Following a call for proposals initiated by the Mucem in late 2024, the project signed by Alexandre Mazzia and Sodexo Live! has been selected to oversee and manage the dining spaces of the J4 building until 2036.
The three-star Michelin Chef and the global hospitality leader for prestigious venues and events will offer a culinary experience that reflects the museum’s identity and values: vibrant, Mediterranean, and community-focused.
To enhance the visitor experience, three distinct dining areas will be introduced in phases throughout 2025 to seamlessly integrate into the various spaces of the J4 buildings of the museum.
Details of the project, including layouts, menus, prices, and social purpose, will be revealed in Spring 2025.
In just over 10 years, the Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations (Mucem) has established itself as one of France’s leading museums, welcoming more than 1.3 million yearly visitors. As the successor of the Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions and a Societal Museum, the Mucem preserves and elevates exceptional objects, traditions, and craftsmanship with a spirit of openness to the world.
Sodexo Live!'s project is designed to be collective and inclusive, expanding the museum’s mission by designing a dining experience that drives social progress while staying true to its values: a committed approach to food – one that combines gastronomic discovery with social diversity.
The ambition is to transform the Mucem's dining spaces into vibrant places of life open to all. Through a thoughtfully curated program, these spaces will celebrate and nurture local talent, turning them into vibrant gathering places that reflect the energy and creativity of the Marseille and Mediterranean scene.
"It is an honor to take part in this project in such an iconic Marseille venue. Marseille is a city that is truly opened to the world and the Mediterranean, and this culinary experience will embody the essence of this town that is so dear to my heart. Alive, accessible to each and every one, and most importantly, celebrating the unparalleled craftmanship of our region.”
“It is a great honor to oversee the Mucem’s catering offer, a museum that, in just 10 years, has become an iconic symbol of Marseille and France’s openness to the world. This partnership is especially meaningful to us, as Marseille is the birthplace of our company and holds a special place in Sodexo’s history.”
“Gérald Passedat and his team have transformed the Mucem into a leading gastronomic destination. In our efforts to promote regional talent and foster openness, we have chosen a vibrant cuisine that is accessible to everyone. As a key figure in both the Marseille and international culinary scenes, Alexandre Mazzia will undoubtedly rise to the challenge.”
“Our ambition for the Mucem is to offer a catering experience that wholeheartedly reflects the values of community and solidarity of the museum thanks to an inclusive cuisine, alive and true to the local roots”
A symbol of the revival of Marseille’s gastronomic scene, Alexandre Mazzia brings a unique cuisine in his adopted city at his AM *** restaurant, characterized by spices, torrefacto, and chilis.
At the helm of his eponymous restaurant since 2014, this former basketball player infuses his cuisine with memories of his Congolese childhood, creating vibrant dishes and a harmony between the products and his home. The result is an unforgettable culinary journey which deeply resonates with African influences. 2021 was the year of ultimate recognition: the crowning achievement of a third Michelin star and the prestigious title of Chef of the Year, awarded by his peers.
A leading figure of France’s contemporary cuisine, Alexandre Mazzia then entered the prestigious World’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2022, receiving the One to Watch award, which honors a "rising star in the global hospitality scene."
As a partner of the Paris 2024 Games last summer, Alexandre Mazzia took on an ambitious challenge: creating a cuisine adapted to the rigorous demands of athletes and high-level sports. This unique opportunity to offer athletes an unforgettable culinary experience in the Olympic Village united his two lifelong passions: sports and cooking. His visionary creativity is now taking him into the kitchens of the prestigious Mucem. In partnership with Sodexo Live!, this new venture marks the beginning of a unique fusion between arts and gastronomy, in a space where culture and flavors become one.
With 40,000 employees and 500 sites, Sodexo Live! contributes to the success of prestigious events such as Royal Ascot, the Super Bowl, the Tour de France, Roland-Garros, the Rugby World Cup and the recent Paris 2024 Games, and showcases exceptional venues such as the Eiffel Tower Restaurants, the Hard Rock Stadium, Bateaux Parisiens, Yachts de Paris, as well as the Royal Academy of Arts in London or the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.
Already partnering with numerous cultural institutions in Paris (Petit Palais, Musée Rodin, Musée national de la Marine…) and internationally (National Gallery in Washington, Royal Academy of Arts in London…), Sodexo Live! furthers its commitment to creating unforgettable experiences in iconic cultural venues through its partnership with Mucem.
This new contract consolidates Sodexo Live!’s presence in Marseille, following the recent launch in 2024 of its hospitality and catering offerings in the new lounges of the Marseille Provence Airport, as well as its presence in the Stade Orange Vélodrome, the Musée des Regards de Provence, and its historic partnership with the Open 13.
Nota bene:
The Mucem's dining areas have been closed since January 30, as renovation and redesign work must take place before their reopening. In the meantime, light and temporary dining alternatives will be set up for visitors' convenience.
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