I  am deeply moved by Jean-Andre Charial’s philosophical book “Lunch in Provence.” More correctly, it strengthened my conviction that the foundation of great food lies not only in the provenance of ingredients and simplicity of preparation but in emotion and passion while enjoying it. Charial spoke of lovely, outdoor makeshift lunches where just-picked …

There’s a new obsession running around in my head: “visit as many of France’s ‘Les Plus Beaux Villages‘ as I possibly can.”  So far, I’ve seen only 10 out of some 156 “authentic” Les Plus Beaux Villages. I have a lot of travelling to do. Les Plus Beaux Villages There …

Rosé Tasting on Fridays Rosé wine and the Mediterranean lifestyle are deeply intertwined. France and Provence, in particular, is the leading global producer of rosé. However, with promotions like ‘Rosé all Day’ it’s possible to think of this wine as a fad. It’s not! Rosé was the preferred grape-based drink …

What’s On? During the summer in Provence and the Côte d’Azur, daytime temperatures range from warm to hot. So, you don’t need an excuse to laze by the pool. At this time of year, the lavender is in bloom and the sunflowers put on a spectacular floral show. From music …

Côtes du Rhône Vineyard Refresh Five years ago, I wrote an article for Global Living Magazine about the new owners of Domaine Rouge-Bleu. The backstory about how a Franco-Australian couple followed their dream of owning a wine label is below. Leveraging their experiences in winemaking and sales, Caroline Jones and …

Rhubarb (rhubarbe) may not be something that jumps to mind as typically Provencal. However, it is actually fairly common to find this vegetable during the springtime at local markets and some grocery stores. Make this tart and tingly, double-crust rhubarb pie over perfumed soap.

Oeufs Mimosa (Mimosa Eggs) years ago in Marseille when my cousin placed a large, resplendent platter of Oeufs Mimosa on the dining table. The traditional recipe is unbelievably simple:

Top Picks for Family-Friendly French Riviera This guest post on ideas for activities for the whole family on the French Riviera comes from Helen Bates. Bates and her husband, Niall, have been living in the South of France for 12 years after leaving their careers in finance in the City …

Ramp Pasta Made like Pate Nicoise: In Nice, they often make green gnocchi (Pate Nicoise) that simmers in the broth for the last 30 minutes. This year I tried something new, I made a classic Pate Nicoise (see recipe at the bottom), using wild ramps in place of the more traditional Swiss chard, and the results were stunning.

Admittedly, not everyone can manage a weekday dinner party with an hour (maximum) to prepare the meal before your guests arrive, but I like that sort of challenge. However, to be able to pull it off, you need to be organized. After many years of entertaining, there are several tips …