Amuse Bouche

Reviews / Votes

A perfect balance of history, food, anecdotes and recommendations ... Carolyn's enthusiasm and passion for French gastronomy is legendary -- Michel Roux Jr Carolyn Boyd serves a great feast of a French adventure, and the sweet smell of warm croissants is never far away. Amuse Bouche is wondrous, witty, delicious and fun. Every page made me hungry - so take my advice and pack your napkin! -- Raymond Blanc A brilliantly written book that draws you into booking a trip and explore France even more -- James Martin [A] richly researched and highly readable wander round the regions of France ... a tour de force and essential reading -- 'Best Food and Drink Books of 2024' * The Times * A homage to French cuisine ... Amuse Bouche, Carolyn Boyd's survey of France and its foods, has the voice of a blithe and witty insider * Irish Times * An essential travelling companion for any French road trip ... packed with wonderfully abstruse insider knowledge and tips ... The perfect Christmas gift for any Francophile -- Fiona Beckett, 'Best food books for Christmas' * Club Oenologique * An excellent, up-to-date guide by a fine writer who's really done her homework. She's witty, too * Oldie * Charming, informative, written by an author with a deep knowledge of and love for France, this is part travelogue, part memoir and part recipe book. A wonderful guide to the culinary history of France -- Kate Mosse The woman everyone needs to pop in their suitcase if they're heading to France -- Gilly Smith * Cooking the Books * A delicious bible for greedy Francophiles. Carolyn Boyd's book is comprehensive, hugely engaging and frequently a revelation, even for those of us who think we know the country - its produce, cuisine and traditions, its mores and manners. And its restaurants. Her knowledge is dizzying: I'm genuinely never crossing La Manche again without a copy of this glued to me -- Marina O'Loughlin 'The perfect, deliciously informed read for anyone missing France or dreaming of their first trip. Carolyn's deep love and knowledge of the country and its food culture shines through every page -- Trish Deseine Carolyn Boyd offers you a fun and fascinating guide to eating your way round France. When did you last dunk a rose biscuit into Champagne? Boyd serves up dozens of delicious dishes that will make your mouth water. The book is also jam-packed with fun French history tidbits -- Carol Drinkwater A love letter to the gastronomy of France, rich in anecdote, wisdom and cookery lore. It should, however, carry a warning: every chapter makes you long to up sticks and jump on Eurostar -- Orlando Murrin, author * A Table in the Tarn: Living, Eating and Cooking in South-west France * Witty, wild and wonderful ... a delicious dance round the glories of France at table region by region with an Englishwoman abroad who understands the happiness of cervelle de Canut and tartiflette -- Elisabeth Luard, author * Preserving, Potting and Pickling * This book made me fall in love with France and its food all over again. With her friendly, irresistible writing, Carolyn takes you on a delicious trek through France, unravelling the mysteries of Gallic ingredients and sharing stories that reveal the diversity, history, quirks, magic and joys of culinary life. Discover the chef who uses sweet, pink Roscoff onions in desserts and join the paludiers in Guerande's vast salt marshes as they produce the famous fleur de sel, prized since Roman times. From Brittany and Normandy in the North to Burgundy, Paris and the Loire Valley to Provence and Corsica in the South, enjoy carefully chosen yet sublime recipes along the way, that celebrate the seasonality, simplicity and regionality that defines French cuisine. This is a book to learn, live and love! -- Alain Roux This book is the most delicious combination of history, lore, legend and food, capturing the enormous diversity of French terroir and cuisine. Carolyn Boyd has created a book for every francophile (and even for those who don't know they're francophiles yet - read this and you will be). From the bistrots of Paris to the bouchons of Lyon, she introduces us to French dining, with advice on etiquette so we don't cause an international incident, and some great tips for vegans and vegetarians too. Carolyn knows her Roscoff pink onions from her Roussillon artichokes and she imparts her great knowledge with enormous warmth. This modern guide is the sort of book you will keep by your bedside and in your kitchen too - it contains some wonderful recipes, which impart the true taste of France -- Debora Robertson