“That since we must eat to live, we might as well do it with both grace and gusto.” - MFK Fisher
The Cook’s Atelier – Burgundy, France – inspirations from the French market. Copyright © 2010, The Cook’s Atelier.
Food Photography and Styling by Marjorie Taylor - The Cook’s Atelier. All rights reserved.
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about the cook
Hello. I’m Marjorie and I’m the cook in The Cook’s Atelier - a small 17th century appartement in the center of Beaune with a kitchen studio, big French windows and the most beautiful light. My atelier is devoted to exploring the regional culinary traditions, local artisans and sustainable farmers in France. I am a long-time member of Chef’s Collaborative and Slow Food and am inspired by farmers’ markets, small artisan producers, and the food philosophy pioneered by Alice Waters. I am a big believer in real food, made from scratch and take pleasure in cooking every day.
When the weather is warm, I plant herbs in my window boxes and throw open the windows so I can hear the people bustling below on their way to the morning market. In the height of season, I’m busy making confiture and preserving to save a little taste of summer. In the autumn and winter months, there is always something simmering on the back of the stove; a pumpkin soup or some homemade chicken stock, and a fire in the fireplace to keep cozy when it’s snowy and gray outside.
In addition to my blog, my writing and photography has also been featured on a variety of print and online publications, including Culinate, Apartment Therapy: the Kitchn, Trufflepig: The Sounder, Sustainable Table and Eat Well Guides’ blog, the green fork. My blog focuses on real food that is fresh, local and sustainable and combines my interest in food, photography, travel and the connection between the farmer and the cook.
Personally, I am committed to living a sustainable life. I recycle, and am committed to sustainable agriculture. I enjoy planting my kitchen garden and am mindful of the effects of my everyday food choices. I ditched my car when I left the states and have taken to the proverbial “French bike” adorned with a basket of market produce and flowers as my preferred choice for transportation.
Prior to moving to France, I was the co-chef/proprietor of the award winning restaurant and cooking school, Ruby Beet Gourmet, in Phoenix, Arizona and studied at LaVarenne under noted teacher and cookbook author, Anne Willan.
The Cook’s Atelier promotes sustainable France through hands-on cooking classes, market tours and field trips to local artisan producers. Through your participation, you’ll be part of something bigger. I believe there is a link between the pleasure of food and the overall health of a community and the environment. In celebration of that simple idea, each year a portion of the proceeds from The Cook’s Atelier are contributed directly to organizations that support small farms, environmental literacy and sustainable food. This year, I am happy to support the efforts of Growing Gardens, in Portland, Oregon which plants gardens in the yards of limited income families so they can experience first-hand the value of eating fresh, local and seasonal food.
