My Scrapbook Cookbook isn’t just about cooking; it’s about connecting with the people I’ve met, creating memories through food, and finding joy in preparing a meal. Every recipe is paired with a little piece of my life—whether it’s a funny anecdote or a reflection on what that dish means to me.
For me, cooking is not about following instructions—it’s a way to connect, explore, and celebrate life. I hope this book invites you into my world, where food is a language that brings people together, creates joy, and turns every meal into a story worth sharing.
Cooking is a conversation between the seasons and your soul. It is a way to slow down and savor not only the meal but also the moments it creates around the table, where laughter and stories are passed along with the food.
Food is not just about nourishment; it’s about connection—connecting with the land, the people you love, and the history that has shaped what’s on your plate. When you share a meal, you share a story.
Some of you might remember my friend Alice (from Australia) staying with us years ago and how she often made this cake. It’s divine—a true masterpiece of deliciousness that’s surprisingly easy to make. My son-in-law, Martin, claims it’s his favorite, though he’s banned it from our table. The reason? He can’t stop at just one piece; he devours it, and that’s the truth!
My dear friend Ellen’s lentil loaf baked in a round pan is a recipe that goes back over thirty years. She was our roommate when we lived in Paris, long before we had children. Back then, having roommates was unheard of in France but being practical let us live in a big apartment instead of a shoebox. Fast forward four years, and Ellen was traveling alone through India on a bicycle—yes, that’s a whole story in itself. When she returned and found out I had cancer, she came straight to our home in Marseille. There she was like a beam of light, “I heard you were sick. When are your parents coming? I said they return in two weeks. She dropped her backpack, picked up Sacha , grabbed Chelsea hand, told me to go to bed and sleep. She took care of me until my parents arrived. That evening, she asked me what I wanted for dinner, and I said, ‘A slice of heaven.’ She went into our kitchen and with what she found, she created this lentil loaf. It was, and she is, my slice of heaven
Preparing food is spoonfuls of taste, patience, and creativity. It is a well-baked ritual, and in each stir of the bowl, we find the simple art of transformation.
“La bonne cuisine est la base du véritable bonheur.”
— Auguste Escoffier
Translation: “Good cooking is the foundation of true happiness.”
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