THE allure of Paris enticed London-based fashion publicist Rachel Khoo to give up her job and move to the City of Light.
There she enrolled in Le Cordon Bleu and began her culinary adventure. Falling in love with both the city and its food led Khoo to immerse herself in French cuisine. Five years later, she is sharing her story in this delightful cookbook.
Putting her own spin on some classic dishes like steak tartar and coq au vin, Khoo shares not only a collection of recipes but also her discovery of them.
Her sense of style pervades the book like the sweet smell of fresh baking and we are brought along for the ride with her as she shops, cooks and explores her way throughout the city. The food is beautifully
photographed by David Loftus, but he provides much more than food pictures as he documents Khoo's experiences both in and out of the kitchen.
The recipes are divided into seven chapters: Everyday Cooking, Snack Time, Summer Picnics, Aperitifs, Dinner with Friends and Family, Sweet Treats, and French Basics.
Each recipe is presented with Khoo's description of her connection to the dish, followed by her detailed cooking instructions. It is soon apparent that the cliché of butter-laden, overly complicated French cooking is not the case.
With her easygoing writing and willingness to be the subject for Loftus' lens, Khoo manages to make this feel like a shared personal journey.
