An Evening at the American Library in Paris

 

I had so much fun last week at my book event at the American Library in Paris with Patricia Wells that I couldn’t resist sharing a few photos. As you can see, we shared a lot of laughs with a lovely crowd of Francophiles. I saw so many familiar faces in the audience that I immediately felt right at home.

Patricia and I divided the evening in half and interviewed each other. She asked me about my experiences writing fiction versus nonfiction (and a few other excellent questions). I quizzed her all about how she got started as a food writer and loved learning about the inspiration behind her newest book, The French Kitchen Cookbook. At the end of the program, we trotted out a James Lipton-esque series of rapid fire questions-and-answers that I’m delighted to share here*:

Who are your cooking heros?

PW: Julia Child, Joël Robouchon.

AM: Julia Child, Brillat-Savarin, Marcel Pagnol.

Fine dining or home cooking?

PW: There’s a place for both, depending the situation.

AM: Home cooking — especially if someone else is cooking.

Favorite comfort food?

PW: Pizza. We have the homemade version down to an art in our house.

AM: Toast.

Favorite city to eat in outside of France?

PW: San Sebastian.

AM: Barcelona. Or Hong Kong.

Favorite season for produce?

PW: Spring. Asparagus!

AM: Spring. Strawberries!

Favorite music for cooking?

PW: Jazz.

AM: Jazz, especially TSF Jazz.

*Answers are reproduced from my rattled memory.

Heartfelt thanks to all who came (in body or spirit) — I loved meeting you! And my deepest gratitude to those who bought (or brought) books and asked me to sign them.  I’m delighted to report that we sold out, which is pretty much the best thing I’ve typed this year.

Hungry for more? These two bloggers have more dish:

–Marjorie Williams (the author of Markets of Paris) wrote this charming post.

–Kristin Espinasse from French Word-a-Day spins this funny tale about the evening.

–Finally, the fifth edition of Patricia’s fantastic Food Lover’s Guide to Paris is coming out on March 11! This is a must-have book for any visitor to Paris.

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