part in Stop Hunger activities..

I see the growing impoverishment of the population around me, pushing vulnerable people into a trade-off between food and health. I believe it is our responsibility, individuals and companies, all those involved in food distribution, to do something to support the communities around us. We all have the power to change our behaviour, raise awareness of consumption habits and use our knowledge, skills and experience for the greater good. I’m proud that Sodexo aims to positively impact the social, environmental and economic development of local communities and that my managers have supported my volunteering activities.

I’ve devoted all of my Saturdays to this cause, without exception, for 15 years. For me volunteering for “La Manne” is an extraordinary adventure, all about people, and it’s given me the courage to no longer just be a spectator to what’s going on around me, but to act for a better world.

Acting for a better world

“La Manne” supports local people with food parcels, serves meals in hotels and a social café and supports ex-offenders through rehabilitation. In 2021 alone:

• 2,500 households were provided with food parcels, (that’s 6,000 people, including 2,000 children under 14)
• 34,000 meals were served in hostels and the social restaurant
• 60 ex-offenders were supported through rehabilitation

My role at “La Manne” is to collect surplus food from La Manne’s partners (supermarkets, grocery stores, local producers, food banks). I also set up systems, carry out audits, write reports and deliver training for staff in the social restaurant. In the last year alone, we’ve collected around 300 tonnes of food.

It is thanks to the support of my managers and Sodexo clients that I’ve been able to continue volunteering over the years. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

I would like to end with a famous African quote:

"Alone we go faster, together we go further..."

What we experience with others is much more important than to succeed alone!

Find out more about... a career with Sodexo!

This article was created by Thien Dao, Site manager, Sodexo France