When award winning Australian television food presenter and author, Maeve O’Meara and Parisian-born Chef Guillaume Brahimi called from down under asking for help in meeting the best in the business to film their top rated French Food Safari television series – I was thrilled to be able to call in food friends to assist. In each series, Maeve travels the world to bring viewers closer to the heart of each cuisine that represents the immigrants of Australia.
For her French excursion, she brought Brahimi with her since he was born here and has worked as Chef de Partie at La Tour d’Argent and trained with Joël Robuchon at Robuchon’s Jamin restaurant, all before the age of 19. Guillaume is currently head chef of his namesake restaurant Guillaume at Bennelong, located at the Sydney Opera House.
Filmed all over France during a 6-week period last fall, the 9-episode series is now airing in Australia – where we take you behind the scenes with culinary masters that you might not otherwise get a chance to see.
Over the course of the series, you’ll meet three Michelin star Chefs Alain Ducasse and Guy Savoy who discuss the organization of the team in the kitchen, Fabrice le Bourdat at Blé Sucre makes his famous madeleines and croissants, Jean-Yves Bordier shares his secrets on his hand-churned butter, Pierre Hermé makes his incredible savory macarons, Yves Camdeborde cooks for us at Le Comptoir and Affineur Laurent-Dubois takes us to his cellars for a cheese tasting… that’s just for starters! We also make charcuterie and chocolate before a visit with Paul Bocuse in Lyon, foie gras in the southwest, chicken in Bresse, truffle hunting in Provence, etc.
International licensing rights prevents most viewers from watching the series online – so I’m posting one of the episodes from Youtube with none other than my friend and competitor in pétanque, renowned baker Jean-Luc Poujauran. He no longer sells breads from his bakery but does supply the better bistros and restaurants in Paris, preferring to stay quietly behind the scenes – instead of in front of the camera. He bristles at the phrase rock star baker, but he most definitely is. Thanks buddy, (the crew said spending time with you was magical) and a sincere thank you to the SBS team and all of the culinary masters who generously gave of their time and expertise for this series.
The Secret to Great Bread:
Watch interviews with both Maeve and Guillaume on filming the French series of Food Safari:
http://www.sbs.com.au/shows/frenchfoodsafari/listings/detail/i/1/article/8431/Maeve-O-Meara
http://www.sbs.com.au/shows/frenchfoodsafari/listings/detail/i/1/article/8436/Guillaume-Brahimi
Hi Wendy, Enjoyed last weeks episode…. look forward to seeing the rest!
We’re watching it RIGHT NOW in Australia! Reminds us of our fantastic time with you. Greg
Merci! Great show isn’t it?
Hey we saw your name in the credits of French Food Safari programme that just aired in Australia! Food Safari with Mave O’Meare on France – we both got very excited. Wendi