Cuisine Soignée

Cuisine Soignée - A simple meal made with great care and the best possible ingredients.
~Jacques Pépin



I was thoroughly charmed when I stumbled across the above definition in a recent NY Times article authored by legendary chef Jacques Pépin. Perhaps it was hearing my nom de plume in the context of Pépin's writing.  After all this is a blog about casual elegance and food! In my opinion superb meals are born from a medley of deft artistry and happy accidents. It's safe to say Pépin and Child shared my view.  

Pépin and his dear friend Julia Child are amongst my father's favorite cooks.  I've often heard Dad reminisce about some technique he learned watching them.  The three share a passion for sauces. 

Of course the foodie blog world has long been enamored with the statuesque chef and her distinctive voice.  No offense to the brilliant Nora Ephron, but Hollywood missed an opportunity for true alliterative movie title magic by neglecting to employ the luminous Ms. Streep for "Jacques and Julia" (as opposed to that other vehicle which ultimately materialized).  Pépin's musings about his perfect sidekick and foil are especially poignant.  Read them here.

Bon Appétit!

dani