Napoleon and the Brotherhood of the Giant Omelet
pitch in: to help or contribute to a group effort
Once a year, an extraordinary event is organized by the Brotherhood of the Giant Omelet. Imagine a huge pan in a town center, over 15,000 eggs being cracked, and the smell of cooking filling the air. This is the Giant Omelet Festival in Bessières, France.
This tradition dates back to Napoleon Bonaparte. According to legend, he was so impressed by a local omelet that he ordered a giant one for his troops. Now, every Easter, chefs wear white hats and use big spoons to cook a giant omelet for everyone.
It’s not only in France. This festival is celebrated in other places like Argentina, Belgium, and even Louisiana in the United States. They all join the fun and cook big omelets, too.
The festival in France lasts three days with games, parades, and, of course, the big cook-off. Volunteers pitch in cracking the eggs and using cement mixing tools to whisk them. Then, they heat the 850 kg pan with 70 liters of duck fat. The enormous omelet feeds thousands of people for free.
If you’re intrigued by unique culinary traditions and the power of community, the Giant Omelet Festival is a must-visit.
Learn more in the video below.
Sample sentences
1. When the school decided to plant a garden, the whole class pitched in to help.
2. During the clean-up day, everyone in the neighborhood pitched in to clear the park.
3. At the family reunion, each family pitched in by bringing a dish to share.