Bonjour French Market Friends,
This week in France in the City of Lyon the 20th Festival Lumiere is being held. This Cinematographic Festival is named after the Lumiere brothers Louis and Auguste from Lyon, who invented the Cinematographe which was a camera, a projector and a film printer all in one. They filmed the first films and gave the first cinema performances in Paris December 1895. This Festival gives homage to classic films and recognises the achievements of many participants in the industry.
Famous film industry representatives gather to discuss their roles and subsequently to party afterwards. This year Isabelle Hupert, one of the most famous French actresses was nominated for the ultimate Lumiere Award 2024.
The closing Film will be a restored version of Plein Soleil (Purple Noon) made in 1960, in honour of the great French actor Alain Delon. This film was the first of the films made about the con artist Tom Ripley, based on a story written by Patricia Highsmith, which was recreated into subsequent film versions and now is a series on Netflix. Do remember that French films are regularly shown at the Alliance Francaise du Cap next film is on 24th October and entrance is free. If you woud like to learn more about French classes there is an Open day at the Alliance tomorrow 19th October see www.afcapetown.co.za
Back here in Cape Town “Lumiere” was provided by a full Hunters moon illuminating the sea early this morning (while I typed this letter). This week our cheese flew in direct with Air France and is safely ensconced in our fridges. We have lots of stock pf everyone’s favourite cheeses including the decadent triple cream Delice, pungent washed rind Epoisses from Burgundy, Munster from Alsace, Pont l’Eveque from Normandie. Lots of little Camemberts and Reblochons, wheels of Brie de Meaux, Tomme de Savoie, huge wdges of Beaufort d Ete, Comte du jura, Morbier and Raclette. There is a cheese to suit everyone’s taste. We are busy planning the schedules for the Christmas period so please pre order if you would like specialities such as the Mont D’Or and Pouligny St Pierre as I bring in a limited quantity.
In our fresh produce range the artichoke season is continuing, and we have a small quantity of locally grown white asparagus. Broad beans and rhubarb are also in season, in addition to the regular fruit and vegetables.
In our dry goods range we have received new stock of the Pain D’Epice, (spiced bread) this is a loaf of lightly spiced, sweet cake, that can be eaten as is or sliced, lightly toasted and spread with butter. We have a new stock of the small packs of Truffle chips from Spain.
In preparation for the Festive season, we have received a new range of the Clement Faugier Marrons – Chestnut products from the Ardeche. Centuries ago, this stony ground region, where wheat could not be grown, was planted with chestnuts trees by the kings of France to create nutritional flour from the chestnuts, to feed the local inhabitants. Nowadays the gluten free and high nutritional value of chestnuts is recognised, from sports people to school children. We have whole cooked and peeled chestnuts, pureed chestnuts and creme de Marron. The tubes of crème de marron which is a sweetened chestnut paste are practical to pop in a backpack for a cycle race or a snack at school. We have whole cooked and peeled chestnuts, chestnut puree and sweetened chestnut crème.
These chestnut forests are harvested in November. There are festivals to celebrate the harvest in the local towns where chestnuts are roasted in the streets. Whilst there are many different recipes using chestnuts, this week I am sharing a Chestnut cake recipe, which is traditionally served during the Festive season. Accompany the cake with a bowl of crème fraiche this complements the sweetness of the cake. This recipe comes from my favourite Good French Cooking book by Mapie, Comtesse de Toulouse-Lautrec. I suggest pairing with a glass of Champagne Le Mesnil Blanc de Blanc Grand Cru available at our shop. I wish you a good weekend full of good food shared with your family and friends.Regards Suzanne and The French Market Team