13 February 2024
09 minutes
Photo: Getty Images
The southern French city of Avignon is internationally known for its annual summer cultural festival. For more than half of the 14th century, it was also home to the Roman Catholic papacy. Its culinary reputation, however, is often overshadowed by two neighbouring cities: Lyon and Marseille. In this episode, Monocle’s Michael Booth visits the Provençal city to unearth some of its specialties, which range from unique pastries and archeological cheeses to a delicious lamb recipe.
13 February 2024
Share episode
DownloadWant more radio episodes like these in your inbox?
Sign up to Monocle’s email newsletters to stay on top of news and opinion, plus the latest from the magazine, radio, film and shop.
The Menu - latest episodes
Food Neighbourhoods #414: Old Town, Kraków
If you’re thinking of a continental excursion this winter, one place to head for culinary delights is Kraków. This picturesque city is at its best when covered in a thick blanket of snow and what better way to warm up than…
The art of winemaking
This week’s episode is dedicated to the art of winemaking. We speak to writer, restaurateur and wine lover, Dan Keeling, about his brand new book, ‘Who’s Afraid of Romanée Conti?’. Also in the programme: Monocle’s Gregory…
Food Neighbourhoods #413: Testaccio, Rome
When in Rome, there’s no shortage of culinary outposts. But one neighbourhood in particular is known for serving up the city’s best traditional dishes. Monocle’s Lily Austin takes us for a stroll around Testaccio.
Mangal II and ‘The World Atlas of Honey’
We sit down with Ferhat Dirik, the restaurateur behind London’s Mangal II, to learn what it takes to update a restaurant for a new generation. Also in the programme: we meet Marina Marchese to flick through her new book,…
Food Neighbourhoods #412: Port Townsend, Washington
We’re heading to the salty shores of the Pacific Northwest, where a town famous for its boat building is also gaining a reputation as a dining destination. Monocle’s Seattle correspondent, Gregory Scruggs, took the ferry…
Scottish drinking and dining
We meet some of Scotland’s most exciting culinary creators. First up, co-founder of the acclaimed Inver restaurant, Pam Brunton, provides her take on modern Scottish cuisine and tells us about her new book, ‘Between Two…
Food Neighbourhoods #411: Dalston, London
We’re back on familiar soil this week as we head to the East London neighbourhood of Dalston. This vibrant slice of the capital is renowned for its hole-in-the-wall coffee shops, high-end wine bars and some of London’s most…
Food in print
We flick through culinary magazines and newspapers for an episode entirely dedicated to food in print. First up, we speak to Joseph de Klee, founder of ‘The Pass’, a paper highlighting the best of London’s gastronomic scene…
Food Neighbourhoods #410: Cusco, Peru
We head to the ancient city of Cusco in the Peruvian Andes to wander its breathtaking (literally) cobblestone streets, and taste both its traditional delicacies and contemporary cuisine. Here, Monocle’s Elna Schutz takes…
‘Cooking for People’, Estonian wine and The Newt
This week, we sit down with Mike Davies, the chef at the helm of one of London’s most celebrated gastropubs, The Camberwell Arms, to leaf through his new seasonal cookbook, ‘Cooking for People’. Then, Petri Burtsoff heads…
Food Neighbourhoods #409: Vaxholm, Sweden
We head to Sweden, the home of cinnamon buns, or ‘kanelbullar’, to meet award winning home-cook Lina Walstrom. Monocle’s Tamara Thiessen heads to meet her in Vaxholm to learn how to make this staple Swedish treat.
‘Hokkaido’, Ben Slater and our Wine of the Month
We leaf through a new cookbook by Tim Anderson dedicated to the cuisine of the Japanese island of Hokkaido. Also in the programme, George Ruskin meets chef Ben Slater to learn about the art of food styling and our in-house…
Food Neighbourhoods #408: Oslo, Norway
Norway’s capital is not to be overlooked if you want a taste of the best that the Nordics have to offer. Much like its people, Oslo’s culinary scene is not brash or showy, so its most notable restaurants and bars can be…
Umami
This week’s episode is dedicated entirely to umami. First up, we sit down with Christopher Beckman, whose new book dives into the history and potency of anchovies. Also on the programme: Monocle’s Canberra correspondent,…
Food Neighbourhoods #407: Taormina, Sicily
We swap city life for the hilltop town of Taormina in Sicily to soak up the last of the season’s sun. George Ruskin takes us on a tour of this elegant destination’s best culinary spots.
