Culinary Travel Adventure in Provence with Goût et Voyage

This article was previously published on Marjorie R. Williams website “Exploring the World of Food, Antiques and Crafts.

“Provence as Seen by (and with!) Martine Bertin-Peterson”

I recently had the opportunity to interview Martine Bertin-Peterson, founder of the culinary travel adventure company Goût et Voyage. Martine escorts tours to Provence, Tuscany and Umbria, and she conducts cooking classes. I met Martine when she invited me to speak at Alliance Française in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. We’re kindred spirits in our passion for French markets and for Provence in particular, so we immediately hit it off. In this interview, Martine describes what Provence means to her. She also announces a new trip that she is offering for those who wish to practice and improve their French while enjoying the delights of Provence. It’s a wonderful opportunity to learn on the go with a pro! Read on.  ~Marjorie

What’s your personal connection to Provence?

I was born in Castres in southwest France and have spent time in many other French provinces. I always come back to Provence. The landscape, architecture, weather, markets, flora, and food come together in a unique way to create what I find to be the perfect environment.

What is your favorite food in Provence?

This is a really tough question for a gourmande like me! I love the cheese–especially the chèvre in all its variations. I love the fact that gorgeous produce and provisions are readily available, allowing chefs to offer seasonal dishes that don’t require fussy sauces and complicated preparation to shine. Oh, and the wine of course–the rosés and the various Côtes du Rhône varietals.

What’s an easy Provençal-style recipe that you make?

Every restaurant and cafe in Provence offers its version of a tapenade to accompany an apéro. A delicious combination of the region’s most popular ingredients–olives, garlic, basil, pine nuts and olive oil–there are a million variations you can serve on toasted baguette slices. Tapenade is so simple and quick to pull together. You’ll never buy a jarred variety again.

Olive Tapenade, Caviar d'Aubergine and Goat Cheese and Basil Dips

These three dips include classic ingredients from Provence. Each one is very easy to make, all you need (besides the ingredients) is a blender.

Check out this recipe

Continue reading here for the full interview with Martine Bertin-Peterson by Marjorie Williams. Discover Bertin-Peterson’s top picks for French films, favourite Provencal markets and what to shop for while you are there.

Book your Goût et Voyage “Taste of Provence” tour.

Who is Marjorie Williams?

A graduate of the University of Chicago, Marjorie Williams began her career in book publishing, ending up as the Editorial Director of Harvard Business Press. However, it was while living in France in 1995 while her husband was teaching at INSEAD, in Fontainebleau, that she discovered her first French market. Delighted and mesmerized, Williams began researching and writing about the best markets in Paris. She followed the success of her first book Markets of Paris with Markets of Provence: Food, Antiques, Crafts and More.

Read more about Marjorie Williams and her book on Provence here.

Discover her website

Image credits: photos published with the permission of Goût et Voyage

Carolyne Kauser-Abbott

With her camera and laptop close at hand, Carolyne has traded in her business suits for the world of freelance writing and blogging. Her first airplane ride at six months of age was her introduction to the exciting world of travel.

While in Provence, Carolyne can be found hiking with friends, riding the hills around the Alpilles or tackling Mont Ventoux. Her attachment to the region resonates in Perfectly Provence this digital magazine that she launched in 2014. This website is an opportunity to explore the best of the Mediterranean lifestyle (food & wine, places to stay, expat stories, books on the region, travel tips, real estate tips and more), through our contributors' articles.

Carolyne writes a food and travel blog Ginger and Nutmeg. Carolyne’s freelance articles can be found in Global Living Magazine, Avenue Magazine and City Palate (Published Travel Articles).