Many regions in the world are suffering! In the case of Armenia, this is unfortunately nothing new… Nagorno-Karabakh, known as Artsakh by Armenians, has been the subject of extreme tension between Armenia and Azerbaijan since the break-up of the Soviet empire. A year ago, an offensive by Azerbaijani forces resulted in negotiations that confirmed Baku’s victory in controlling this region, whose population is almost exclusively Armenian.
Many fled to Armenia…
Lyon has a long history of friendship with this country, particularly through its cuisine, thanks to emblematic figures like the grocery store Bahadourian, market gardener Gérard Essayan, chef and author Sonia Ezgulian and, of course, Michelin-starred chef Alain Alexanian.
On January 6, 2024, the Fonds Arménien de France organized a charity meal to raise funds to renovate two houses for refugee families in the village of Tegh (Siounik). The houses are surrounded by a plot of land where vegetables can be grown. With a cow and a few chickens, there’s renewed hope of being self-sufficient for a while. Alain Alexanian visited in June and spent many pleasant hours with the families.
A particularly moving moment came when the father of one of the families offered him seeds from various plants he had taken with him in exile, so that he could replant them and feed his family… Alain took some back to the Centre de Ressources de Botanique Appliquée near Lyon (an interdisciplinary research laboratory, applied to agriculture and horticulture within the context of climate challenges). These seeds, which have been catalogued and replanted, are a treasure trove for the center; a trip to the mountains of Armenia is planned for this summer to delve deeper into the subject!
Using local produce, some harvested in the mountains, Alain Alexanian also created the menu for a meal for 100 people, which raised enough money to finance a three-year course for four young cooking enthusiasts at the Centre de Formation des Apprentis d’Erevan, set up by the Société d’Enseignement Professionnel du Rhône (SEPR). Alain, who has of course donated his fees, will be keeping a close eye on their progress to keep the flame alive.
His friend, chef Davy Tissot (Meilleur Ouvrier de France and Bocuse d’Or 2023), accompanied him for a few days, giving him the opportunity to give a culinary demonstration as part of the Yerevan Gastronomy Days; Armenia’s cuisine and wines are as warm-hearted as its people!
