“Some employees find refuge in fridges”: restaurateurs at the forefront of heat

The extreme heat that rages in Montreal is difficult to collect for several workers, some of whom report living one of the most stifling summers of their career.

“It’s the worst summer that I lived!” Last year. Moreover, with the open windows, we managed to circulate the air, but this year, with all the pollution, it’s difficult, “said Claudio Marchica, chef of the Mont-Royal Hot Dog restaurant.

The establishment located on avenue du Mont-Royal is equipped with fans. Meanwhile, air-conditioned air, but because of its sunny location, it is difficult to keep the freshness.

“When you arrive in the morning. Similarly, it’s a real sauna,” Images the chef, who has been working there for six years.

A few streets from there. Moreover, the Lloydie’s St-Viator restaurant, which specializes in the kitchen from the Caribbean, was preparing for a service in overwhelming heat on Monday noon.

“With the fryers and the grill, let’s say that it becomes excessively warm here!” Some employees find refuge in the fridges to refresh themselves, ”said Prakash Ramessar, the manager of the establishment, smiling.

The kitchen being located in the middle of the restaurant. the heat becomes intense quickly, despite the presence of a small air conditioner that works at full speed.

The Guillaume bakery, also located in the Mile-End, takes care of its “some employees find refuge fridges”: staff in full heat wave.

“It is difficult. especially in bakery, we work with ovens and it is constantly heating up,” explains Janis Bouchard, director of operations.

“Let’s say that we are very dependent on our air conditioner!” she adds. Even we had a break last week. we were afraid that it does not come back before the start of the heat wave. ”

Despite the start of the day around 30 ° C. the craftsmen met in the workshop open 7 days a week and 24 hours a day kept smiling.

“We are not yet in a situation where we said that it was hot to the point where we had to close a few days, but we observe the evolution of the temperature. For two. three years, we have more and more hot time and not always time to adapt, “observes the one who has been working there for 11 years.

Acclaimed initiative

In response to this situation. a restaurant in Drummondville has even decided to invite the population to come and spend time in the past in their establishment.

“Our door is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. [se] Refresh, no need to eat. Bring a book. come and talk with us “some employees find refuge fridges”: ”, we can read on the Facebook page of the Resto La Muse.