Chef Alexandre Mazzia to carry the Olympic flame in Marseille

Mathilde Bourge | 1/17/24, 4:02 PM

Alexandre Mazzia, chef at the AM restaurant in Marseille, has been selected as one of the Bouches-du-Rhône Olympic torchbearers. A symbolic honor for the chef, himself a former professional basketball player.

It's a crowning achievement for the former professional basketball player. Alexandre Mazzia, chef at the AM restaurant (5 toques) in Marseille, has been chosen to carry the Olympic flame in the Bouches-du-Rhône region. The flame will arrive in Marseille on May 8, 2024, transported from Olympia by the legendary Belem.

After crossing the Mediterranean, the flame will criss-cross France, carried by 10,000 scouts, from famous athletes to anonymous people, partners or, as here, personalities from other sectors recognized in France. "Carrying the Olympic flame is not just an individual honor, it's a privilege shared with all those who have contributed to my training. It's a tribute to the teachings of elders, the sacrifices of mentors, and the trust my community has placed in me," Alexandre Mazzia reacted on his social networks.

"The 200 meters ahead of me are not simply a distance to be covered, but a symbolic journey through the values that make the Olympic Games an extraordinary journey. Each of these meters represents the perseverance, discipline and dedication needed to achieve athletic excellence," he added on his Instagram page.

Alexandre Mazzia and the Olympic Games

Carrying the flame is not the only role assigned to Alexandre Mazzia at these Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The Marseille-based chef has also been chosen to feed the 15,000 athletes competing, alongside Amandine Chaignot and Akrame Benallal. "It's going to be the biggest restaurant in the world! To participate indirectly in the performance of the Games, of course we say yes," commented Alexandre Mazzia on his appointment. "For the past two years, I've been lucky enough to work with sports doctors on recovery and the notion of nutritional performance", he added, assuring us that sport and cuisine shared the same values of "benevolence and performance".

These news might interest you

News & Events

Follow the chenin

The king of the Loire grape varieties, also widespread in South Africa, "ch'nin", as the people of the Loire pronounce it, has the extraordinary ability to produce dry white wines as well as semi-dry, sweet, syrupy and even sparkling wines, commonly known as fines bulles. Complex and demanding, it is nonetheless endearing.

Read

News & Events

What temperature should I serve my wine at?

If you break out the ice bucket at the slightest bottle of white and the reds never leave your kitchen, here's a simple guide to avoiding these wine temperature faux-pas.

Read

News & Events

10 great restaurants where you can (also) don your kitchen apron

People no longer come to restaurants just for lunch or dinner. At a time when cooking secrets are no longer the preserve of top chefs, people come as early as 9am to put on their apron... before unfolding the napkin on their knees.

Read

Craftsmen & Know-How

Pâtiss'Art announces its first edition with Nina Métayer as godmother

Normandy goes pastry. From October 26 to 28, 2024, the first Pâtiss'Art show will be held in Deauville. For the occasion, the godmother will be none other than Nina Métayer.

Read

Tables & Chefs

8 terraces to eat well and enjoy the sun in Paris

Spring is well and truly here in Paris, and the urge to dine al fresco is growing. Here are eight addresses where you can soak up the sun and enjoy a good meal at the same time.

Read