Cover image:  Volunteers Milton and Fihodé at the Soul Food information desk
© Entrée to Black Paris

On Sunday June 30, the French nonprofit organization Soul Food took over Arboré, the Royal Madeleine Hotel's restaurant, to offer a afternoon and (early) evening of fantastic food, soul-stirring music, and bubbling conviviality.

Arboré Restaurant at Hôtel Royal Madeleine
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Soul Food is a nonprofit that helps young migrants and refugees adjust to life in Paris. It uses art and culture as tools to feed the soul of its members (hence the name of the organization). 

Because Soul Food's founders recognize food as powerful art form and a key component of culture, they incorporate it in many of the activities they organize.  They have even incorporated food into their professional development program by including a culinary track that provides members with an opportunity to cultivate food preparation skills that will ease their road to gainful employment.

For several years,  Arboré has supported Soul Food's professional development program.  The menu provided for the June 30 event was partly inspired by young Soul Food members and their West African heritages, and partly by the French and Indian influences of Arboré's Chef Ashwin Marius Le Prince. Their offerings were innovate and flavorful, and they regaled all who partook of the festivities that day.

Soul Food brochure and menu
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Entry was free. Guests enjoyed a meal in the Passage Puteaux adjacent to the restaurant or simply dropped in for a drink from Talaé, the hotel's cocktail bar, and listened to music.

Passage Puteaux
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Talaé Cocktail Bar at Hôtel Royal Madeleine
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I arrived at around 2 PM and had the opportunity to observe everything before the live music began.  Passage Puteaux was already quite full.

Diners in Passage Puteaux
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I met volunteers Milton and Fihodé at the information desk.  Artwork, coloring books, and Soul Food's annual report were on the table in front of them, and Soul Food apparel hung on a rack to the side.

Soul Food artwork
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Soul Food coloring book, annual report, and apparel
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A young woman named Ima served as DJ while the wait staff scurried to place orders on tables.

DJ Ima
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Almost immediately, I saw Chef Ashwin and introduced myself to him.  He was quite friendly, and his excitement about the event was tangible.

Chef Ashwin Marius Le Prince and Monique Y. Wells
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On the menu were (from the far left going clockwise in the image below) Lentil dahl with coconut milk, yogurt, mint, and fried shallots, Shredded beef mafé on naan with green harissa and roasted peanuts, Okra tempura with tamarind gel, Cod fritters with sauce chien and lime yogurt, and Crispy chicken tenders with yassa relish.

Five main dishes
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The food was beautifully presented and tasted just as good!

The first music group took the stage at around 3 PM. To open their set,  Karim Kabore and Zakariae Heddouchi delivered fantastic renditions of Buena Vista Social Club's "Chan Chan" and "El Cuarto de Tula."

L to R:  Karim Kabore and Zakariae Heddouchi
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The music was so compelling that Chef Ashwin emerged from the kitchen to watch the two men perform.

Chef Ashwin clapping to "El Quarto de Tula"
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When the musicians took a break, he went into the passage to engage with diners.

Chef Ashwin (center) talking with a diner
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By this time, my take out order was ready.  I took one last look down the passage and then left to make my way home.

Watch some of Soul Food's favorite moments from the event HERE.

Click HERE to learn more about the organization's philosophy about food and the wonderful work they do.