Birthday Ritual
By Leslie Varsha

Last year, Lance Armstrong’s team director, Johan Bruyneel sang happy birthday to me in Flemish at the Versus lunch tent along with some of our Belgian crew members.  He was talent for our network since Astana was excluded from the Tour in 2008.  This year, Bob Roll handed me a tart with birthday candles blazing.  As a Versus employee, I have a Tour de France birthday every year and Philippe, our chef, always makes it special with some sort of cake or tart.

The catering for lunch at the Tour de France is one of the best things about the job.  Phillipe is the head chef and is assisted by his wife, Odette, and step-son, Roman.  They make lunch for around 75 people everyday with a make-shift kitchen set up in a parking lot.  However, you would think the food came from the kitchen of a five-star restaurant because it is phenomenal.  Phillipe is a successful restaurant owner, but as a Frenchman, he loves the Tour so much that he leaves everything behind to cater the Tour de France.

With only a few days left in the Tour de France, there are only a few more lunches with Phillipe. Our final lunch is even more spectacular than the rest.  We will enjoy a Champaign toast on the Champs-Elysees along with Filet Mignon, Shrimp, and crème brulee.  At least that’s what it’s always been in the past and I can’t wait.