Mastering the Art of French Eating

When journalist Ann Mah's husband is given a diplomatic assignment in Paris, Mah - a lifelong foodie and Francophile - begins plotting gastronomic adventures à deux. Then her husband is called away to Iraq on a yearlong post - alone - overturning Mah's vision of a romantic sojourn in the City of Light. So, not unlike another diplomat's wife, Julia Child, Mah must find a life for herself in a new city.

Journeying through Paris and the surrounding regions, Mah combats her loneliness by seeking out the true stories behind the country's signature regional dishes, exploring the history and taste of everything from cassoulet to the crispiest of buckwheat crépes. Among encounters with lively chefs, farmers, and restaurateurs - and somewhere between Paris and the south of France - she uncovers a few of life's truths.