Fabulously Delicious: The French Food Podcast

Bordeaux: The Food Capital of Southwest France You Need to Know is the latest episode of Fabulously Delicious — and it makes the case that this UNESCO World Heritage city is one of the most extraordinary and most underrated food destinations in all of France. Most people arrive in Bordeaux for the wine. This episode is about everything else — the lamprey, the canelé, the Aquitaine caviar, the markets, the chefs and the two thousand years of trade and cultural collision that made this port city on the Garonne one of the great eating cities of Europe.

The first half...

The Story of Louis Diat: The French Chef Who Invented Vichyssoise in New York is the latest episode of Fabulously Delicious — and it tells the remarkable and largely untold story of one of the most influential French chefs ever to work on American soil. Louis Diat was born in 1885 in Montmarault in the Allier department of central France, spent forty-one years as head chef of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Manhattan, cooked for kings, presidents and the Prince of Wales, and in 1917 created crème vichyssoise glacée — one of the most celebrated cold soups in the history of fine dining...

Brie de Meaux — the king of cheeses and arguably the most famous soft cheese in the world — has one of the most extraordinary stories in the entire history of French food. This episode of Fabulously Delicious tells the full story of Brie de Meaux, from Charlemagne ordering cartloads of it in 774 to the Congress of Vienna in 1815 where Talleyrand staged a tasting of 52 European cheeses and Brie de Meaux was crowned the greatest of them all. Raw cow's milk, a soft white rind, a straw-yellow custardy interior with notes of hazelnut, almond and mushroom — and a history that spans more t...

French Food News April 2026 brings together the biggest stories from the world of French food, drink and gastronomy this month — from a potential merger that could create the largest spirits company in the world, to a World Stuffed Cabbage Championship held in a porcelain factory in Limoges. This episode of Fabulously Delicious covers the full breadth of what is happening right now in French food culture — the serious, the surprising and the gloriously niche — with everything you need to know about the stories shaping French gastronomy in April 2026.

The big business story this month is Pernod Ricard — the Fren...

The Story of Roger Vergé: The Chef Who Brought Sunshine to French Cuisine is the latest episode in the Fabulously Delicious Story of French Chefs series — and it tells the full story of one of the most important and most joyful figures in the entire history of French gastronomy. Roger Vergé, founder of Le Moulin de Mougins on the Côte d'Azur, creator of cuisine du soleil and one of the founding fathers of nouvelle cuisine, is a chef whose influence shaped an entire generation of cooks — and whose name deserves to be far more widely known than it is.

The Story of Fabulous French Chefs Part Four brings together five extraordinary figures in French gastronomy — François Vatel, Marie Antoine Carême, Alexis Benoit Soyer, Urbain Dubois and Raymond Oliver. Five centuries of French culinary history, from a seventeenth century maître d'hôtel whose story became one of the most dramatic in the history of French food, to the pioneering television chef who brought French gastronomy into living rooms across France in the 1950s.

We begin with François Vatel — responsible for feeding two thousand guests over three days at one of the most elaborate banquets...

Abondance cheese — one of the great forgotten Alpine cheeses of France — has a story that stretches back to the medieval monasteries of Haute-Savoie and all the way to the papal conclave in Avignon in the fourteenth century, where it was served to cardinals from across Europe. In this episode of Fabulously Delicious, we're telling the full story of Abondance cheese — the semi-hard, raw cow's milk Alpine cheese from the Abondance Valley in Haute-Savoie that most people have never heard of, and that deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as Comté and Beaufort.

The story of Abondan...

Alexis Benoit Soyer was born in a small town in northern France in 1810, and by the time he died in London in 1858 he had changed the way Britain thought about food forever. He redesigned the kitchen of one of London's most prestigious private members clubs from scratch, invented cooking technology that had never existed before, fed thousands of starving people during one of the worst humanitarian disasters of the nineteenth century, and transformed the way armies ate in the field. He was famous in his lifetime — celebrated, eccentric, larger than life in every possible way. And today, almost nobody kn...

