- Imagined during a “weekend start-up” at the end of 2018 at Le Mans, the Sookies have since experienced real success.
- Two outlets have been opened and some 60,000 cookies have already been devoured.
There were the rillettes, now here are the Sookies! In Le Mans, a new brand of cookies is establishing itself in the landscape of local specialties. In a little over a year, 60,000 of these little chocolate, speculoos or coconut cookies have already been devoured. “We didn't think it would go that fast, admit their creators, two Manceaux from 29 and 35 years old. It must be said that the subject of food waste speaks to everyone, and arouses curiosity. "
Because Sookies, contraction of "solidarity" and "cookies", are not cookies like the others. In the recipe, butter and sugar, of course, but not classic flour. Instead, dry bread transformed into breadcrumbs is used. "The texture of the cookie is much more pleasant, very soft, says Alix Meftahi, co-founder, who had the idea of transforming hard bread into a" gourmet product "while he was a volunteer in a food aid association for SDF. Since the start, around 2,500 baguettes have already been upgraded. "
Collection of unsold bread
The adventure started in November 2018, during a “weekend start-up” organized by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI). In two days and one night, Alix and his team develop recipes, logo, and a whole marketing plan. Rewarded by the jury, the project then catches the eye of the director of the Center sud shopping mall, which offers young entrepreneurs the grace of occupying a cell to test their concept. "We had 15 days to open the store," recalls Alix Meftahi, who has since left his job to devote himself 100% to the project. It was a big challenge but we did it. "
In the meantime, we also had to find out how, and where to make the famous anti-waste cookies. Alix Mefathi already had his little idea. For bread flour, he turned to Pain contre la Faim, an association which collects unsold goods from bakeries and supermarkets, initially to transform it into breadcrumbs intended for animal food. And for the clothing industry, the brand uses another integration project, specialized in the catering activity. All within a radius of less than 10 km.
In canteens and soon companies
Today, after a successful crowdfunding campaign and the opening of a second outlet (the Sookies Café, located in the Jacobins shopping center, in downtown Le Mans), Sookies has hired two employees and is also distributed in school canteens of eight municipalities in the agglomeration. The brand recently launched its muffin, with the famous bread flour, and pushes the concept of re-use even in its juices and smoothies (based on ugly fruits from southern Sarthe).
Next year, entrepreneurs hope to sell 200,000 cookies. To get there, they will soon launch offers for works councils before, why not, have their Sookies tasted beyond the borders of Le Mans.
Bordeaux
Bordeaux: Thanks to "escaped recipes", a new life for hard bread
Strasbourg
Strasbourg: It revives the "springerle", these forgotten Alsatian cookies
- Economy
- Le Mans
- biscuits
- Start-up
- Pastry