Cooking my Thai menu with a French Michelin Starred Chef on the French Riviera

Travelogue Vol. 2

Bandol, Côte d’Azur, December 2021

It was right after Christmas, my family and I took a TGV train from Paris to Marseille where our hotel driver came and picked us up. I had accepted the invitation to cook a Thai menu with chef at Bistrot Lumiere, run by Chef Michelin-starred chef Jérémy Czaplicki.

It was quite cool to do this job because not only did I get to cook with a well-drilled French brigade, but I also got to live on the property and treat my family with a wonderful experience. I don’t speak much french but I relied on my step daughter, my partner and Google. The kitchen team did not speak much English but we had a blast and we put out an amazing menu! 

Mieng 

Thai beef tartare (with my laab seasoning) 

Scallops

Khao soi 

Sea bass with lychee salad 

Braised rabbit Hanglay curry 

Thai tea poached pear

Chocolate Souffle with chili candied 

My highlight was meeting a very famous 3 Michelin-starred Chef, Alexandre Mazzia, who is a regular at this property. He pulled me over and asked how I made my Mieng and how he found it fascinating. Whoop whoop! I give credit to my grandma because it was her favorite small bite before she parted this life. It always brings a smile to my face every time I think of her, and how I can share her love for food with the world. 

But I am sure if you asked my Chef, he would say his highlight is when I cooked a family meal for everyone, a simple Pad Thai with my Thaimee sauce that I brought over from the US. Truly, cooking helps me to make great friendships. How about you? What’s your trick? 

Love,

Hong.