Every month the French food world delivers stories that stop you in your tracks — and March 2026 is no exception. We're opening with the sweeping new trade deal between Australia and the European Union, which after eight years of negotiations has finally been signed — and buried inside the headlines about beef quotas and defence partnerships is a fascinating food story about naming rights, geographical indications and what it means when a country built on migrants claims the names of European cheeses and wines as its own.

From there we move into the Michelin Guide France and Monaco 2026 — the big on...

Rungis: Inside the World's Largest Food Market

Seven kilometres south of Paris, larger than the entire Principality of Monaco, there is a place that most visitors to the city will never see. It opens at three in the morning. It employs 13,000 people every single day. It supplies food to 18 million people across the Île-de-France. And it quietly underpins every extraordinary meal you have ever eaten in France. This is Rungis — the world's largest wholesale food market — and in this episode of Fabulously Delicious, we're going inside.

But to understand Rungis, you first have to understand what...

Burgundy: The Food Capital of France You Need to Know

Burgundy. Most people think of wine. But the food story of this region is one of the most extraordinary in all of France — and most people have never heard it properly told.

In this episode I'm taking you deep into the heart of Burgundy — through the dishes, the ingredients, the cheeses, the drinks, the sweet things, and the remarkable people who have shaped this region's culinary identity across the centuries.

We're talking Boeuf Bourguignon and the surprising history behind the dish the...

The Story of Clotilde Bizolon

Clotilde Bizolon, known throughout Lyon as Mère Bizolon, was one of the city’s most beloved figures, yet her story remains surprisingly little known today. In this episode of Fabulously Delicious, Andrew Prior explores how a widowed shopkeeper became “the mother of the soldiers,” offering warmth, food, and comfort to men passing through Lyon-Perrache during both the First and Second World Wars. Her life blends French food culture, community care, and the human side of wartime history.

Listeners will discover how Mère Bizolon created a simple refreshm...

French Food News: March 2026 — Michelin Moves, Bocuse at 100, and What’s On in France

This month on Fabulously Delicious, we’re serving up a full plate of the latest French food news — the stories, openings, trends, and tasty tidbits shaping the world of French cuisine right now. From Michelin Guide movements to cultural conversations and culinary anniversaries, this episode is your quick, delicious way to stay up to date with what’s happening across France and beyond.

We dive into the BBC’s renewed look at the French Paradox, explore the legacy of Paul Bocuse on what woul...

Life Is Better With Butter: The French Beurre Episode

Life Is Better With Butter: The French Beurre Episode explores the rich history, culture, and craft behind one of France’s most iconic ingredients. From ancient butter-making traditions to modern French dairy excellence, this episode traces how butter or beurre, became a defining pillar of French cuisine, baking, and everyday cooking.

Dive into the regional and cultural story of French butter, including why beurre demi-sel (salted butter) holds a special place in Brittany and Normandy, and how terroir influences flavor, aroma, and texture. Learn wh...

The Cerise de Montmorency — A Very French Cherry

In this episode of Fabulously Delicious, we’re diving into the story of one of France’s most iconic fruits: the Cerise de Montmorency, a bright, tangy sour cherry with centuries of history behind it. From its first written descriptions in the 17th century to its status as a prized delicacy for Parisian nobility, this small fruit has played a surprisingly big role in French food culture.

We explore the cherry’s deep roots in the town of Montmorency, just north of Paris, where it...

Voices of the Market: Les Cris de Paris

Voices of the Market: Les Cris de Paris takes listeners back to the bustling streets of medieval and Renaissance Paris, where markets weren’t just places to shop — they were stages filled with sound, rhythm, and theatrical flair. Long before advertising, signage, or social media, street vendors relied on their voices, crafting memorable cries to attract customers and sell everything from food to household goods.

In this episode, we explore the origins of the Cris de Paris — the shouted calls of market sellers, travelling tradespeople, and st...

