UNESCO has added gastronomy to it's list of 'intangible world heritage'. French gastronomy is viewed as a "social custom aimed at celebrating the most important moments in the lives of individuals and groups"
In an interview on NPR, the reporter asked, 'Does French cuisine need to be protected?' Apparently not, but just in case McDo and Picard start to gain strength in the country, better to protect the sacred French meal now. Gastronomy is not just about food, but also "how wines are paired with dishes, how the table is dressed, the precise placing of glasses, for water, red and white wine, knife blade pointing in and fork tines down..."
Well you don't have to convince me. While I might not get to make a 4 course meal every night, a little wine and cheese at the end of dinner is a delicious way to end a meal. If I tell my boys to stay at the table, they are getting 'cheese' they patiently wait (they are BTW 18M and 3Y). L knows good cheese from less good cheese. When given the choice between a Camembert and a vache kiri (laughing cow), Camembert is always chosen. Little Z (18M) often steals cheese from A's plate and can be seen giggling at his acquisition.
A couple of weeks ago, we had such a meal. Started out with Foie Gras with wine-poached pears and a balsamic vinaigrette sauce with a Sauterne wine. Then we has duck with rooted vegetables (carrots, turnips, potatoes and garlic) with a Bordeaux wine. Then we had blueberry ice cream with chocolate cake and other dessert goodies with Champagne. There was no cheese. But I am sure if any more good was eaten, we might have exploded. 6 adults, 3 kids it was quite a meal.
I feel like I am going my part to protect French culture;)
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