I first wrote and published this post in April 2017. I was reminded of it when it was posted on Facebook by mon ami, Bertrand, on My Private Paris' page. Merci, Bertrand, Best Tour Guide Ever! And the recipe at the end for gougères is very apropos... I just finished all 5 of Laura Bradbury's …
Continue reading Rerun: Baguettes et beurre vs Biscuits and bacon
This is a look at Chalk Mountain, taken from the road between Spruce Pine and Bakersville. It's not the prettiest view, I suppose, but it is one I associate with home. I lived in those mountains for 22 years, 18 in Spruce Pine, 4 in Linville and Boone. I still tell people I am from …
I am watching a Hallmark movie, Summer Villa, supposedly set in the south of France (really set in Montréal, Canada). The opening views of lavender, the market scenes, someone with a (I hope) legit French accent take me back to ten years ago I was living in Arles, on the Rhône River, working as a …
Blogging live today from Pompieri Pizza in lovely downtown Durham, dear readers. If only I could capture the smells coming from the kitchen... I was sitting at home, working on the format (the guts) of this blog, and was shocked when the Ex-Ex came home and I realized it was already 12:15. I am not …
I like to eat. No, scratch that. I love to eat. Most of the time, food that is really good for me, once in a while treats that are probably not so good for me but undeniably delicious. Just look at those beauties from Britts Donut Shop in Carolina Beach. Two donuts once every two years …
Okay, so that bundle of cuteness has nothing to do with lunch, but I couldn't resist. Babysitting for Mlle Adorable is my other summer project now that SCHOOL IS OUT!! My official summer projet has begun, as of Thursday. I kicked off the Out-to-Lunch Series 2018 with a visit to Namu with Señora Verde. She …
As if the title isn't long enough... It's now been 10 years since The Sabbatical Chef was born. I am honestly afraid to read my first attempts at writing, but, well, here it is. My first post. I am a Southern girl and grew up around good food, but my mom and grandmother never used …
Continue reading How a French teacher becomes l’assistante américaine to a French chef in Provence
I've been MIA from my dear sweet blog. January brought the passing of my mom's dear sweet husband and that of my dear sweet father-in-law. I still catch myself not believing that they are gone from us. February brought a three-day trip to Washington, DC and the usual whirlwind of classes, lesson plans and the …
These New Balance cross trainers were made for walking... And that's just what they did. For six full days in Paris. Wednesday with Ghislaine (21,017 steps, 9.3 miles). It's no wonder that I have a sore muscle (or something) around my left ankle. No blisters, though, I am happy to report. One sore toenail, but …
An article written by Adam Nossiter for the New York Times partially republished in this morning's Durham Herald-Sun immediately caught my attention. It is about French chef Jérôme Brochot, owner of Le France in Montceau-les-Mines, giving up his Michelin star. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/27/world/europe/france-chef-michelin-star.html This is practically unheard of. Those stars, however, drive up prices and bring a lot of …
the sabbatical chef 