The beginning of the Journey to create an inclusive restaurant space in Reims

By 2019, the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle are now becoming clearer, the incredible project of creating an inclusive restaurant in the heart of Reims is becoming a reality. Month by month, the team is falling into place, bringing together people with a wide range of skills. To build the project into a live business that can start to offer employment to people with mental and cognitive disabilities, an amicable association ‘Amis du RB22’ was established in February 2020.
The following milestones were achieved in quick succession:
- April 2021: The 3-starred Michelin Chef at ‘L’Assiette Champenoise,’ Chef Arnaud Lallement becomes the project’s patron.
- June 2021: The creation of the limited company, ‘ExtrA’ was finalised with the association ‘Amis du RB22″ as a majority shareholder.
- July 2021: The successful purchase of the restaurant premises at the Boulingrin district in Reims.
- October 2021: Marked the start of a nine-month training course held by ‘Greta de la Marne’ which led to a full certification for the entire ‘ExtrA’ team in cooking and service:
- September 2021: Submission of planning permission.
- June 2022: Recruitment of chef Philippe Joly and completion of training for the selected team. Opening of the “Pop up” restaurant on rue du Barbâtre, due to delays in refurbishment.
December 2022: The pop-up restaurant closes and the slogan for the ExtrA restaurant is finalised; “Goûtez la Gastronomie Autrement,” “Discover French Gastronomy in a new way.”
- March 2023: Hiring of pastry chef, François-Xavier Cormarie.
- April 2023: The moving month! We could finally move to ExtrA and sign the final contracts of employment.
- May 2023: Official opening on 4 May.
- October 2023: A proud moment when restaurant L’ExtrA features in the Michelin guide.
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