Patricia Well's new cookbook
Apr 17th, 2004, 05:55 PM
#41
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This is a Patricia wells thread but since you hijacked it, I'll say,
sorry, cig, but now you know who your friends are.
I liked Rick Stein, I think that was his name? From Cornwall, I think,
and always had his dog on his tour that only featured sea food. Z.
Apr 17th, 2004, 07:26 PM
#43
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Oh geez. Graham Kerr. He did do ONE thing--make cooking on TV Funny. St. Cirq registered HER OPINION on PW--that's OK with me. I happen to like PW's Paris cook book and I couldn't agree more that she is a marketing genius. Don't we all wish we could be. It happens for me, that she makes some (more--I have a LOT of cookbooks) classic recipes available. I did not see that SC demeaned ANYone's opinions--she stated hers. Read discriminatingly, please.
Apr 17th, 2004, 07:51 PM
#45
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Gee, I post about a dinner I am going to with Patricia Wells at The Hotel Madison in Washington, DC, and StCirq doesn't like it.
Huh? Do you even know what I am going to eat for $95. Actually, I went looking for my Smithsonian Associates newsletter that had the details of the meal. Wine is included. I didn't think it was a bad price for what it is and I am curious. Here is the link to the meal with the menu:
http://residentassociates.org/RAP/otoapr/provence.asp
As with the Rick Steves trashing on travel boards, I view the comments made by StCirq as pure and simple envy. Maybe Patricia Wells charges too much. I do not know--and I am certainly not taking one of her cooking tours to France because I am not food obsessed (nor do I have big bucks to do something like that--nevermind the consequences to the waist line). You can quibble that her prices are too high, she charges them and people pay them. Sorry you are so jealous. I know you and PBProvence have done cooking tours to France (or at least you advertise that you do them). If you are not as successful as Patricia Wells, well I am sorry. That's life. Some people hit it big time and some do not and it success is not always rational.
By the way, the dinner is sold out, so there are many people in Washington, DC, StCirq, who do not share your opinion.
I will come back and tell you what I think afterwards. I can tell you that I almost never buy books at those things. Generally, paying the full price for the book is not worth the autograph. If I decide I want the book, I order from amazon afterwards. I have more cookbooks than I need in this life and probably will just have a look at it but not purchase.
Huh? Do you even know what I am going to eat for $95. Actually, I went looking for my Smithsonian Associates newsletter that had the details of the meal. Wine is included. I didn't think it was a bad price for what it is and I am curious. Here is the link to the meal with the menu:
http://residentassociates.org/RAP/otoapr/provence.asp
As with the Rick Steves trashing on travel boards, I view the comments made by StCirq as pure and simple envy. Maybe Patricia Wells charges too much. I do not know--and I am certainly not taking one of her cooking tours to France because I am not food obsessed (nor do I have big bucks to do something like that--nevermind the consequences to the waist line). You can quibble that her prices are too high, she charges them and people pay them. Sorry you are so jealous. I know you and PBProvence have done cooking tours to France (or at least you advertise that you do them). If you are not as successful as Patricia Wells, well I am sorry. That's life. Some people hit it big time and some do not and it success is not always rational.
By the way, the dinner is sold out, so there are many people in Washington, DC, StCirq, who do not share your opinion.
I will come back and tell you what I think afterwards. I can tell you that I almost never buy books at those things. Generally, paying the full price for the book is not worth the autograph. If I decide I want the book, I order from amazon afterwards. I have more cookbooks than I need in this life and probably will just have a look at it but not purchase.
Apr 17th, 2004, 07:56 PM
#46
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I usually make the Belgian endive, Roquefort and walnut salad out of Bistro Cooking for Christmas. It's not an unusual salad but this version, with lots of lemon juice, is a nice counterpoint to rich winter-holiday dinners. Yum!
Graham Kerr -- I used to watch him with my mom. Doesn't he still have some kind of a cooking show somewhere on TV?
