Fabulously Delicious: The French Food Podcast

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

  Send us a textLa Tour d’Argent: Paris’s Legendary Duck RestaurantFew 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 inn that would grow — over generations — into La Tour d’Argent. From the early royal patrons who dined there to the dramatic changes brought by Parisian history, the restaurant’s journey is as rich as the dishes it serves. You’ll learn about its many claimed addresses, the stories behind its shimmering name, and how it became a destination for gourmands around the world.This episode also dives deep into the personalities who shaped La Tour d’Argent: Frédéric Delair, the man who invented the legend of the numbered ducks; André Terrail, who redefined the restaurant in the early 20th century; Claude Terrail, who carried it through war and into global fame; and André Terrail II, who steers the restaurant today. Along the way, we uncover the secrets of its extraordinary wine cellar, explore its signature dishes, and celebrate the celebrities, artists, leaders, and food lovers who have all found their way to its tables.From Michelin stars to royal anecdotes, theatrical tableside preparations to timeless Parisian elegance, La Tour d’Argent is more than a restaurant — it’s a living chapter of French culinary history. Join Andrew as he brings this remarkable story to life, one delicious detail at a time.Support the showMy book Paris: A Fabulous Food Guide to the World’s Most Delicious City is your ultimate companion. You’ll find hand-picked recommendations for the best boulangeries, patisseries, wine bars, cafés, and restaurants that truly capture the flavor of Paris. You can order it online at andrewpriorfabulously.com For those who want to take things further, why not come cook with me here in Montmorillon, in the heart of France’s Vienne region? Combine hands-on French cooking classes with exploring charming markets, tasting regional specialties, and soaking up the slow, beautiful pace of French countryside life. Find all the details at andrewpriorfabulously.com You can help keep the show thriving by becoming a monthly supporter. Your support helps me create more episodes celebrating French food, history & culture. Here's the listener support link. Every contribution makes a huge difference. Merci beaucoup! Newsletter Youtube Instagram Facebook Website

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

  Send us a textPérigord: The Land of Truffles, Duck, and Autumn RichesDiscover 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 earthy black truffle, the luxurious foie gras, golden walnuts and chestnuts, and the sweet Périgord strawberries that capture the taste of summer. Discover traditional dishes like confit de canard, pommes de terre sarladaises, and tarte aux noix — recipes passed down through generations and still celebrated on tables across France today.Along the way, we’ll meet some of the region’s most inspiring chefs and restaurants — from Vincent Arnould’s refined Michelin-starred creations to the elegant riverside dining at Le Moulin de l’Abbaye. Plus, we’ll visit the vibrant food festivals that bring the community together each year, celebrating everything from truffles and walnuts to Monbazillac wines and local liqueurs.Whether you’re dreaming of a trip to France or simply love learning about French food culture, this episode will transport you to the rolling hills, bustling markets, and rich flavours of the Périgord. So pour a glass of wine, grab a slice of crusty bread, and join Andrew for another fabulously delicious adventure through the tastes and traditions of France.Support the showMy book Paris: A Fabulous Food Guide to the World’s Most Delicious City is your ultimate companion. You’ll find hand-picked recommendations for the best boulangeries, patisseries, wine bars, cafés, and restaurants that truly capture the flavor of Paris. You can order it online at andrewpriorfabulously.com For those who want to take things further, why not come cook with me here in Montmorillon, in the heart of France’s Vienne region? Combine hands-on French cooking classes with exploring charming markets, tasting regional specialties, and soaking up the slow, beautiful pace of French countryside life. Find all the details at andrewpriorfabulously.com You can help keep the show thriving by becoming a monthly supporter. Your support helps me create more episodes celebrating French food, history & culture. Here's the listener support link. Every contribution makes a huge difference. Merci beaucoup! Newsletter Youtube Instagram Facebook Website

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

  Send us a textRevisit A to Z of French Herbs - Bay Leaves - Feuilles de LaurierIn 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 traditional bouquet garni, its symbolic meaning in French culture, and why chefs from Michelin-starred kitchens to rustic French farmhouses swear by its subtle but powerful aroma.From Provence to Paris, the Bay Leaf connects generations of French cooks through its versatility and depth of flavour. Whether it’s simmering in a comforting pot-au-feu, adding warmth to a daube provençale, or bringing complexity to a creamy béchamel, this herb proves that sometimes the quietest ingredients make the loudest impact.So pour yourself a glass of wine, grab a piece of baguette, and join Andrew for a deliciously fragrant journey into the world of Bay Leaves — a reminder that in French cuisine, even the smallest touch can make something truly fabulously delicious.Support the showMy book Paris: A Fabulous Food Guide to the World’s Most Delicious City is your ultimate companion. You’ll find hand-picked recommendations for the best boulangeries, patisseries, wine bars, cafés, and restaurants that truly capture the flavor of Paris. You can order it online at andrewpriorfabulously.com For those who want to take things further, why not come cook with me here in Montmorillon, in the heart of France’s Vienne region? Combine hands-on French cooking classes with exploring charming markets, tasting regional specialties, and soaking up the slow, beautiful pace of French countryside life. Find all the details at andrewpriorfabulously.com You can help keep the show thriving by becoming a monthly supporter. Your support helps me create more episodes celebrating French food, history & culture. Here's the listener support link. Every contribution makes a huge difference. Merci beaucoup! Newsletter Youtube Instagram Facebook Website

