The Very Hungry Frenchman Revisited

Hello friends

For the last five weeks, the BBC has repeated The Very Hungry Frenchman, the series we made earlier this year in which I travelled to different regions of France, along with my two young chefs, Kush and Katie Beth. We looked at the produce, the artisans, the terroir of each region - the wines, the producers and the different elements which go to make up the cuisine of these different areas.

I am so pleased to see this programme repeated. It was made with such love, such feeling and we have had the most wonderful feedback. During our travels, we attempted to introduce our viewers to new and different areas of France - including my own home in Franche-Comté - and to discover the real France.



Throughout the programme we have looked at the importance of food, of landscape, of craft, of terroir; of life: how all these things connect. To shop and cook and eat according to the seasons, according to what is local, and sustainable: these are the principles we should all attempt to live by.



The effects of the programme were extraordinary: sales of Comté cheese rocketed (and many supermarkets completely sold out!); vin Jaune - the wonderful yellow wine from the Jura near my home - is now widely available in this country. I have had so many letters and emails from viewers saying how they have been inspired to cook, to try new foods, and to discover new regions of France. This makes me so happy: thank you all for your kind words.

I have just finished recording a contribution to the new series of the Great British Food Revival. This great programme has exactly the same principles at its heart - let's eat seasonally, locally. I have no problem in promoting the best of British food - there is no betrayal here. This is what is dearest to me. Let us all continue to try and create a cleaner, happier nation.

Best to you all

RB

PS Please tell me what you think of my blogs and my website: I want to hear from you!

The DVD of Raymond Blanc's hugely successful five part series - The Very Hungry Frenchman - broadcast on BBC2 earlier this year, is now on sale.

To purchase your copy from Amazon, please click on the link below:

www.amazon.co.uk/The-Very-Hungry-Frenchman-DVD

If you would like a signed copy of the DVD, this can be ordered via Le Manoir's website. Please click on the link below and request a signed copy in the 'special instructions' box at checkout:

www.manoir.com/gift_shop

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