Graham Kerr -- I used to watch him with my mom. Doesn't he still have some kind of a cooking show somewhere on TV?
Apr 17th, 2004, 08:12 PM
#47
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It's amazing how posting on a book that you like brings out the nasties, when I thought I was sharing.
Lauren, I went to two lunches, one at the museum of fine Arts and she sat at most tables and chatted. I was alone, she sat with me and we talked of several places we both liked. That was a $25 no wine lunch, nothing special.
The other was ala carte at Brasserie Jo, she only designed the menu and hung around and was open to anyone who wanted to chat with her. She has worked with a few of the great chefs in Paris.
And No newspaper will give you such a plum job if you weren't good. They'd lose readers. Now back to the cook book PLEASE.
Lauren, I went to two lunches, one at the museum of fine Arts and she sat at most tables and chatted. I was alone, she sat with me and we talked of several places we both liked. That was a $25 no wine lunch, nothing special.
The other was ala carte at Brasserie Jo, she only designed the menu and hung around and was open to anyone who wanted to chat with her. She has worked with a few of the great chefs in Paris.
And No newspaper will give you such a plum job if you weren't good. They'd lose readers. Now back to the cook book PLEASE.
Apr 17th, 2004, 08:15 PM
#48
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http://www.patriciawells.com/provencecbk/frnt-cover.htm
http://www.patriciawells.com/books/bistro_cooking.htm
Well, the cover of the book is certainly pretty, Mimi!
These are the two that I would buy so far .. although I still say, I wish someone else would cook it and I will just read the book ~
http://www.patriciawells.com/books/bistro_cooking.htm
Well, the cover of the book is certainly pretty, Mimi!
These are the two that I would buy so far .. although I still say, I wish someone else would cook it and I will just read the book ~
Apr 18th, 2004, 06:36 AM
#49
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In case anyone's interested, here's a cooking tour website that I bookmarked about two years ago. http://www.cookfrance.com/pages/home.php I thought about it while reading this thread and found it buried in my list of travel sites. Unless I have it confused with some other tour provider whose bookmark I can't find, I think this is the company that was recommended by someone on Fodors or mentioned by someone here whose ID had something to do with cooking, and I think a woman I met on a trip two years ago had taken tours with this company. Anyway, I have no personal experience with them, and these trips aren't for me--too expensive and also I'm probably not quite interested enough in an entire trip focusing on cooking. But for those who are, they do look interesting.
(I have no opinion either way re Patricia Wells, never having looked at any of her books, so this is merely a note related to the cooking tour tangent of this thread.)
(I have no opinion either way re Patricia Wells, never having looked at any of her books, so this is merely a note related to the cooking tour tangent of this thread.)
Apr 18th, 2004, 07:32 AM
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Now, it seems, is a good time for an authentic food authority to put her pinch of sea salt into the boiling <i>au jus</i>.
StCirq, you are a spoiler but I enjoy people who are willing to put their forceful opinion out there at the risk of being trashed for it, especially when the essence of that opinion is based in truth. Had you not used the term "pretentious," you might have gotten away unscathed without leaving the impression that you were judging all PW's fans. Nobody likes to be told they're wasting their money, even if they are wasting their money, and I'm sure StCirq is smart enough to know this. Folks, at least she offered an apology (tepid as it was).
PW is a marketing genius and who among us wouldn't use our husband's connections if they were worthy of delivering on a personal dream? What is all that love and sacrifice for, girls? Life isn't fair and, oftentimes, mediocrity can achieve stupendous success. (I'm not suggesting that PW is mediocre but I do like the concept of freedom for all to achieve.)
Advertising executives constantly tell me marketing is everything. Certainly PW is smart enough to know how the game is played. Consider this: Hotel Flora in Venice acquired a strong word-of-mouth reputation among well-to-do Americans (primarily New Yorkers), further supported by editorial appearances in several high-brow books claiming that the Flora was "the only boutique oasis near San Marco" worthy of your interest. Even though all the editorials mentioned small rooms, travelers flocked to their tiny rooms and the prices keep going up to take advantage of the demand.
