“It's chaos, emptiness and silence”: a campsite cook disappears without a trace in the middle of summer
|Guillaume Chevallier is distraught by this unexpected departure (illustration). Unsplash – engin akyurt
This Tuesday, July 30, 2024, an employee of a restaurant at the Le Pech Charmant campsite in Dordogne disappeared in the middle of the summer season.
Guillaume Chevallier, manager of the Le Pech Charmant campsite in Les Eyzies in Dordogne, has been in a difficult situation since Tuesday, July 30, 2024, reports France Bleu.
At the worst time of the year
Upon arrival, he discovers that the door was open, all the cupboards were emptied and the keys were left on the table. Despite the favorable working conditions and the best salary at the campsite, the 56-year-old cook has chosen to leave at the worst time of the year.
Guillaume Chevallier is distraught by this unexpected departure, especially since the summer period represents 95% of the campsite's turnover. The chef's departure after only two weeks of intensive work is particularly frustrating for him.
Guillaume assumes that the cook stayed during the quieter period, between April and July, to earn a full salary, then left just before the start of the high season, when there is much more work.
This situation, which he attributes to a lack of willingness to work during busy periods, has not only disrupted the organization of the campsite but has also caused a lot of stress for Guillaume, who has not been able to sleep because the restaurant service is important to customers.
In the restaurant kitchen, the state is chaotic: there is only a zucchini and eggs left on the worktop. “It's chaos, emptiness and silence”, sighs the campsite manager. The seasonal workers, some of whom already have experience at the campsite snack bar, are trying to adapt by preparing for the “pancake evening” Friday.
Paul, a seasonal worker for 3 years, is optimistic despite the increased difficulty: “That one is burnt, it will be for the pigs!”, he says with a smile and complete confidence to our colleagues.
A more simplified menu
While waiting to recruit a new chef, the restaurant menu will be simplified so that seasonal workers can manage demand. The “pancake evening” will serve as a reopening of the restaurant and will allow customers to meet their needs until a new chef is found.
Guillaume Chevallier hopes to quickly hire a replacement who can create a new menu while preserving the spirit of the place.