289: Anne Willan Talks About Women in the Kitchen

"The thread of all good cooking: the right ingredients, fresh and the way they should be - not fancy or expensive." —Anne Willan, author of Women in the Kitchen and founder of La Varenne Cooking School in Paris

One of the world's preeminent authors on French cooking, a James Beard Award-winning author and the founder of La Varenne Cooking School in Paris, Anne Willan joins me on the podcast today to talk about her new book Women in the Kitchen: Twelve Essential cookbook Writers Who Defined the Way We Eat, from 1661 to Today.

In today's episode we will talk about seven of the women featured in the book, as well as talk about Anne's time managing and founding La Varenne and much more.

Anne Willan's Petit Plaisirs:

  • The bakery Anne recommended - Evelina's Patisserie (London)

  • Find Anne's favorite macaroons at Fortnum & Mason in London

  • Anne's tea preferences: herbal teas, Twinings, Pukka and Yogi tea (no milk :))

  • Anne enjoys a piece of shortbread with her cup of tea, and Walkers Shortbread is recommended (shop here as well)

  • A delicious slice or two of cheese (just nothing stinky)

As many listeners/readers will know, Anne Willan has written many cookbooks over the years, so if you like myself did not have the opportunity to attend classes at La Varenne at one of its locations in France, rest assured, the cookbooks will offer the wisdom and cooking expertise you are looking for from French chefs specialized in their field of culinary expertise. I have listed her most recent which was the primary focus of our conversation today below as well as a handful of others, many of which are in my library and I highly recommend.

Cookbooks and Memoirs written by Anne Willan:

Women in the Kitchen (August 2020)


~The Simple Sophisticate, episode #289

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The simple sophisticate is someone who prefers quality over quantity, sensible living over mindless consumption, personal style instead of trendy fashions, has an insatiable curiosity for life’s endless questions and a desire to live a truly fulfilling life rather than being led around by the nose. Inspired by her lifestyle blog The Simply Luxurious Life, Shannon Ables (the original Simple Sophisticate) shares with listeners tips on how to live a refined life on an everyday income, a life of true contentment. Founded on the principle of the art of living a life of quality over quantity, episodes explore topics ranging from creating an everyday life you love living, strengthening mindfulness practices, preparing seasonally delicious meals, building a capsule wardrobe, traveling the world (Francophiles and Anglophiles tune in as Paris as well as the English countryside are favorite destinations), and living life to the fullest without breaking the bank because living well is really quite simple. *illustration by artist Sarah Löcker exclusively commissioned for the show