Once the "cache-effect" is in place, a business entity is pretty much set to succeed as long as it can deliver a certain number of smiles visit after visit. Hotel Flora is one Venice's most overpriced boutique hotels and you can't even pull up to it via water taxi if you wanted to avoid walking with your luggage. Yet, you can't get in unless you reserve 6 months in advance. Go figure. People <b>will</b> overpay for the illusion of luxury and isn't that just fine. Good for business, too.
Speaking of annoying, let's not mention Emeril.
StCirq, you are a spoiler but I enjoy people who are willing to put their forceful opinion out there at the risk of being trashed for it, especially when the essence of that opinion is based in truth. Had you not used the term "pretentious," you might have gotten away unscathed without leaving the impression that you were judging all PW's fans. Nobody likes to be told they're wasting their money, even if they are wasting their money, and I'm sure StCirq is smart enough to know this. Folks, at least she offered an apology (tepid as it was).
PW is a marketing genius and who among us wouldn't use our husband's connections if they were worthy of delivering on a personal dream? What is all that love and sacrifice for, girls? Life isn't fair and, oftentimes, mediocrity can achieve stupendous success. (I'm not suggesting that PW is mediocre but I do like the concept of freedom for all to achieve.)
Advertising executives constantly tell me marketing is everything. Certainly PW is smart enough to know how the game is played. Consider this: Hotel Flora in Venice acquired a strong word-of-mouth reputation among well-to-do Americans (primarily New Yorkers), further supported by editorial appearances in several high-brow books claiming that the Flora was "the only boutique oasis near San Marco" worthy of your interest. Even though all the editorials mentioned small rooms, travelers flocked to their tiny rooms and the prices keep going up to take advantage of the demand.
Once the "cache-effect" is in place, a business entity is pretty much set to succeed as long as it can deliver a certain number of smiles visit after visit. Hotel Flora is one Venice's most overpriced boutique hotels and you can't even pull up to it via water taxi if you wanted to avoid walking with your luggage. Yet, you can't get in unless you reserve 6 months in advance. Go figure. People <b>will</b> overpay for the illusion of luxury and isn't that just fine. Good for business, too.
Speaking of annoying, let's not mention Emeril.
Apr 18th, 2004, 08:40 AM
#51
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Actually Emeril is entertaining..
When I travel to Provence and want and excellent food I visit my cousin, she lives in Avignon
..She is not famous, just a housewife, but her food is Divine..and is free..
When I travel to Provence and want and excellent food I visit my cousin, she lives in Avignon
..She is not famous, just a housewife, but her food is Divine..and is free..
Apr 18th, 2004, 09:42 AM
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I have to side with StCirq on this one. I never found PW that enthralling. I don't think she has much of a reputation among the French themselves. But if you like her and follow her writings, enjoy and thank Cigalechanta for the heads-up.
And Lauren, will you please for ONCE get over your obsession that anyone who dares criticize or dislike your precious darling Rick Steves is jealous? You are completely FIXATED on making that statement over and over...some people just don't have any use for him, period, especially at some of his more ridiculous statements that spending more money than HE thinks is appropriate is putting up some kind of wall against experiencing the real Europe, whatever that means (after living the past several years in Europe, I've learned there are all kinds of "real" Europe and all kinds of "real" Europeans). I never even see his books at English language bookshops in Europe; if you like him fine, but there are legions of travelers out there who have no use for him or his travel methods and so what? That's just as valid an opinion as your adulation for the guy. I'm NOT jealous of RS in ANY way...the only time he shows up on my mental radar is on the posts here, especially when you go on your repetitive rants that everyone who doesn't like him MUST be jealous!! Give it a rest...
