Périgueux's Gourmand Book Fair

Since 1988, Périgueux reunites the greatest chefs and authors for a popular gastronomic celebration, held in the centre of the city. The first event devoted to gourmet literature, this unmistakable showcase of the universal and international influence of French cuisine brings together "all the passions of words and food" as the French put it.  A great opportunity to meet key personalities in the gastronomic world who, far away from their furnaces, take real pleasure in engaging with the many who who hope to meet their favourite chef and, perhaps, even purchase a newly found treasure.

A distinguished looking author 

Bakerman, bakerman, bake me one of these!

There was even Rooibos tea available - all the way from Afrique du Sud

First edition and very old cook books

Gourmand book fair - Périgueux 2018

                  

It was the great chef Paul Bocuse who, when I first saw him on telly many years ago, made a lasting impression on me.  A leading figure in the path breaking culinary movement known as nouvelle cuisine, he emerged as the first among a brilliant band of chefs who developed a modernised version of classic French cooking in the late 1960s and early '70s.  

Mr Bocuse shaped a style of cooking at the restaurant that stressed fresh ingredients, lighter sauces, unusual flavour combinations and relentless innovation that, in his case, rested on a solid mastery of classic technique. 

Sadly, Monsiour Bocuse is no longer with us.  He passed away in January 2018 at the age of 91.  I was fortunate enough to pick up one of his wonderful cookbooks at this book fair.   I promise to post the first recipe from this bible

"le pape de la gastronomie" as he was known

"L'Auberge du Pont de Collonges" Bocuse's main restaurant in Collonges-au-Mont-d'Or with the room above where he was born and where he passed away