Gilles' Golden Rooster

Gilles Diglé, Vaison la Romaine's butcher and very popular caterer was awarded the "Coq d'Or" (Golden Rooster) by the French Guide Gourmand. Gilles received this honour, which in France is taken very seriously for his delicious olive sausage called Pontias. If ever you come to Vaison go and taste it, it is worth it!
And if you want to celebrate a big party you can't do better than to ask Gilles to prepare his famous Paëlla.

Gilles prepares his famous Paëlla

A feast not only for the eyes - Gilles' Paëlla

Wine Harvest in Villedieu

Arriving at the Wine Cooperative "Caveau des Templiers" in Villedieu today the first thing I noticed was the smell - sweet and almost intoxicating. The wine harvest has begun! A steady queue of agricultural pickups were waiting to unload the Côte du Rhone grapes that had been picked this afternoon and there were lots of happy faces. After a hot summer and just the right amount of rain the 2010 wine promises to be a real good vintage! I will keep you posted on the results!

Unloading the grapes

The grapes are weighed....

.... then crushed

Lost in St. Maxime

Look what I found in St. Maxime yesterday - Santa got lost on the Côte d'Azur! Or how else would you explain this "petit bonhomme" guarding the beautiful fruit display? I have seen a lot of early Christmas decorations but this is sort of ridiculous don't you think so, too?

Three Barbaras in one Kitchen

Today we were three Barbaras in my kitchen! These two lovely ladies from California are spending their vacation exploring Provence. Of course this also includes exploring the food and wines of Provence and this is how they came to visit Cuisine de Provence. It seems all Barbaras share some characteristics - we all like to talk and laugh a lot and we love to eat! We had a great time preparing all those Provençal recipes - thank you Barbara and Barbara (also for the Californian dates you brought - they are delicious)!

If you're going to Avignon...

...anytime soon, whatever you do, don't miss the wonderful exhibition of the Spanish (or, to be precise, Catalan) artist Miquel Barcelo at the Collection Lambert, the only museum of contemporary art in Provence worth a visit. Although one could image that this fantastic and much photographed sculpture right in front of the Pope's Palace would lead the crowds into the exhibition, yesterday and from what I hear most days Barcelo's paintings and sculptures can be enjoyed without any queuing at all.

Having fun in front of the Pope's Palace

Barcelo's Elephant

The show is still on until november 7th and right now there are big discussions going on in Avignon whether to keep the elephant or not. Just in case anyone is interested: my vote goes towards keeping him - seems he makes everyone smile and that can only be a good thing, right?

Collection Lambert, 5 Rue Violette, 84000 Avignon, Tuesday to Sunday 11am to 6 pm