The weekend's terrible events in Paris have spurred an influential group of London's restaurant folk to head across the channel. The movement #SupportParis, has already signed up numerous chefs, journalists and restaurateurs. It was kickstarted by Galvin at Windows Maitre d' (but just as well known to many of you as the Maitre d' on First Dates) Fred Sirieix.
"Basically the idea is to go and spend the day in Paris to show our support to our fellow industry colleagues there," he told Hot Dinners. "We do not expect that we will change the world. We will have lunch and a drink or two and just be there with the French to support them and do a very small thing."
The day trip was inspired in part by an observation from Dave Strauss, operations manager at Goodman, who saw first-hand the impact 9/11 had on the hospitality trade in NYC. The London folk are determined to do their bit to help Paris recover from Friday's atrocities.
"[As an industry] we trade in happiness, warmth and generosity. The very things a terrorist wants to undermine," added James Lewis, head of marketing for Gauthier Soho in a blog post today.
If you're thinking of joining them, the trip takes place on Tuesday 1 December 2015 taking the 7.55am Eurostar out, returning at 21.13. Plans for where to eat and drink on the day are still being formulated we understand. And you don't have to be in the hospitality industry to do your bit - just head over to Paris, spend your money in their restaurants and bars and show your support that way.
[For transparency - one of Hot Dinners works for Eurostar but had no involvement in the decision to use Eurostar as the travel partner of choice]
