Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Monet's Palate
One of the highlights of my first trip to France was going to Giverny to visit Monet's home and gardens. It's a nice little country day trip from Paris and a must see for anyone who is a fan of Impressionist painting. Monet's home is a magical place and the colors, the scenery and the light come to life in a way that is familiar and exciting at the same time.
Not surprisingly, I was fascinated by the tour of his house and especially his kitchen. Clearly I wasn't the only one because there is even a book devoted to the subject, called Monet's Table. The stunning combination of yellows and blues and Japanese prints transported me to another time and place as much as views of the water lily pond did. If you've been to the house perhaps you experienced the same thing. Or perhaps you've just appreciated his creativity and perpective. Either way, I'm sure you'll be as eager as I am to see the film Monet's Palate, currently showing on PBS.
Monet's Palate explores Normandy, Monet's passion for art and for fine cuisine. In addition to an art collector, art historian and a culinary consultant, the film also features various chefs and restaurateurs--Roger Verge, Alice Waters, Michel Richard, Anne Willan, and Daniel Boulud among others. To find out when it may be shown on your local PBS station, visit the Monet's Palate blog. You can also see a snippet of the film on the Monet's Palate website.