On Rue Tatin: Living and Cooking in a French Town

Susan Loomis arrived in Paris twenty years ago with little more than a student loan and the contents of a suitcase to sustain her. But what began then as an apprenticeship at La Varenne Ecole de Cuisine evolved into a lifelong immersion in French cuisine and culture, culminating in permanent residency in 1994. On Rue tatin chronicles her journey to this ancient little street in the midst of Louviers, and how she came to call it home. With lyrical prose and wry candour, Loomis recalls the miraculous restoration she and her husband performed on the dilapidated convent they chose for their new residence. As its ocher and azure floor tiles emerged, challenges outside the dwelling mounted. From squatters to a surly priest next door, along with a close-knit community wary of outsiders, Loomis tackled the social challenges head-on, through persistent dialogue , and baking. As fresh ingredients abound in this rural haven, along with a reverence for the kitchen, On Rue tatin features fifty delicious recipes that evoke the essence of the region, such as Apple and thyme tart and main courses including Duck Breast with Cider and Braised Chicken in White Wine with Mustard. Winner, Literary Award International Association of Culinary Professionals 2002