Croissants: The Surprising History of France’s Most Iconic Pastry

In the first episode of Season Six of Fabulously Delicious: The French Food Podcast, we’re diving into the irresistible world of the croissant — one of the most iconic pastries in French cuisine and a beloved breakfast staple around the globe. With its golden crust, delicate flakes, and rich buttery layers, the croissant is instantly recognisable, but its story is far more complex than many people realise.

This episode explores the croissant’s surprising origins, tracing its roots back to Central Europe and the Aust...

Revisit Pain D'Epice

As the festive season arrives, Fabulously Delicious, The French Food Podcast revisits a much-loved solo episode celebrating pain d’épices, one of France’s most iconic winter and Christmas treats. Warmly spiced and deeply aromatic, this traditional loaf is closely associated with Christmas markets, festive tables, and the comforting flavours of the season.

This episode is a replay of an earlier favourite, shared especially for listeners who may have missed it the first time around — or for those who enjoy rediscovering a familiar story during the holidays. With no new materia...

Revisit Capon with Emily Gaudichon

As Christmas approaches, Fabulously Delicious, The French Food Podcast revisits a beautifully seasonal episode all about capon, one of the most traditional centrepieces of the French festive table. This replay is shared especially for listeners who may have missed it the first time — or who would love to rediscover a classic Christmas conversation.

In this episode, host Andrew Prior is joined by Emily Gaudichon, widely known as the real Emily in Paris, for an engaging and informative discussion about what capon really is, why it holds such an im...

From Forest to Feast: The Story of French Châtaignes

In this deliciously autumnal episode of Fabulously Delicious, we dive deep into the world of châtaignes, France’s beloved chestnuts. From their prickly forest shells to their fragrant, comforting presence in winter markets, châtaignes have long been a symbol of warmth, heritage, and rustic French cooking. But these humble nuts hold far more than nostalgia — they carry centuries of history, culture, and culinary transformation.

We explore the fascinating botanical identity of the châtaigne, uncovering what makes it unique, how it differs...

Revisit A to Z of French Herbs - Black Elder - Sureau Noir

Black Elder—Sureau Noir in French—is a plant woven deeply into European history, folklore, and cuisine. In this Revisit Sunday episode, we return to this remarkable shrub to explore its botanical roots, from its Latin name Sambucus nigra to its preference for sunny spots and its striking transformation through the seasons. Once you know its glossy black berries and fragrant ivory flowers, it’s hard not to spot elder everywhere.

Beyond the garden, Black Elder has played an important role i...

La Tour d’Argent: Paris’s Legendary Duck Restaurant

Few restaurants in the world can claim the history, mystique, and prestige of La Tour d’Argent, the Parisian institution famous for its iconic pressed duck, breathtaking views over the Seine, and centuries-old legacy. In this episode of Fabulously Delicious, we step inside one of France’s most storied dining rooms to uncover the truth, the legends, and the extraordinary craftsmanship behind this culinary landmark.

We explore the restaurant’s beginnings in the late 1500s, when a chef named Rourteau established the original i...

Périgord: The Land of Truffles, Duck, and Autumn Riches

Discover the flavours of one of France’s most delicious regions — the Périgord. In this episode of Fabulously Delicious: The French Food Podcast, host Andrew Prior takes you on a mouthwatering journey through the heart of southwest France, where truffles, foie gras, walnuts, and duck reign supreme. From rustic markets to Michelin-starred kitchens, the Périgord is a region where food isn’t just sustenance — it’s a way of life.

We’ll explore the iconic ingredients that have made Périgord famous: the eart...

Revisit A to Z of French Herbs - Bay Leaves - Feuilles de Laurier

In this week’s Revisit Sunday episode of Fabulously Delicious: The French Food Podcast, we’re returning to one of the most essential herbs in French cooking — the beautifully aromatic Bay Leaf, or feuille de laurier. Often overlooked yet always present, this humble leaf has been quietly flavouring French soups, stews, and sauces for centuries.

Host Andrew Prior takes us back through the history and culinary magic of the Bay Leaf, exploring its place in the tr...

