How did you start in the business?

As the grandson of farmers, I got my enthusiasm for fruit and vegetables from my grandfather, a fruit and vegetable wholesaler at the Les Halles wholesale market in Paris and from my father, Robert, the manager of a major wholesale distributor of fruit and vegetables in Rennes (35). However, I decided to become a cook when I was very young. I worked for some big places in France and abroad. Then I became really interested in culinary decorative arts, especially sculpture on fruit and vegetables, which I discovered in Thailand and developed in France in the 1990s. At the time, I had met the director of Interfel, with whom I set up the intertrade culinary committee, which resulted in Fraîch'Attitude and I set up culinary training workshops where I produced a large number of decors in fruit and vegetables. It was a turning point in my career and I put everything into fruit and vegetables until I created my company, Créasaveurs, in 2007.

How do you work?

The artistic approach gave me the means to work with the different professions in the sector so as to bring a touch of fantasy to young people and to be able to transmit an educational message through fruit and vegetables. I have also done many engagements in schools and at intertrade training courses. I work with about fifty clients a year, in France and abroad, who are manufacturers of food products, food industry agencies and groups, caterers, national or international hotel groups or operators in the fruit and vegetable wholesale trade. It involves consultancy on the products and new product lines, creating recipes, trade show decorations, making buffets, cocktails and other types of events, generally in terms of stage design and the use of fruit and vegetables. Fruit and vegetables are a source of flavours and well-being, as well as treasures in terms of shapes and colours. On average, this represents just over four tons of fruit and vegetables prepared per month. On the other hand, I work with several media from the trade and general press on fruit and vegetables. I like to share my knowledge and I'd like my work to inspire vocations.

What is the role of local trade?

Local trade contributes to the life of the city and it's the future. It has an important role to play if we know how to modernize it, particularly in terms of improving the image of the products. We have to show that we're not just vendors of fruit and vegetables. In fact, the "artistic" aspect can play a role, just like advice and information. Our business is not an easy one but it is evolving positively, like the MOF title which is an important sign of recognition. There is growing awareness in the profession and people of goodwill are shaking things up.

What do you think of Rungis Market ?

I buy 70% of my fruit and vegetables at Rungis and I am satisfied with it. This is a welcoming, friendly place, where you find know-how, top quality products and a very wide choice. I have a small reservation about the exotic products, some of which are too expensive, while others are lacking