CONFECTIONING MACARONS WITH THE PROS

Who can resist the macaron? Two airy, meringue-like cookies (there's some almond powder thrown in for good measure) sandwiched around a creamy ganache filling. Today, March 20, is feted across France, and other sweet-tooth countries, to honour these addictive confections. Started in 2005 by celebrated pasty chef and chocolatier Pierre Hermé to raise funds for cystic fibrosis, the honorary day is known as Jour du macaron or "International Macaron Day." In this post, I share my experience meeting the illustrious Macaron Man and making macarons for this first time. It was a sweet day indeed.

THE GLORY OF K-BBQ, A.K.A. KOREAN BARBECUE 

Affectionately dubbed as K-BBQ - just like K-pop (Korean pop music) or K-beauty (Korean cosmetics and skincare) - Korean barbecues are tiny carnivorous feasts grilled right at your table over a central bed of hot charcoal. Oh sure, I had eaten at K-BBQ restaurants before (namely in Los Angeles, Berlin and Toronto), but never before in South Korea. So coming to Seoul for the first time and indulging at a galbijip in its Motherland was not only a big check off my foodie bucket list, it was also a major highlight of my trip to Seoul. 

IN CELEBRATION OF MY FAVOURITE FRUIT, AFTER BANANAS

In case you didn't know, February 27 is Strawberry Day. I'm unclear as to the origins of this "holiday", but as a devoted strawberry fan I thought it my duty to share with you some fun strawberry trivia, my best strawberry desserts - and the restaurants where I ate them/patisseries where I bought them. 

STREET FOOD, MARKET FARE & OTHER QUICK AND EASY BITES

Last spring, I ventured from one foodie capital to another, my home in Paris to Seoul. Of course, there were many must-see sights on my checklist (about which I will rave in another post), but let's be honest, the main motivation during my trip to South Korea was based on food. The following are select culinary highlights of my Korean-food fest. In parts 2 and 3, I will rave about Korean BBQ joints and Seoul's (newly minted) Michelin star restaurants; but, first things first, let's chow down on the fast, tasty treats.

ON THE MENU: ROMANCE AND 3 MICHELIN STARS

Last fall, my husband and I dined at Guy Savoy's eponymous restaurant in Paris. We were celebrating our anniversary (plus a major achievement on my better half's part), and so had chosen this esteemed address to underscore our evening as extra special.