BETC's Magasins généraux Launches Second Book, 'Cantine générale'

BETC’s Magasins généraux has teamed up with cuisine experts Phamily First for its second book: Cantine générale. The 156-page publication explores the spirit of the canteen, hitting the bookshelves and online retailers this month. This continued pursuit into publishing follows the success of the Guide des Grands Parisiens, the first cultural guide to Greater Paris published by Magasins généraux earlier this year.

Cantine générale explores the universal subject of communal meals from a societal, historical and pop-cultural angle. Despite the relevance of shared dining in every country, culture and age group, the subject has not been thoroughly analysed until today. Through the eyes of its contributing authors, Cantine générale questions the ties between communal meals and a range of modern-day subjects including psychology, confinement and sports, in addition to food trends, cinema and design. 

The publication is divided into seven chapters tracing our canteenological tree; from our younger years spent eating at school canteens, to our relationship with corporate catering during our adult working life. Truly a cultural object, Cantine générale is punctuated by both captivating illustrations and appetising photography. 

The book includes articles and recipes by international food industry professionals from around the world such as Simone Tondo, Céline Pham and Linda Granebring. It also lists canteen-inspired eateries off the beaten track in Greater Paris and beyond. All texts are in both French and English.

This is Magasins généraux’s first cultural object to be rooted in the culinary arts. 

“Magasins généraux aims to examine contemporary social issues with creative minds from every sphere,” says BETC founder-president Rémi Babinet and Magasins généraux director Eugénie Lefebvre. “Analysing how we eat together raises underlying yet fundamental questions about our society.”