The Story of Charles Ranhofer

Step into the dazzling world of 19th-century haute cuisine with this episode of Fabulously Delicious: The French Food Podcast, as we uncover the extraordinary life of Charles Ranhofer — the French chef who brought elegance, artistry, and refinement to America’s dining scene. Born in Saint-Denis, France, in 1836, Ranhofer rose from a young pastry apprentice in Paris to become the celebrated head chef at Delmonico’s Restaurant in New York City, the most famous restaurant in the United States at the time. His journey is one of ambiti...

En Croûte: When the French Wrap Food in Pastry

What could be more delightfully French than taking something delicious, wrapping it in buttery pastry, and baking it to golden perfection? In this episode of Fabulously Delicious: The French Food Podcast, we unwrap the story behind one of France’s most elegant and enduring culinary techniques — en croûte. From beef and salmon to vegetables and even cheese, en croûte is the art of encasing food in pastry to create something that’s as beautiful to behold as it is delicious to eat.

We’ll e...

Revisit A to Z of French Herbs - Basil - Basilic 

Basil, or basilic in French, is one of the world’s most beloved herbs, and in France it holds a particularly fascinating place in culinary history. Often called Herbes Royales — the Royal Herb — basil carries a name rooted in royalty, mythology, and legend. From its beginnings in India to its journey through the Roman Empire and eventual embrace in French cuisine, basil has always been more than just a kitchen staple; it’s a herb steeped in stories, tradition, and delicious flavor.

In this e...

Wine, Shallots, and Magic: Reductions and Gastrique Sauces in French Cuisine

French cuisine is famous for its sauces, and in this final episode of Saucy September, we’re diving into two of the most magical techniques of all: reductions and gastriques. From silky wine sauces to tangy sweet-and-sour glazes, these methods are the secret behind some of France’s most beloved dishes. If you’ve ever wondered how a simple liquid can be transformed into a sauce that makes a dish sing, this episode is for you.

We’ll explore the art of the redu...

Velvety, Buttery, Tangy: Hollandaise and Béarnaise Uncovered

In this Saucy September episode of Fabulously Delicious, The French Food Podcast, we dive into the silky, buttery, tangy world of two of France’s most iconic sauces: Hollandaise and Béarnaise. These classic emulsions have been staples of French cuisine for centuries, gracing everything from delicate vegetables and poached fish to rich, juicy steaks. But beyond their velvety textures and irresistible flavors lies a fascinating story of culinary tradition, innovation, and technique.

We begin with Hollandaise, one of the five French “mother sauces” codified by Augus...

In this episode of Fabulously Delicious: The French Food Podcast, we continue our Saucy September series by exploring the flavorful world of French daughter sauces, also known as petites sauces. These elegant derivatives take the classic mother sauces and transform them into something entirely new with the addition of wine, cream, herbs, or aromatics.

From the creamy richness of Mornay to the tangy elegance of Béarnaise, each daughter sauce has its own story, personality, and place on the French table. We’ll uncover how a simple béchamel, velouté, espagnole, hollandaise, or tomato sauce can give rise...

The Saucier: Master of Sauce in French Cuisine

It’s Saucy September on Fabulously Delicious, and what better way to celebrate than by shining the spotlight on one of the most essential roles in the French kitchen — the saucier. In the classical brigade de cuisine, the saucier is more than just a sauce maker. They are the guardian of flavor, the chef responsible for creating the rich stocks, velvety reductions, and iconic sauces that transform French food from delicious to unforgettable.

In this episode, we dive into the history and importance of the sauc...

Revisit A to Z of French Herbs - Anis Vert - Green Anise 

It’s Revisit Sunday on Fabulously Delicious, the French Food Podcast, and today we’re shining the spotlight once again on Anis Vert — or green anise. This humble but fragrant herb has been seasoning French kitchens, pastries, and drinks for centuries, and it deserves another moment in the spotlight.

In this episode, we explore the fascinating history of Anis Vert, from its origins in the Middle East and Mediterranean to its spread across Europe under the rule of...

