I flew over mid-December to teach a couple of classes in Portland, which exhibited huge support (Merci, Portland) for the fine points of French cooking.  Fiona flew in from her home in Utrecht, Holland, and Joe followed on her heels from Annapolis, Maryland. Yes, we are spread all over the map, so occasions to be together are more rare, thus more magical.

 

Every day was a highlight, as siblings and friends gathered round, from the inimitable family friend David Kobos (he brought fine coffee to Portland in the 1970’s) who recited Jabez Dawz and Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout Would Not Take the Garbage Out with such skill, alacrity and humor that  we were all doubled over in laughter and delight.

I was  also able to re-live the fine “sun’s over the yardarm” ritual, so well known from my parents’ generation. Thanks to Charles Malody (he wrote  How to Drink Well: The Essential Social Grace which will be in book stores in 2019) and his wife Karen, who hosted us, I sampled a new cocktail each night, my favorite being a tart, herbal wonder based on the Jasmine, called Beauty on a Razor’s Edge

After such an inspirational time, I’ve compiled a “best of” from 2018, to share with you.  I’d love to hear your best ofs; too.

Best Thing:  My children are healthy and thriving

‘Next Best Thing: Publication of FRENCH GRILL

Third Best Thing:  getting a contract for PLAT DU JOUR

Fourth Best Thing:  I’m back living in Paris part-time

Best Quote, from my mother: “My new motto: Stand Tall, Be Still, Watch for Signs” (lifted from Standing Bear in the Craig Johnson mysteries).

 

Best What’s App from Fiona: “Here’s a photo from under the microscope of the gastropods I’m studying.”

Best Family Event of the Year: Joe’s graduation from St. Johns College, Annapolis!

Best Question/Response from Joe: “Mom, what’s an easy dessert I can take to friends’ on Friday? “ To the response of “Flourless chocolate cake from FRENCH GRILL” he says:  “That’s the perfect dessert, Mom, thanks.  I’m probably just going to buy one, tbh.”

Best Throwback Dish:  Beef Wellington, made by my brother John Herrmann

Best Set of Tweets: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trader-joes-funny-tweets_n_5c1412d9e4b05d7e5d81efc7

Best (and biggest)  Kale Ever:

Best Movie: Leto

Best Project: tasting butter with students from Ferrandi

Best Cooking Class: All of them! Merci to you all for coming, cooking, laughing, tasting!  More fun to come this year!

Other Best Project: Speaking at Melissa’s Produce, L.A.

Best L.A. Moment: sitting on the terrace overlooking the Valley, sipping White Burgundy with Cathy Arkle 

Best Grill Class: Arlington, Virginia (merci Eileen and Betsy)

Best Musical: A Bronx Tale, Pantages, Hollywood

Best Concert: Paul Simon, in Antwerp

Best hiking trip: in the Savoie

 

Second Best hiking Trip:  around the coast of Brittany

Best Meal: all of them because I get to eat and so many don’t

Best Cheese: 48 month old Comté from Quatrehomme

Best Books: The Sympathizer, by Viet Than Nguyen and Dans Les Forets de Sibérie by Sylvain Tesson

Best view: out my apartment window over the roofs of Paris

Best recipe:  impossible to qualify, but I’m going to share a delicious one here which will be part of the PLAT DU JOUR Collection, for Lamb Parmentier (Note: anything with the word Parmentier has potatoes in it, thanks to Auguste Parmentier who introduced the tuber to the French in the 1800’s.)

I wish you all a wonderful 2019.  I will be giving more classes in Paris as the year progresses, so please stay tuned.  Meanwhile, classes in Louviers are on and wonderful. Sign up for the tastiest time of your life!

 

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