A Cook's Tour of France

Book excerpt: A Cook's Tour of France is a collection of regional French recipes from chef and television presenter Gabriel Gaté's annual gastronomic journey along of the course of the Tour de France, the most famous race in the world. The Tour takes a different route every year, visiting famous cities and regions like Provence, The Loire Valley and Burgundy, making it as much a delight for the food lover as it is the sports fan. The gastronomy of France is quite simply superb. Its outstanding fish and seafood, excellent wines and liqueurs, extraordinary cheeses, unique range of charcuteries, delicious bread, cakes and patisseries are a constant delight for the French people. This beautiful cookbook gathers together the best classic recipes from the many regions of France, one of the world’s best destinations for food lovers. The recipes include dishes from across France, such as the popular Chicken Casserole Vallée d’Auge from Normandy, the colourful Ratatouille with Lemon and Olive Chantilly from Provence and, of course, lovely desserts, as only the French can do, like the luscious Strawberry Tart from the Loire Valley. Gabriel Gaté is a French-trained chef with an international reputation as an author, television presenter and cookery teacher. Born in the Loire Valley of France, where his father grew all the family’s fruit and vegetables and made wine from the small family vineyard, Gabriel learned the joys of cooking from his maternal grandmother, who was an excellent cook. As a young chef, Gabriel learned to cook from some of the finest French chefs before leaving France with his Australian-born wife, Angie. He is the author of 22 cookbooks, including 100 Best Cakes and Desserts and Taste Le Tour.