The Interview

You are a well-known figure at the Cuers market. How long have you been here?

I've been in Cuers for 19 years. I've had a wonderful clientele for years. I bring Italy here, at Italian prices. My recipe is simple: quality and affordable prices. Today, everyone needs to be able to treat themselves.

You can be heard saying "I adore you" all morning. Is that your secret or is it just you?

It's my nature. I say that all day long to everyone. I try to bring joy. With the current context, there is a lot of sadness, a lot of uncertainty. So me,

Is there a cheese that tells your story?

Parmesan. My uncle is a producer. Thanks to him, I get the best wheels. The production, the aging cellars, it's fabulous.

Your stall always attracts a crowd. How do you explain this enthusiasm?

I work the old-fashioned way. Refrigerated displays, no barrier with the customer. I chat, I joke. I am all about contact. And it works.

Tell me about a typical scene on your Friday morning.

When there are a lot of people, I let myself tell many of them that I adore them. Many are lonely. We chat, we laugh, we create an atmosphere. And it's natural, it comes from the heart.

is that your fuel?

It's natural. I love my job. Everything comes from the heart.

Do you realize you've become a character here?

It touches me. I love my job because of that. I draw my strength from that contact.

Your job in one sentence?

Contact with people. Selling them a product they can't find in supermarkets. I want people to eat authentic products of yesteryear. I also sell a bit of charcuterie and pasta.

How do you choose a perfect cheese?

I go to my producers, I look at the production, the final product. If there are colorants or preservatives, I don't take it.

A few punchline questions to finish. What if I tell you "cheese is life"?

Cheese is life. A meal without cheese is not a meal. It's conviviality, happiness.

Is Friday your favorite day or your marathon?

One of my favorite days. Cuers remains a village, despite its 13,000 inhabitants. Word of mouth travels fast. And I come here with great pleasure.

You give out lots of samples... To sell?

To make them discover new things, and people appreciate it. And they come back.

Do you prefer a customer who hesitates or a customer who knows?

The one who knows, it's simpler. The one who hesitates, it's up to me to make them discover good things.

And you have the good taste for that?

Apparently so. But it's because I love my job. I could stop doing markets tomorrow, but I love the contact.

Where does your "I adore you" come from?

From the market of La Ciotat. One day, I said it, it just came naturally. And it stuck. I say it all the time.

Any final words?

I am happy to do this job. I wouldn't change it for anything in the world.