Jamie Oliver's Food Escapes

Wonderful film – about food to be sure, but also about life in a small French village. I have spent a lot of time in France, mostly in Normandy and Alsace as well as Paris, and, while this village is in many ways quite different, the approach to food is what I remember best. The French, from Michelin 3-star restaurants to the corner bistro, take food seriously. They know what they’re cooking, they know how to cook it, they know and are willing to explain what’s in it. They want you to enjoy your meal and will be deeply saddened if you don’t. They will also make every effort to make certain you do enjoy it. For example, I am allergic to eggs. When we stopped in any French hotel I would first thing go and find the local bakery and explain my problem and ask that they make a special loaf for me in the morning. French baguettes are not made with eggs but are often brushed with dorure, an egg wash, to give them color and sheen. The baker would always agree to have a loaf ready for me in the morning on which only milk would be used as a wash. Another example. Many years ago, when the dollar bought 5 French francs, we treated ourselves to dinner at L'Auberge de l’Ill, a 3-star restaurant in the Alsatian town of Illhaeusern. It is very beautiful in a bucolic setting and is truly one of the great restaurants of the world. We ordered lobster boats to start – a schooner-shaped pastry in a lobster sauce. But first I of course told the waiter of my allergy; he called over the captain, who assured me there would be no egg in my lobster boat. When it was served some time later – of course everything is cooked to order – the sauce sure looked egg-based to me. I asked my wife to taste hers and she agreed there was egg in the sauce. Enormously disappointed – this was a very expensive dish even with the favorable exchange rate – I waved for the captain and told him that I could not eat this dish because, as my wife confirmed, there was clearly egg in it. Oh, Monsieur, he exclaimed, your wife did not indicate that she was allergic to eggs, only you, so of course, while the dish normally is made with eggs, there is not the slightest particle of egg in yours. And indeed there wasn’t. Well, we did not usually eat in 3-star or even 1-star restaurants but in every restaurant in France we always got that kind of knowledgeable and accommodating service. The simple bistros were very like the restaurants in this film where food rules and brings together people from different walks of life. We also noticed the dogs which can be found in all but the fanciest restaurants in France, though they would be absolutely barred in the US or the UK. Most of all the atmosphere of the restaurants Jamie features is spot on and is what makes France different – different from any other place on earth – different in the best possible way.

This was really better than I expected. I really enjoy Jamie and his sensibilities around food and culture, but I only had a lukewarm feeling about this title when I saw it on Prime, but, being a fan, I watched it anyway. Very good, very entertaining as always, very educational. I want to go to the Pyrenees now.

I have never watched Jamie Oliver before this show. I quite enjoyed it. He has a great time embracing the local culture and traditions while cooking. It's authentic. I then googled Jamie and saw the controversy about Jamie slitting a conscious lamb's throat. This series shows some hunting, which I consider the most humane way to eat meat. The animals live the way nature intended before death...in a quick instantaneous shot. And as for the lamb....it's life. It's not cruel to show children and adults a lovingly raised animal that is being slaughtered humanly for supper. I would argue that it is cruel to remain ignorant to the great sacrifice animals give, so that we can enjoy meat. With that honesty comes a profound respect for how great a gift meat is. In this series, Jamie's respect for culture, tradition, cooking and all of the ingredients shines. As does a sincere joy of cooking. I am now a fan.

Interesting!

The honest earthy character of the people. The beautiful natural surroundings. Jamie Oliver creating beautiful French rustic dishes. The visuals of this region. This is just a wonderful story of people, tradition, cooking, eating and connection with each other and nature. Lovely, just lovely. Jamie Oliver is a breath of fresh air!

Always Jamie Oliver books are great gifts

For a real food expert, from proper authentic ingredients, to how food should fit in life, to exciting presentation, no one is better than Jamie Oliver. He is someone to buy into for one's food philosophy. This set of videos is great not only for the items he cooks, but within the context of where the dishes originate. The credits are a bit corny, but the rest is just terrific.

Gift

Great

Well done and very interesting...Jamie is at his culinary best leading the viewer on a wonderful tour of people and food around Europe, the Mediterranean and Marrakech. Casual cooking indoors and out with simple recipes that the locals love. Healthy and heartwarming, some I will try with what local foods I can find.

I knew the series from TV, so I knew what to expect. The only MINUS on this collection: Why 6 DVDs - each film is only about 45Min! 2-3 DVDs would have done it too!

Sealed packaged with no damage to DVD case. Really enjoying this series. Typical Jamie style of breaking down instructions so anyone can follow. I love seeing the different destinations and learning new tips to add to my cooking repertoire

I enjoyed these DVD's because they inspire me, not just for the recipes. Quite, yummy fun.