Cassoulet Confessions - by Sylvie Bigar (Hardcover)

About the Book

Sylvie travels across the Atlantic from her home in New York to the origin of cassoulet - the Occitanie region of Southern France. There she immerses herself in all things cassoulet: the quintessential historic meat and bean stew. From her first spoonful, she is transported back to her dramatic childhood in Geneva, Switzerland, and finds herself journeying through an unexpected rabbit hole of memories. Not only does she discover the deeper meanings of her ancestral French cuisine, but she is ultimately transformed by having to face her unsettling, complex family history.

Book Synopsis

Cassoulet Confessions is an enthralling memoir by award-winning food and travel writer Sylvie Bigar that reveals how a simple journalistic assignment sparked a culinary obsession and transcended into a quest for identity. Set in the stunning southern French countryside, this honest and poignant memoir conveys hunger for authentic food and a universal hunger for home. In Cassoulet Confessions, Sylvie travels across the Atlantic from her home in New York to the origin of cassoulet - the Occitanie region of Southern France. There she immerses herself in all things cassoulet: the quintessential historic meat and bean stew. From her first spoonful, she is transported back to her dramatic childhood in Geneva, Switzerland, and finds herself journeying through an unexpected rabbit hole of memories. Not only does she discover the deeper meanings of her ancestral French cuisine, but she is ultimately transformed by having to face her unsettling, complex family history.

Sylvie's simple but poetic prose immerses us in her story: we smell the simmering aromas of French kitchens, empathize with her family dilemmas, and experience her internal struggle to understand and ultimately accept herself.

Review Quotes

"Like its eponymous dish, Cassoulet Confessions is a delicious slow-simmered concoction." - Ann Mah, bestselling author of The Lost Vintage and Mastering the Art of French Eating

"A surprising gift of a book. A great read. You will never think of a cassoulet in the same way." - Bill Buford, bestselling author of Heat and Dirt

"Sylvie is an eloquent writer who fervently weaves her culinary adventures with tasty moments of her life." - Daniel Boulud, chef and restaurateur

"Sylvie tripped my trigger. I loved the journey she takes us on!" - Andrew Zimmern, chef and author

"Sylvie's book feeds the mind, spirit and stomach." - Dominique Ansel, chef/owner, Dominique Ansel Bakery

"A surprising gift of a book. A great read. You will never think of a cassoulet in the same way." - Bill Buford, bestselling author of Heat and Dirt

"Like its eponymous dish, Cassoulet Confessions is a delicious slow-simmered concoction." - Ann Mah, bestselling author of The Lost Vintage and Mastering the Art of French Eating

"Sylvie is an eloquent writer who fervently weaves her culinary adventures with tasty moments of her life." - Daniel Boulud, chef and restaurateur

"Sylvie tripped my trigger. I loved the journey she takes us on!" - Andrew Zimmern, chef and author

"Sylvie's book feeds the mind, spirit and stomach." - Dominique Ansel, chef/owner, Dominique Ansel Bakery

About the Author

Award-winning food and travel writer Sylvie Bigar was born in Geneva, Switzerland, and lives in New York City. Her writing has appeared widely, including in The New York Times, Washington Post, Food & Wine, Forbes.com, Saveur, Bon Appetit, Edible, Departures, Travel & Leisure, and National Geographic Traveler. In French, Sylvie has contributed to Le Figaro, Histoire Magazine, Le Temps, and FrenchMorning.com.