There’s hope that the image, at least, of fast food might change. Well, in France that is.
McDonald’s French Division has hired the famed, but very private, product designer Patrick Norquet to create not only elegant (and very collectable) new beverage cups but also a new interior that upscales the rather dated red and yellow world of Ronald McDonald.
The result is stunning, modern, chic – in short, so very French.
One can only hope that this design change won’t be limited to just France.
After all, Patrick Norquet is international known, having designed product imagery for the likes of Dior, Guerlain and Lanvin.
Stateside his much copied “Rainbow Chair” is even in the permanent design collection at the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) in New York City. Not a bad resume reference that.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if, thanks to Patrick Norquet, mass produced dining interiors were replaced by inspired design in America? What better environment could there be to eat one’s ‘French’ fries in?
Historical Note: ‘French’ fries are not really from France. The name was incorrectly given to the fried potato strips by American soldiers during World War I.
Unfamiliar with European terrain and confused by the endless trenches from which they fought, these weary soldiers thought they were in France when they were actually in Belgium.
Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2012