Mother Sauces 

French cuisine is built on tradition, elegance, and above all — sauce. In this episode of Fabulously Delicious: The French Food Podcast, we celebrate Saucy September by diving deep into one of the cornerstones of French gastronomy: the five French mother sauces. From Béchamel to Velouté, Espagnole to Tomato, and finally the golden Hollandaise, these sauces are the foundations on which countless classic and modern recipes are created. Whether you’re a passionate home cook or a curious foodie, this episode will give you the delicious details behind each sauce’s history...

General Overview of French Sauces

French sauces are more than just condiments — they’re the heart and soul of French cuisine. In this episode of Fabulously Delicious: The French Food Podcast, we dive into the fascinating world of sauces, exploring how they elevate even the simplest dishes into something extraordinary. From the velvety béchamel in a comforting gratin to the golden hollandaise draped over steamed vegetables, sauces bring richness, brightness, and balance to French cooking.

We’ll uncover the history of French sauces, tracing their evolution from the thick, spice-laden concoctions of the Mid...

This week on Fabulously Delicious: The French Food Podcast, it’s Revisit Sunday! We’re diving back into the beloved A to Z of French Herbs series to rediscover one of France’s most magical and mysterious plants: Angelica. Known for its unique flavor and rich history, Angelica is more than just an herb — it’s a symbol of tradition, legend, and culinary creativity.

From medieval folklore where Angelica was believed to ward off evil spirits, to its role in protecting people during the plague, this fascinating plant has always carried an air of mystique. But beyond legend, An...

Bleu d’Auvergne: The Creamy Blue Jewel of Central France

In this episode of Fabulously Delicious: The French Food Podcast, we dive into Bleu d’Auvergne: The Creamy Blue Jewel of Central France. Known for its marbled blue veins and velvety texture, this beloved French cheese has been delighting taste buds since the 19th century. From its rustic beginnings on the volcanic highlands of the Massif Central to its celebrated status as a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) cheese, Bleu d’Auvergne is a story of tradition, terroir, and innovation.

We’ll explore the fasc...

Joël Robuchon was more than just a chef — he was a culinary icon whose influence reached far beyond France. With over 30 Michelin stars to his name, he was the most decorated chef in history, yet he always championed simplicity, precision, and respect for ingredients. From his famous pommes purée to the innovative Atelier de Joël Robuchon concept, he forever changed the way the world experienced French cuisine.

In this episode of Fabulously Delicious: The French Food Podcast, we dive into the extraordinary life and legacy of Robuchon. From his early years in Poiti...

In this revisited episode of Fabulously Delicious: The French Food Podcast, we continue our journey through the A to Z of French herbs with a fascinating entry — Alfalfa, or Luzerne as it’s known in France. While not technically a herb but rather a legume, alfalfa has long been used in ways similar to herbs, both in the kitchen and in traditional medicine. From its vibrant purple flowers to its deep-reaching roots, alfalfa has a history as rich and layered as French cuisine itself.

We’ll uncover alfalfa’s story, from its origins in South Central...

In this episode of Fabulously Delicious, we’re unpacking The Art of the French Picnic—a beloved tradition that’s as much about atmosphere and connection as it is about delicious food. From the crusty baguette to the chilled bottle of rosé, we explore how the French have perfected the joy of dining al fresco. Whether you’re in a Parisian park, a vineyard in Provence, or beside a quiet riverbank, the French picnic is a cultural ritual worth savoring.

We’ll take you through the origins of picnicking in France, from humble country meals shared by f...

Few desserts capture the essence of French pâtisserie quite like the tarte au citron. Elegant, tangy, and perfectly balanced, this classic pairs crisp, buttery pâte sucrée with a silky lemon cream that dances between sweet and tart. And then there’s its show-stopping cousin — the tarte au citron meringuée — with peaks of golden, fluffy meringue adding drama and sweetness to every bite. In this episode of Fabulously Delicious, we dive deep into the world of these beloved tarts, exploring what makes them so irresistible and why they’ve stood the test of time in F...