Papilles en Éveil (awakening taste buds)

Through AVF (Accueil des Villes Françaises  - an organization sponsored by the French government to welcome newcomers and returning French http://avf.asso.fr/fr/lyon), Anna has joined a cooking group.  The group, called “papilles en éveil”, which is roughly translated as “awakening taste buds,” was started by an incredibly enthusiastic lady named Brigitte.  Brigitte’s idea was for eight women from all over the world to get together on a monthly basis to prepare and enjoy dishes that reflect the hostesses’ home countries and to make new friends in the process.  As you can imagine, the logistics were pretty daunting at first.  But, Brigitte managed to launch what has become a very popular group.  In fact, “papilles en éveil” has become so successful that Brigitte now has two groups meeting monthly.



Our amazing leader, Brigitte.

Anna joined “papilles en éveil” in 2010, when we were in Lyon for a year, and Brigitte was just starting up the group.  Fortunately for Anna, Brigitte has welcomed her back into the group when we have returned for our shorter stays. 

Anna was a participant in a luncheon just last Monday when seven women descended chez Nadda at 10AM to prepare and consume a delicious luncheon.  As usual, the group represented a mini UN:  Nadda is Thai, Maria is Spanish, Lisa is American, Pauline is French, Ying is Chinese, Fontine is British, Brigitte is French, and, of course, Anna is American.  This particular group was unique in that almost all spoke fluent English.  In fact, Brigitte, taken aback to walk into the kitchen where several English conversations were in progress, announced, “Seulement français dans la cuisine!”  And, so they were back to French (with a few English side conversations).



L-R:  Anna, Nadda, Pauline, Maria, Fontine, Ying, and Lisa
(with various ingredients for lunch on the table)

As hostess, Nadda had planned a delicious meal of Khao Phad Sapparod (riz à l'ananas, poulet et crevettes or rice with pineapple, chicken, and shrimp) and Tam Yam Koung (soupe epicée aux crevettes et la noix de coco or spicy soup with shrimp and coconut). 



Maria, ready to eat Khaao Phad Sapparod  

And, Lisa contributed a delicious dessert of Gateau d'Orange avec le sorbet d'ananas (orange, flourless cake with a sorbet of pineapple).  “Many hands make light (and very pleasant) work”, and, under Nadda’s and Lisa’s direction, lunch preparation was soon underway.  The results were both delicious and quite attractive, as you can see.

Gateau d'Orange avec le sorbet d'ananas 

It is always interesting to see how a group of people from a variety of countries, with little in common other than membership in the Lyon chapter of AVF, can genuinely take pleasure in each other’s company and work together to prepare and then enjoy a lovely meal.  After a leisurely lunch and many fun conversations, the next luncheon was planned, and it was time to clean up the kitchen and lunch dishes.  Working together, even this task was pleasant, but finally it was time to give Nadda back her home and head back to the apartment. 

Anna arrived home around 4:30 PM.   (And, David got an exotic dinner of leftover Khao phad sapparod!)