Marriage counseling

Taittinger Champagne toasts last night in the Spanish Ballroom of the Fairmont Olympic. The French ambassador, His Excellency Jean-David Levitte, was in town to attend the 20th anniversary gala of the French-American Chamber of Commerce and used the occasion to describe the state of French American relations after two centuries: Lafayette, Pershing, Normandy, Iraq.

Back on track after a few troubled moments, he told the 200 guests. In short: "Over 220 years of marriage counseling."

FACC executive director Jack Cowan with French ambassador Jean-David Levitte; awarding medals; beef tenderloin.

Like any long-married couple, our interests are inextricably intertwined. US investment in France is responsible for 500,000 jobs while French investment in America ($150 billion) has created jobs for 600,000 workers here. A lot of French technology goes into the Boeing Dreamliner, while 40% of the new Airbus 380 is being built in the US. We have our differences, to be sure, but we're "best allies" nonetheless, with a lifetime of shared values.

Does this mean we can stop making rude-French-waiter jokes? Probably not. But "cheese-eating surrender-monkeys"? A bit much.

The real beef? On your plate, where it belongs. That would be the Fairmont's oven-roasted, center-cut American Kobe beef tenderloin topped with a shallot and oxtail braisage, encircled by a ring of Yukon Gold whipped potatoes and a melange of baby rainbow carrots. Along with a glass or two of Moulin-A-Vent from Georges Duboeuf, it was quite delicious.

Medals awarded to three Seattle stalwarts of the French community, Susan Gates (Evergreen Bank), Michel Robert (Les Boulangers Associes) and George Lyden (Peterson Cheese), for meritorious service to France. Felicitations, Madame, Messieurs.

The International Kitchen
Cooking school vacations in Italy, France & Spain.

The International Vineyard, a new way to learn about wine in France, Italy and Spain: three-night programs for wine lovers in less-traveled regions.

The International Kitchen, the leading source for culinary vacations in France and Italy.

French Word-A-Day, fascinating lessons about language and daily life in Provence

Belltown Messenger, chronicle of a Seattle neighborhood's denizens, derelicts, clubs, bars & eateries. Restaurant reviews by Cornichon.

Small Screen Network, where food & drink celebrities like Robert Hess have recorded terrific videos.

French Chef Sally is my friend Sally McArthur, who hosts luxurious, week-long cooking classes at the Chateau du Riveau in the Loire Valley.

Local Wine Events.com, the worlds leading Food and Wine tasting calendar. Spirits and Beer events as well. Post your own event or sign up to be notified when new events are po sted to your own area.

VinoLover, Seattle wine promoter David LeClaire's bulletin board of tastings, dinners and special events.

Wine Educator Dieter Schafer maintains a full schedule of Seattle-area tastings and seminars for amateur wine drinkers and professional alike.

Nat Decants, a free wine e-newsletter from Natalie MacLean, recently named the World's Best Drink Writer at the World Food Media Awards in Australia. Wine picks, articles and humor; no ads.

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