And Lauren, will you please for ONCE get over your obsession that anyone who dares criticize or dislike your precious darling Rick Steves is jealous? You are completely FIXATED on making that statement over and over...some people just don't have any use for him, period, especially at some of his more ridiculous statements that spending more money than HE thinks is appropriate is putting up some kind of wall against experiencing the real Europe, whatever that means (after living the past several years in Europe, I've learned there are all kinds of "real" Europe and all kinds of "real" Europeans). I never even see his books at English language bookshops in Europe; if you like him fine, but there are legions of travelers out there who have no use for him or his travel methods and so what? That's just as valid an opinion as your adulation for the guy. I'm NOT jealous of RS in ANY way...the only time he shows up on my mental radar is on the posts here, especially when you go on your repetitive rants that everyone who doesn't like him MUST be jealous!! Give it a rest...
Apr 18th, 2004, 02:15 PM
#56
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Tsk, tsk. I TOLD you that olive oil preferences can be a clue to people's personalities and character, now didn't I? All this friction could've been magically avoided if only we'd known the olive oil preferences of PW and RS and all the dramatis personæ of this thread. Tsk tsk. Nobody listened.
Apr 18th, 2004, 04:01 PM
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Yes, thanks BTilke, the notion that anyone who doesn't cotton to Rick Steves or his style of travel is "jealous" is inane. I think anyone who has read my trip reports over the years would have to agree I have little if nothing to be jealous about. My life, and my travels, are exactly as I wanted and planned them. You couldn't offer me enough money to do what Rick Steves does for a living. I think it's pretty clear who's jealous, and it's not me.
And if NYCFoodSnob doesn't think my apology forceful enough, let me say that I agree that PW is a marketing genius, and no, I'm not jealous of that (culinary tours are not my living) - yes, she's got every right to capitalize on her husband's fortune. I just find it interesting to see so many gush over her when there are so many more hard-working folks out there with far better experience - people without all the exposure that PW has gotten in the US but who are KNOWN in France. Also, the recipes are nothing special - nothing that anyone who goes to market in Provence and eats in a few provençal restaurants couldn't fairly easily figure out on their own. I mean, it's all eggpplant and red peppers and endive and good chicken and fresh fish and frisée and farm eggs and aïoli and all the rest. No genius there.
I'm SORRY if I offended you with my different opinion.
And if NYCFoodSnob doesn't think my apology forceful enough, let me say that I agree that PW is a marketing genius, and no, I'm not jealous of that (culinary tours are not my living) - yes, she's got every right to capitalize on her husband's fortune. I just find it interesting to see so many gush over her when there are so many more hard-working folks out there with far better experience - people without all the exposure that PW has gotten in the US but who are KNOWN in France. Also, the recipes are nothing special - nothing that anyone who goes to market in Provence and eats in a few provençal restaurants couldn't fairly easily figure out on their own. I mean, it's all eggpplant and red peppers and endive and good chicken and fresh fish and frisée and farm eggs and aïoli and all the rest. No genius there.
I'm SORRY if I offended you with my different opinion.
Apr 18th, 2004, 04:16 PM
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Amidst all this tempete, I was thinking of posting my favorite salad in PW's Bistro, and then I read that Annabelle has already given it a rave review! It is a wonderful, simple salad; I've served it twice in last two weeks to guests. Don't wait until Christmas!
Whisk 2 Tablespoons lemon juice with 1/4 tsp. salt. Drizzle in 1/4 Cup olive oil. Whisk until emulsified.
Separate into leaves 2 lbs. Belgian endive;wash and dry.
Top endive with 6 oz. crumbled Roquefort and 1 Cup walnut pieces; add dressing and toss. Serve immediately.
Regardless of your feelings re PW, this is a good salad!
Whisk 2 Tablespoons lemon juice with 1/4 tsp. salt. Drizzle in 1/4 Cup olive oil. Whisk until emulsified.
Separate into leaves 2 lbs. Belgian endive;wash and dry.
Top endive with 6 oz. crumbled Roquefort and 1 Cup walnut pieces; add dressing and toss. Serve immediately.
Regardless of your feelings re PW, this is a good salad!
