Due to the lack of staff, the seafood and fish restaurant “Chez Geneviève”, located at the entrance to the port of Audenge, in the Arcachon basin, was forced to close its doors on Sunday. Boss Alexis Demay, who joined forces with his mother Geneviève in 2006, must now be in the oven and at the mill to run his business: in the kitchen, as well as in service. Genevievewho opened the restaurant in 1974, sets the table, serves the aperitifs, and does the washing up, at almost 80 years old.
“Before the covid, it was difficult to find catering staff. But since covid it’s just hell“, laments Alexis Demay. To find the rare pearl, he has been installing a large blackboard at the entrance to his establishment for a few days now. The remuneration offered is 2000€ net/month for a waiter or an assistant cook. The restaurant needs a minimum of 6 people to be effective at the peak of the tourist season.
I’m calling for help
Despite this display, and a number of relays on social networks, it still does not jostle at the gate. “We were supposed to have someone tryout today, but they didn’t show up.“, says Alexis Demay. “This weekend, I have someone planned again, but who knows if they won’t let me down again?“To resort to his mother as he does,”it’s not viable. It’s bits of string…” Geneviève, she emphasizes that she “Can’t physically anymore. I have to take care of myself!” “I need a real team to face the summer. I am calling for help!“, resumes Alexis Demay.
– Arthur Fradin
If the profession is less attractive, it is housing in the Arcachon basin that is the main concern for finding seasonal workers… Unlike some of his colleagues, who go so far as to buy mobile homes in campsites, Alexis does not have sufficient cash to accommodate employees. Like him, several restaurateurs regret the lack of action by town halls, which do not offer cheap housing solutions for seasonal workers.
If he does not find employees quickly, Alexis Demay could again lower the curtain in the coming days. To the great displeasure of his mother, very attached to his restaurant, and of the clientele. Serge, an Audengeois who came with his parents and who has always eaten here, talks about a restaurant “pillar of Audenge, famous for its eels with parsley! It can’t close: it’s our meeting point! If waiters are hesitant to come, the port of Audenge is right next door, swimmers can swim in the pool during the day (a huge saltwater swimming pool is present in front of the restaurant), afterwards they come to work, it’s great! “
Alexis Demay says today that he is ready to accept all applications, including inexperienced profiles. Provided you can train them now, because as soon as the tourist season starts in full swing, the time to train an employee is obviously not the same.
Telephone restaurant “Chez Geneviève” Audenge: 05 56 26 81 05