Context
The Casa Consolat (Aglio Olio Peperoncino Association) is a place that offers its members every lunchtime, from Monday to Friday, a canteen imagined in a participative mode as well as a diverse cultural program. The association carries out an eco-responsible, united and social project, by promoting access to all and cultural exchange.
Project
Originally created by Italians living in Marseille, the Casa is a place of multicultural welcome and exchange, both in terms of cuisine (welcoming new cooks and enhancing their culinary culture) and consumption ( participatory cooking workshops followed by shared meals are organized).
Quality products
Regarding the canteen, the association offers alternative, sustainable and varied menus according to different diets: vegan, vegetarian, meat, fresh homemade pasta, fresh fish.
Particular attention is paid to the quality of preparations and supply. All dishes are prepared on site by the association's cooks, employees, civic service or volunteers. The supply favors local, seasonal products from organic farming and purchased in short circuits: meat bought at the local butcher's shop or from La La Belle de Mai a grocery store registered in a social and solidarity economy project; the fish is bought at the Vieux Port market; fruit and vegetables are regularly bought at the local farmer’s market of Cours Julien, in particular at the end of the market with the purchase of unsold goods (which notably allows the association to reduce its costs of raw materials and therefore to offer affordable dishes) ; dry products are purchased from SCOP Marseille Spices; Finally, products are brought back from Italy by the members or their network.
A free pricing system
Another founding point of this association is to allow everyone access to the canteen. Therefore, a free price system is offered for meals. Finally, the Casa has a bar, used during service or organized events.
Cultural activities
The place is also marked by a developed cultural associative life, with concert and theater evenings, photo exhibitions or local crafts, or even film screenings. The programming aims to be committed to the values of solidarity and sustainability.
Project leaders
Originally, the project was supported by two associative structures: The B-side (association working in the field of urban cultures) and the Théâtre de la Catastrophe (theater company). In 2012, the Aglio, Olio e Peperoncino Association (the “canteen”) took over full management of the place, acquired new skills in cooking and equipped itself with audio and video equipment.
To date, the association is managed by a small group of members gathered around the founder, Emmanuel.
The Little Extra
Since 2015, the association has undertaken work to bring the kitchen up to standard and to soundproof the ceiling. This last stage is ongoing and will allow the association to also represent a real "concert hall" in the city center of Marseille.
Written by Clara Santini, LFC volunteer - November 2018.
Last modification : 20 May 2020.
Aglio Olio Peperoncino
Originally, the project was supported by two associative structures: The B-side (association working in the field of urban cultures) and the Théâtre de la Catastrophe (theater company). In 2012, the Aglio association, Olio e Peperoncino (the “canteen”) took over full management of the place, acquired new skills in cooking and equipped itself with audio and video equipment.A ce jour, l’association est gérée par un petit groupe de membres regroupé autour du fondateur, Emmanuel.