The French Ingredient - Book review
Jane Bertch, an American expat wrote The French Ingredient which was published in 2024 by Ballantine Books.
Thanks to my library and Libby, I had access to the audiobook version of the book.
In the next sections I will dive into what The French Ingredient is about, my thoughts, and my final verdict. In case there are any spoilers, you will be warned ahead so you’ll get to decide whether you’d like to continue reading this blog post or come back after you’ve read the book. ;)
You can also refer to my book rating guide that will be attached at the bottom.
The blurb
When Jane Bertch was eighteen her mother took her on a graduation trip to Paris. Thrilled to use her high school French, Bertch found her halting attempts greeted with withering condescension by every waiter and shopkeeper she encountered. At the end of the trip she vowed to never return.
A decade later she found herself back in Paris, transferred there by an American bank. She became fluent in the language, gradually earning the respect of her French colleagues as she excelled in her new position. But she had a different dream: to start a cooking school for foreigners like her, tourists who wanted to take a few classes in French cuisine in a friendly setting, then bring their new skills to their kitchens back home. Bertch faced nay-saying Frenchmen—how dare an American banker start a cooking school in Paris?—real estate nightmares, and a long struggle to find and attract clients.
With perseverance, La Cuisine Paris opened in 2009. The years since have been filled with triumphs and heartbreaks. Several times the school almost closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic and terrorist attacks that kept tourists away. Now the school is thriving, welcoming international visitors to come in and knead dough; whisk bechamel; whip meringue; and learn the care, precision, patience, and beauty involved in French cooking.
(source: The French Ingredient: A Memoir by Jane Bertch | Goodreads)
Thoughts on the book
The French Ingredient is a charming reminder of what it means to build a community and be able to rely on it, too. Jane Bertch had the courage to start a life in a culture that was vastly different from the one she had grown up in. The French do things differently from Americans (cue the nose-wrinkling of a French person).
Though the names of the people appearing in Jane’s book were altered, they fit the story perfectly. From a hard-working chef to the French boyfriend, this story was packed with small moments that had me rooting for each and every one of them.
One thing the author certainly has is sheer determination. A culinary school for hobby cooks and those fascinated by French cuisine? I would have loved to join a course for an evening! The great thing about La Cuisine—since it was mentioned in a memoir—is that you don’t have to imagine its existence. It actually does exist!
Screenshot: www.lacuisineparis.com
The fact that every chapter startet with “French astuce” a glimpse into French culture that will make you smile, really tied the chapters together nicely. For short chapter lovers, this would be the perfect fit.
This section will include spoilers of the book. You have been warned :)
The French Ingredient is mostly a light read. The last third of the book becomes a bit more political as we revisit the time of the COVID-19 pandemic and how the culinary school, La Cuisine, was affected by it. Being reminded once again of how different life was for everyone just a few years ago felt strange. While some found the lockdown to be an opportunity to finally slow down, small businesses must have suffered tremendously.
I had hoped that the book would dive a little deeper into the culinary aspect. A recipe here or there would have been fun! Then again, I listened to the audiobook, so I don’t know how much of a recipe I would have actually remembered.
The breakup between Jane and Olivier also surprised me—I was really rooting for them. Nonetheless, I admire how amicable they have remained and that they continue to run the school together. In moments of hardship, both could rely on each other for comfort—a hug, a walk, and sometimes a good cry.
May we all find an Olivier!
Memorable parts of the book
This section will include spoilers of the book. You have been warned :)
Jane’s determination to follow her dreams of opening up a culinary school
The fact that Janer Bertch left a career in banking to dive into uncharted territory
How the community showed up for La Cuisine
French astuce moments
What I posted on Instagram
Verdict
3/5 stars
A great book for those who think about visiting Paris and want to learn more about the culture!
Thank you for making it this far and reading through my review! I would love to read about your thoughts or feedback :) You’re welcome subscribe to my newsletter or leave tips for me. I appreciate you spent here today!
Lead your dreams,
Soso
