Shannon Bennett's France

France_Shannon_Bennett Following smartly on the heels of Shannon Bennett's Paris, is this book, no doubt compiled to placate the rest of the country he so obviously loves with a passion.

As with the former book, Bennett, the greatly loved Melbourne chef whose cuisine pays homage to the country he has visited often, he has once again co-opted the assistance of a band of fellow Franco-philes (listed over two pages in the book) to compile one of the most up-to-date dining guides for this country.

While his cooking and his restaurants in Melbourne are Bennett's major work, he regards this other activity as his 'second life', a legacy for those who follow. "France is my belief in life," he says in the Preface. For those who know his food, this will come as no surprise. They already will have realised that France informs his approach to food and cookery.

In this compact but hefty (over 400-page) book, France's 21 official regions are explored, tasted and described. Not only is the reader transported into the dining rooms of the reviewers' choice restaurants but there are hotel selections and mouth-watering recipes, as well as insider tips, extra information and excellent photography.

This is a book equally appropriate for someone travelling to France as it is for someone simply wishing to curl up and imagine themselves there. It will serve well in the kitchen while cooking, and also to read in a deckchair in the garden.

Either way, it is certain to transport you to the country Shannon Bennett quite plainly adores.

Shannon Bennett's France, a personal guide to fine dining in regional France, by Shannon Bennett & friends, published by Miegunyah Press, www.mup.com.au, November 2011, hardcover, rrp $44.99, ISBN: 978 052 285 58068

- Sally Hammond

Add comment

Www.Foodandtravel.Com.Au - Australia

Best Food Travel Website 2021

foodandtravel.com.au has been awarded

Best Antipodean Culinary Travel Expert, 2019

by the prestigious UK-based magazine...

Ready for a taste treat?

Embark on an unforgettable culinary adventure through the vibrant tapestry of Malaysia.

Led by the charismatic Malaysian ex-pat Chef Wanitha Tanasingam, this intimate journey promises to tantalize your taste buds and ignite your senses, sending you home with memories to last a lifetime.

Find out more....

The flipside of travel...

How not all of it is joyous.