In the south of France, between the Cévennes and Montpellier, a new generation of companies is reinventing wood-fired cooking. At the heart of this dynamic, COEO stands out as an innovative start-up specialising in braziers, driven by a modern vision and entrepreneurship, particularly female.
"The network of Women Business Leaders is a chain of friendship and solidarity. Entrepreneurship sometimes involves bankruptcies and low points, but we are here, we hold each other's hands," explains Sandrine Bignoli, president of the FCE of Hérault and manager of the Atelier Sellerie in Mauguio for about fifteen years.
It was within this group of 60 women business leaders covering all sectors of activity that she met, last year, Amandine Berthezene, president and co-founder of the company JYA COEO in Le Vigan, which designs outdoor kitchens.
"Her concept is very innovative. We need her youth, her ideas, and her more international vision in the association," continues Sandrine.
Back in Vigan after a world tour
Indeed, Amandine has lived in Paris, New York, and Shanghai, during a backpacking world tour with her partner. "I would like to establish more exchanges and synergies with women business leaders living in foreign countries," confirms the young woman, born in Vigan and returned home in March 2020 at the beginning of the Covid crisis.
"I joined the association because I felt a bit isolated in a rural area during the pandemic. I wanted to connect with women with similar backgrounds. The FCE makes the life of an entrepreneur more enjoyable!" emphasizes Amandine.
Happy to have "re-established roots with this territory", she wishes to promote it, developing through her company the art of living in the South and the regional cultural heritage.
A thriving start-up in the south of France
Located near Montpellier, this start-up in the south of France relies on local know-how and a modern vision of cooking. COEO develops braziers that meet the expectations of outdoor cooking enthusiasts as well as professionals, offering solutions that are both aesthetic and high-performing. The brand's premium positioning reflects a clear desire to establish itself for the long term and to accompany the evolution of culinary practices.
Braziers at the heart of modern cooking
Today, the brazier is no longer just a simple cooking device. It becomes a true central element of the kitchen, allowing for wood-fired cooking while creating a convivial experience. In the Montpellier region and more broadly in the south, this practice is increasingly appealing to food enthusiasts. It allows for a renewed sense of cooking by highlighting the product, the gesture, and sharing.
Montpellier, a territory of culinary innovation
The city of Montpellier and its region are recognised for their economic dynamism and their ability to foster innovative start-ups. In the field of cooking and design, this ecosystem encourages the emergence of new concepts, such as the reimagined brazier. COEO is fully aligned with this trend by offering equipment that integrates perfectly into contemporary lifestyles, between outdoor, gastronomy and experience.
A woman entrepreneur at the heart of the project
The development of this start-up in the south of France also relies on the commitment of a woman entrepreneur, whose vision helps to differentiate the brand. In a sector still largely dominated by traditional codes, this approach brings a new sensitivity, both in the design of the braziers and in the experience offered to users. This reinforces the image of a modern company, in tune with societal changes and consumer expectations.
COEO and the art of living in the south of France
Through its braziers, COEO fully embodies the art of living in the south of France. Cooking becomes a moment of sharing, where time is taken to gather around the fire. In typical environments near Montpellier, between nature and conviviality, the brazier naturally finds its place and becomes a true centre of life. This approach perfectly meets the new expectations, where cooking is no longer limited to meal preparation but becomes a holistic experience.
Conclusion: a start-up that reinvents cooking with a brazier
Between innovation, design and territorial anchoring, COEO establishes itself as a start-up from the south of France to watch closely. By developing fire pits adapted to modern uses, while promoting wood-fired cooking, the brand meets the expectations of an audience in search of authenticity. Driven by a strong entrepreneurial dynamic and an inspiring female presence, it contributes to redefining the codes of outdoor cooking around Montpellier and throughout the south of France.
COEO, the Cévennes‑based brand specializing in barbecue fire pits, planchas, and outdoor kitchens, located near Nîmes and Montpellier, featured in the local newspaper Midi Libre.
Our kamado barbecues.