The CEO of Papa’s Burgers was venturing into Patron Incognito on Monday night. And facing Kylian, the boss had a hard time hiding his emotions. The 19-year-old employee has since quit his job.
Yves Hecker, boss of the fast food brand Les Burgers de Papa, participated this Monday evening in Patron Incognito. After one successful physical transformation, this CEO was able to pass himself off as Manu, an intern. During his immersions, the director got to know Kylian, 19, kitchen worker. He was touched to the heart by the young man’s personal story. At the end of the program, he offered his employee to pursue a fixed-term contract, with the hope of being able to offer him a permanent contract. For TV-Leisure, Kylian has agreed to come back to this adventure. He gives us his news.
“At first, I thought to myself that it was a real report…”
Télé-Loisirs: what memories do you keep of the show?
Kylian : I keep a very good memory. It allowed me to see in real life how the CEO reacted to everything that was going on. And also it allowed me to see another side of myself: under the pressure of the cameras and in everyday life, I am not necessarily the same.
What subterfuge invented the production to justify the presence of the cameras?
I was told it would be a burger show shot by the M6 group. I was told they were going to see other brands, I thought it was a real report.
Did the trap really work? Did you unmask the real identity of “Manu” (the boss pretends to be Manu, editor’s note)?
I was expecting this a little at the start. When I learned that an intern was arriving 24 hours before the shooting of a TV show, I found it weird. The deputy director, Cédric, called me personally to tell me that I had an intern sent by Pôle Emploi. I saw that he was making mistakes on purpose… After a while I even wondered if he was not a former candidate for Top chef because he looked a lot like the former candidate (he laughs). What really caught my eye was when I was asked to come to Lyon. As the TGV journey progressed, I began to think regarding it. That’s when I said to myself “it’s Patron Incognito”. I stayed 5-10 minutes alone in the office with 4 cameras on me, I was not comfortable. And when I saw “Manu” disembark I understood.
“I knew I might confide in Manu”
How do you feel at that moment?
When I was in the office, the stress mounted. I tell myself that something is bound to happen, either I’m going to be demolished or, I am summoned for a good reason, to tell me that my work had been recognized. At the time, I was not very calm. When I realized it was Patron Incognito, I burst into tears.
How did you experience the presence of the cameras?
It’s not easy to live with. The cameras are on you!
Very quickly, you confide in the one you think is Manu. You are delivering personal things regarding your life.
I have no regrets. Everything that was said, I meant it. Even if one can express oneself well in front of a camera, one can be destroyed and devastated inside. My past mistakes taught me, shaped me. Reaching people was not my goal. I confided in Manu. He told me we were going to meet once more, have a drink. Manu gave me confidence from the start. I knew I might talk to him. Except that I fell for it. I threw everything out. It did me good to have an ear that listens to me.
“It really wasn’t going anymore…”
Yves Hecker suggests that you renew your fixed-term contract. What do you think regarding it at the time?
At the time, I was seriously happy. I told myself that I potentially had a way to stay. Except, this is how life goes, I had to give up Papa’s burgers due to a lot of personal concerns. I had to drop everything because it really wasn’t going anymore. At the time, I was very satisfied, I told myself that I might have a permanent contract, that they were happy with me.
How are you today ?
In my personal life, things are a little better, I am doing. There have been ups and downs. I have recovered. 24 hours before the show, I saw the comments on me. It gave me a hell of a blow … At the time, it hurt me. These people were not in my situation. They didn’t have 4 cameras on them. When you don’t know a person’s background, you can’t afford to criticize people. I made a home and it made me stronger. They didn’t have monstrous pressure like I did. I wanted to make people proud of me. I put so much pressure on myself that it led to discomfort!
And professionally? Where are you ?
I have already found a job. I am a versatile employee in a restaurant. I am as good at serving as I am in the kitchen. I have been trained in both. It’s a job that I like. It’s a CDI, I’m still on a trial period. It’s my last month and if all goes well I’m taken.
Have you found an apartment?
It’s very complicated. As I had not worked following the show, I resumed in early December. Looking for an apartment, it’s very complicated, but I’m going to get out of it, I know it very well.