Searching for Family and Traditions at the French Table, Book Two (Nord-Pas-de-Calais, Normandy, Brittany, Loire, Auvergne)

Inspired to learn more about French cooking and traditions, Carole’s friend Josiane agrees to be her tour guide as they try to uncover French home cooking secrets and recipes. They are both inspired by the tales told by Josiane’s mother, Marcelle, of growing up in Brittany. With a sense of adventure and the hope of uncovering more of Marcelle’s family history, they travel through Nord-Pas-de-Calais, Normandy, Brittany, Loire, and Auvergne. Along the way, they stay in farmhouses, hotels, and family-owned Chateaux where Carole, welding her trusty notepad and recorder, is keen to investigate the lifestyle and history of those they encounter as well as indulge in the region’s cuisine.

There are some wonderful descriptions throughout about food, markets, and local celebrations. Plus, readers will be happy to know that some of the recipes mentioned and collected along the journey are included at the end of the book. This warm and inviting memoir will appeal to food lovers and history buffs alike. The two women examine how it was to live during a time of war, especially the Second World War, and how families managed to keep traditions alive even during tough times. As this book points out, family traditions help keep French home cooking entwined in everyday life.