Burgundy Country

Burgundy is a province of France which lies to the south and east of Paris. It is a place renowned for its food and wine and the place where I enjoyed what was perhaps the best meal I ever had. 

I was traveling back to Montreal from Geneva with a connection in Paris. Normally, I would have taken the short flight to Paris but this time decided to take the train which ran right through Burgundy country. In those days one could buy a ticket to Paris but overnight anywhere along the route then continue on the next day. My Michelin guide recommended a place called the Hotel St.  George in Chalon-sur-Saone. It turned out that both the hotel and restaurant were at the train station and both were absolutely first class. Burgundy was like that...full of pleasant surprises, including the waiter at the restaurant informing me that I was no longer in Paris…but in France!.

This week at MC, we are going to offer a dish inspired by the country stews of Burgundy: a pork stew cooked in white wine. I was actually introduced to this dish by the Lao wife of an American friend of mine. She formerly worked for L’Alliance Francaise in Vientiane and spoke the most beautiful French. She was also clearly influenced by the French country cooking so exemplified in Burgundy.

So drop on over on Friday, 13 May for a culinary excursion to the French countryside. Santé!