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• The Story of Charles Ranhofer

  Send us a textThe Story of Charles RanhoferStep 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 ambition, creativity, and the enduring influence of French gastronomy on American fine dining.At Delmonico’s, Ranhofer became a culinary legend. He created and popularized iconic dishes such as Lobster Newbergand Baked Alaska, while naming others after the greats of his day — from Charles Dickens to Sarah Bernhardt and President Grover Cleveland. With every dish, he combined French precision with theatrical flair, making dining at Delmonico’s an experience unlike any other. He didn’t just cook meals — he told stories on a plate, transforming each course into a celebration of art, culture, and history.Ranhofer’s genius extended beyond the kitchen. In 1894, he published The Epicurean, an enormous 1,000-page Franco-American culinary encyclopedia that revealed the secrets of fine French cookery to a new world of chefs and home cooks. Comparable in scope to Auguste Escoffier’s Le Guide Culinaire, this monumental work cemented his place as one of the most influential chefs of the 19th century. His dedication to refinement and innovation helped define how America came to understand and appreciate French cuisine.In this episode, host Andrew Prior takes you through the life, legacy, and lasting impact of Charles Ranhofer — from his early days in Saint-Denis to his grand banquets for presidents and princes. Discover how this remarkable French chef shaped American gastronomy, inspired generations of cooks, and left behind a legacy that continues to influence how we dine today. So pour yourself a glass of wine, slice a piece of fine cheese, and join us as we celebrate the fabulous story of Charles Ranhofer — thSupport the showMy book Paris: A Fabulous Food Guide to the World’s Most Delicious City is your ultimate companion. You’ll find hand-picked recommendations for the best boulangeries, patisseries, wine bars, cafés, and restaurants that truly capture the flavor of Paris. You can order it online at andrewpriorfabulously.com For those who want to take things further, why not come cook with me here in Montmorillon, in the heart of France’s Vienne region? Combine hands-on French cooking classes with exploring charming markets, tasting regional specialties, and soaking up the slow, beautiful pace of French countryside life. Find all the details at andrewpriorfabulously.com You can help keep the show thriving by becoming a monthly supporter. Your support helps me create more episodes celebrating French food, history & culture. Here's the listener support link. Every contribution makes a huge difference. Merci beaucoup! Newsletter Youtube Instagram Facebook Website

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• En Croûte: When the French Wrap Food in Pastry

  Send us a textEn Croûte: When the French Wrap Food in PastryWhat 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 explore the fascinating history of this technique — from its humble medieval beginnings as a way to preserve and protect food, to its transformation into a symbol of French refinement and celebration. You’ll hear how legendary chefs like Marie-Antoine Carême turned en croûte into edible art, and how the tradition has continued to evolve in modern French kitchens, from Michelin-starred restaurants to village boulangeries.Along the way, we’ll uncover the secrets behind a perfect golden crust, talk about famous dishes that owe their success to this technique (yes, even the beloved Beef Wellington), and celebrate the creativity that makes en croûte such a timeless part of French gastronomy. Whether you’re a home cook, a pastry lover, or simply curious about what’s hiding under that golden crust, this episode is for you.So pour yourself a glass of wine, imagine the smell of buttery pastry wafting through the air, and join me, Andrew Prior, as we dive into the fabulously delicious world of En Croûte: When the French Wrap Food in Pastry.Support the showMy book Paris: A Fabulous Food Guide to the World’s Most Delicious City is your ultimate companion. You’ll find hand-picked recommendations for the best boulangeries, patisseries, wine bars, cafés, and restaurants that truly capture the flavor of Paris. You can order it online at andrewpriorfabulously.com For those who want to take things further, why not come cook with me here in Montmorillon, in the heart of France’s Vienne region? Combine hands-on French cooking classes with exploring charming markets, tasting regional specialties, and soaking up the slow, beautiful pace of French countryside life. Find all the details at andrewpriorfabulously.com You can help keep the show thriving by becoming a monthly supporter. Your support helps me create more episodes celebrating French food, history & culture. Here's the listener support link. Every contribution makes a huge difference. Merci beaucoup! Newsletter Youtube Instagram Facebook Website

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