El Pica Pica, the restaurant of "Sang et Or" flavors

How did rugby come into your life?

Although I initially discovered rugby through my television screen, it has profoundly influenced my professional life. Originally from Sète, a city where this sport was not very widespread, I was captivated by iconic figures such as André Lubrano, combining virtuosity in jousting with excellence on the rugby field. My heart swayed between the Béziers teams, led by the charismatic Vaquerin, and Perpignan, with Jean-François Imbernon. These teams fascinated me, and rugby instilled in me essential values such as camaraderie and brotherhood. As an avid supporter, I sought to transpose these values into all aspects of my life, both professionally and personally.

What are the links between rugby and restaurants?

For me, catering and rugby represent a legacy of transmission and sharing. Born into the restaurant world, becoming a restaurateur was an obvious choice, an innate passion. I managed to combine this passion with that for rugby, sharing these two loves with my family and through my establishments, such as the one in Les Angles or Pica Pica in Sainte-Marie-la-Mer. I have always considered my colleagues as teammates, brothers in arms, a true family. Among them, Toto and Antho, two young men with whom I started years ago and who are still by my side today.

My family is first and foremost my father, Marcel, my wife, Marie, and my sons Vincent and Lenny. Marcel Viola, my father, embodies the generosity and passion reflected in Pica Pica's dishes, values he passed on to me and that I perpetuate. My wife Marie is my rock, without whom nothing would be possible, because catering is both a passion and a vocation that we share as a couple. Together, we work to bring people together around a table, sharing memories and creating moments of happiness through our dishes.

My sons, Vincent and Lenny, embody my passions: "I am so proud of them."

Vincent works alongside me, inheriting family values to become an accomplished professional. Lenny chose to follow his path in rugby, currently playing as a promising player for USAP, embodying the pride of the Catalan people. Through them, I know that my father is watching over us, proud of who we are and who they are becoming.

"My father passed it on to me; it's my turn to pass it on."

What dishes are close to your heart?

Catalan dishes hold a special place in my establishment, such as escalivada, galtes, and fraginat de Baixes, but two characteristic traditional dishes reflect my family heritage: the "sétoises" which evoke the flavors of my childhood prepared by my maternal grandmother. These dishes are imbued with memories and traditions, inviting everyone to discover them and appreciate their culinary richness.

If rugby were a dish?

If rugby were a dish, for me, it would be compared to beef confit. This dish embodies comforting simplicity combined with demanding preparation. It consists of a piece of paleron accompanied by pasta, requiring a slow cooking of 10 hours and precise seasoning from the start. This demanding preparation symbolizes for me the challenges and rigor of rugby.

Beef confit represents a metaphor for rugby, where apparent simplicity actually hides hours of training and refinement. Today, it is my son Vincent who perpetuates the tradition by carefully reproducing this dish, which fills me with pride and illustrates the transmission of values and know-how from generation to generation. Organizing an imaginary meal on the theme of rugby means bringing together around the table personalities who have marked your life and your passion for this sport. For you, this meal is not just a fictional idea, because you have already experienced it and ardently wish to relive this unique moment.

If you could host a meal with rugby personalities?

In fact, I've already experienced my dream meal, but today I'd like to recreate it to fully appreciate its joy. Among them, there would first be Marcel, my father who left us too soon, a symbol of generosity and passion for rugby. There would also be Didier Sanchez, Jean-François Imbernon, David Marty, Jean-Pierre Perez, Nicolas Mas, Lagaruche, Patrick, David, Guirado, and Tuilagui, friends and Catalan legends, big-hearted men, people I love and miss today.

This meal would symbolize sharing, conviviality, and a tribute to these personalities who have marked my life through rugby. A moment of reunion and memories where exchanges would be filled with passion and respect for this sport that unites and inspires so many people. Reliving this meal would be a precious opportunity to celebrate the strong bonds forged around rugby and to pay tribute to those who contributed to shaping my love for this sport.

Why did you choose Religion Rugby to dress your team?

I chose the Religion Rugby brand to dress my team because, in rugby, players wear jerseys that symbolize unity and collective strength. For me, it is essential to create a strong link between my team, and the uniformity of the same-colored T-shirts reinforces this team spirit. The Religion Rugby brand holds a special place in my heart because I remember 12 years ago, a discussion with Didier, Marcel, Jean-Charles and Julien about the creation of the logo and the launch of the brand in my restaurant, at the very table where we are currently sitting. As a loyal person, I greatly appreciate the values you embody, and it is a source of pride for me to wear your colors and convey these principles within my team.

We notice a funny shield on the counter: Marcel Viola Shield, Challenge des Baveurs.

Of course, I ask Greg, what is this challenge?

It's a kind of brotherhood created by my father with some of his friends. We sit around a table, drink with passion, and talk about an absent person whom we openly criticize. A few weeks later, we know who gossiped the most... because, of course, the person being criticized is complicit in our little game.

Religion Rugby's opinion on Pica Pica:

At Pica Pica, a restaurant run by enthusiasts, Greg and Marie will welcome you with warmth and conviviality; you'll feel right at home. The values of rugby shine through in the generous dishes and the warm atmosphere that prevails in this place. Sharing a moment at Pica Pica means treating yourself to an authentic culinary experience, blending Catalan flavors with the traditions of the "blood and gold" terroir. We recommend this restaurant without hesitation!!

If you choose to wear the colors of Religion Rugby when you go to the restaurant, the owner will give you special attention, because for him, values are not just words, but principles to live by every day.