55. A Taste of France: Cooking and Slow Living in Gascony with Kate Hill

The greatest secret to mastering the art of cooking? It's' not the recipes, but in using the freshest ingredients that are indigenous to the land. In France, this means buying locally grown, in-season fruits and vegetables from the nearest farmer's market. This is a long-held practice in Gascony, a rural province of southwestern France where "the good dirt" is prized and protected for the preservation of its culinary heritage. The culture of food in Gascony has its own unique flavors and methods. Kate has been collecting recipes for years, gathered from friends and neighbors and even from knocking on the doors of strangers to learn how to cook something new. Kate teaches methods such as oven roasting, braising, emulsifying sauces, and has recently been featured on a "Cooking with Wine" series streaming on Somm TV. But it doesn’t stop there, Kate also intertwines these culinary lessons with in-person road trips in France and Spain. Kate masterfully wears multiple hats in her personal life and profession. She is a cook, teacher, mentor, and wonderful storyteller. In “A Culinary Journey in Gascony: Recipes and Stories from My French Canal Boat'," she tells the story of how she first discovered the region while floating slowly down the Canal de Garonne, and subsequently purchased the 18th-century farmhouse in the area which has been her home and culinary inspiration for the past thirty years. Interested in learning more about Kate and her personal story? Join us on this week’s episode to find out more. Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , Podchaser , Simplecast , Podtail , or on your favorite podcast platform. Topics Covered: French gastronomy and its influence on French culture Buying fresh, locally grown food The culture of food in Gascony Appreciating the experience and processes of cooking The role of food in human culture Resources Mentioned: A Culinary Journey in Gascony: Recipes and Stories from My French Canal Boat Cooking with Wine Gascony, France Out of Africa by Isak Dinesen French Dirt by Richard Goodman Jamie Beck on The Good Dirt Guest Info: Connect with Kate on her website . Follow Us: Our Website Instagram Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy