When I was setting up in my little apartment in Marseille, I instantly perceived the absolutely delicious aroma that continuously wafted up my street! I felt as if the whole neighbourhood smelt of Froot Loops.

I remember going out on the streets in search of the place from where this delicious aroma wafted. And this is how I was pleasantly surprised to discover that I lived right next to a biscuit factory! Yum!
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Every summer, Aubagne, a small town in the south of France, next to Marseille, organises the Argilla festival, the largest pottery market in France.

This summer, the timing was perfect because I just happened to be looking for small bowls in which to serve olives, tapas and other snacks during an aperitif.

What’s more, since I love deco items as much as good food, I was on the lookout for crockery that would make the food really stand out. So I took off for Aubagne in search of the perfect aperitif service!
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As I was telling you, ask anyone in Portugal and they will tell you that Pinhais & CA.LDA. canned sardines are the best in the world.

Well, thanks to the people I met onsite (and by chance), I came across two guys, Zac and Tomàs, who use these canned sardines in an ingenious way.
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Canned food and gastronomy rarely go hand in hand, yet in Pinhais & CA., LDA , canned fish are, even today, traditionally prepared with the greatest attention to quality. Legend has it that even their preserves are the best in the world
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The Portuguese are famed for being major cod (bacalhau) eaters… and after having stayed in their country for 10 days, I can definitely confirm that this is not just a cliché!

Cod is always present on the menu. And yet, the Portuguese never tire of it because they know how to prepare and serve it in 1001 different ways.
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Although there are some major port wine-producing companies, nowadays much smaller producers are becoming more and more prominent.

I was lucky enough to visit both types during my course; I visited Taylor’s, Quinta de Baldias and Quevedo.

Taylor’s is one of the largest port wine companies and it is also the oldest. It has been producing port wine since 1692! Quinta de Baldias and Quevedo are much smaller producers.

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What is most impressive at the Istituto dos Vinhos do Douro e Porto (IVDP) is the attention with which each bottle of port wine is inspected.

An entire team is responsible for sensory analysis and quality control. These employees ensure that each port wine is correctly classified and is deserving of its «titles».

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