French Leave

John Burton Race takes the biggest risk of his life and leaves behind his career as one of Britain’s top chefs to spend a year with his wife and six children in rural Montferrand, France. Featured recipe: French Onion Soup.

Despite initial setbacks, Chef John Burton Race is determined to fit into life in rural France. Invited by the Brotherhood of Cassoulet to cook an official ceremonial meal, Race enlists local help to learn the secrets of a Provincial Duck Cassoulet.

Chef John Burton Race and his family discover that life in rural France is not as isolated as they had hoped, when his mother-in-law comes for a visit. Featured recipe: Homemade Walnut Bread.

Chef John Burton Race gets native in rural France, swapping his English whites for Wellington boots, his Audi for a Citroen, and his sanity for a goat. Featured recipe: Goat’s Cheese.

Chef John Burton Race learns how to make lavendar chocolate ganache as he and his family prepare to celebrate Easter in rural France. Featured recipe: Chocolate.

Chef John Burton Race takes his son on a fishing trip to the Black Mountain area to find a source of Brown Trout while his wife and daughters dine at a French-Chinese restaurant. Race also heads to the Mediterranean and learns the secret of the Caluche, an ancient method of fishing, before cooking for a group of local fisherman.

Chef John Burton Race visits a small French town to celebrate the most important day in the French culinary calendar – the Fête du Cochon. Feeling brave, Race decides to participate in another French tradition and go on a wild boar hunt.

Chef John Burton Race welcomes summer by creating seasonal recipes with fresh local fruits and vegetables.

Chef John Burton Race trains the family Labrador, Fendi, to hunt for truffles.

Chef John Burton Race and his family prepare to return to England after a sojourn in rural France. Race creates an unforgettable feast for the family’s farewell party.