Whether I’m on a festival stage, leading a tasting in a friendly wine bar, or guiding a small group through the markets of Bayonne, my aim is always the same: to send people away feeling inspired, knowledgeable and well-fed. I bring the same warmth, rigour and love for the subject to every event, however large or small.
I’m based in the UK and available for engagements across the UK, France and selected international events.
Whether I’m on a festival stage, leading a tasting in a candlelit cellar or guiding a small group through the markets of Lyon, my aim is always the same: to send people away feeling inspired, knowledgeable and well-fed. I bring the same warmth, rigour and love for the subject to every event, however large or small.
I’m based in the UK and available for engagements across the UK, France and selected international events.
The Basque Country, straddling the mountains and coast between Spain and France has gathered a world-class reputation for its unique cuisine, which combines influences from both neighbours with fresh local ingredients from the land and sea. I am delighted to be leading another group to the French Basque Country to discover its myriad ingredients and specialities, such as Espelette pepper, Gateau Basque and the macaron that was created for the 17th century marriage of a king and a queen.
★ “In conversation with” Michèle Roberts at Daunt’s Book Festival
★ Amuse Bouche talk and tasting, Cheltenham Literature Festival
★ Culinary tour leader, Kirker Holidays – Lille, French Basque Country and Lyon
★ BBC Radio 4’s The Food Programme – contributor The World’s Historic Restaurants (25-4-2025)
★ Amuse Bouche book tour – speaker at Toppings Bookshop Bath and independent bookshops across the UK, including collaborative events with cheese expert Ned Palmer
★ Panellist on French gastronomic heritage, Explore France Festival at the Institut Français, London
★ Interviewing Raymond Blanc on stage at the National Geographic Traveller Food Festival, to an audience of more than 300
My tastings take audiences on a journey through France via its flavours. Take a bite of nutty Comté cheese and we’ll take a virtual journey to the cathedral of Comté in the Jura mountains. Try a macaron d’Amiens and you’ll learn how Catherine de Medici’s Italian court influenced French cuisine; and a slice of apple tart will take you to the blazing colours of autumn in Normandy. Every flavour and every story will transport you to a fascinating place.
I can lead French cheese tastings, and broader French food tastings combining a range of regional products, from across France or centred on a particular region. I can tailor tastings to your audience, venue and brief; from intimate supper clubs in collaboration with chefs, to food festival stages.
I also speak at book festivals, literary events and food conferences on subjects including French food history, understanding terroir and flavour, field-to-fork cuisine, France’s food systems and the art of writing about food and travel. I can lead insightful interviews or fireside chats with fellow experts or writers, or be an entertaining voice on a panel.
My combination of deep food knowledge, professional culinary world connections and communication expertise makes me an unusual and valuable collaborator for chefs, culinary schools, food producers and hospitality brands. Whether you need authoritative content, a knowledgeable host, a tasting leader or a creative partner for a food experience, I would love to talk.
As well as events in the UK, I work with Kirker Holidays, one of the UK’s most respected specialist operators, to devise and lead food tours. Each trip is built around my expertise and contacts in each region and is designed to give clients genuine insight into the food culture of a region, its producers, its restaurants and its markets.
Recent tours have included a festive food and drink trip to Lille and a gastronomic journey through the French Basque Country, with a Lyon tour scheduled for autumn 2027 and further tours in development.
If you represent a tour operator, holiday company or retreat and would like to discuss designing a bespoke French culinary experience, contact me below.
If you’re a chef, food producer, culinary school, festival, venue or brand with an idea that involves French food and someone who can bring it to life with knowledge, warmth and a flair for inspiring audiences – I’d love to hear from you.
