-Joyful, life-affirming, greedy. I loved it- - DIANA HENRY-Whether you are an avid cyclist, a Francophile, a greedy gut, or simply an appreciator of impeccable writing - this book will get you hooked- - YOTAM OTTOLENGHIThe nation-s -taster in chief- cycles 2,300 km across France in search of the definitive versions of classic French dishes.A green bike drunkenly weaves its way up a cratered hill in the late-morning sun, the gears grinding painfully, like a pepper mill running on empty. The rider crouched on top in a rictus of pain has slowed to a gravity-defying crawl when, from somewhere nearby, the whine of a nasal engine breaks through her ragged breathing.A battered van appears behind her, the customary cigarette dangling from its driver-s-side window- as he passes, she casually reaches down for some water, smiling broadly in the manner of someone having almost too much fun. -No sweat,- she says jauntily to his retreating exhaust pipe. -Pas de probl-, monsieur.-A land of glorious l
