A Castaway Cook in the Côte d'Azur
LEFT: A glass of vino and views of the Med. RIGHT: Éze Botanical Garden in Èze, France (PHOTOGRAPHER: V2F - Unsplash)
My adventure began aboard the elegant Lady Boo, a grand yacht that majestically cut through the azure Mediterranean, leaving behind a frothy trail of joyous anticipation. The Riviera, with its sparkling sea and sun-drenched landscapes, welcomed us with the promise of unforgettable culinary experiences.
The meals aboard Lady Boo were a melody of fresh flavours and a testament to the quintessential Mediterranean spirit. Crusty bread topped with an earthy olive tapenade, a vibrant ratatouille whispering tales of Provençal summers, and the famed bouillabaisse, its saffron-scented broth mingling with the salt-kissed air. Each meal, savoured with the sun caressing my skin and the ocean breeze playing with my hair, was a soulful symphony that echoed the rhythm of the Riviera.
LEFT TO RIGHT: A spread put together by our yacht’s chef; More yacht life treats to make our evenings all the more enjoyable; Cannapés anyone? If this is the yacht life, I’m all for it.
Stepping on the mainland, the narrative took an intriguing turn. The French Riviera, true to its reputation, unfurled a carpet of restaurants each offering an enchanting culinary journey. The island restaurant La Guérite, with its lamb roasted on open fire and salt-crusted sea bass, was a celebration of earthy flavours and traditional methods.
Nice, with its bustling, narrow streets, introduced me to La Libera and their mouth-watering socca, a humble chickpea pancake that held the essence of the region. A stone's throw away, at La Pizza Cresci, I experienced a slice of heaven in their thin, crisp pizzas topped with fresh, local produce.
LEFT: Street views of Nice, the capital of the Alpes-Maritimes department on the French Riviera, boasting Insta-worthy restaurant upon Insta-worthy restaurant (PHOTOGRAPHER: Robin Ooode, Unsplash); RIGHT: Soaking up the French Riviera vibes at lunch
But no true food exploration of the Riviera would be complete without a rendezvous at the Annex Beach Club in Cannes. As we dined on fresh seafood, crisp salade niçoise, and an indulgent tarte tropezienne, the shimmering Mediterranean bore witness to the joy on our faces as each flavour burst into life with forkful.
As a Castaway Cook, these experiences were not just a dream come true, but a reflection of what I value highly - simplicity, authenticity, and an unyielding passion for good food. The French Riviera was not just about the exquisite cuisine, but also about the joy of sharing meals, of conversations flowing like the local rosé, of a sense of community fostered around a dining table.
LEFT TO RIGHT: Sitting down to yet another gorgeous lunch in the South of France - La Libera, Cannes; The surreal views of the French Riviera Creeks (PHOTOGRAPHER: Antoine Rakotozafy - Unsplash); Enjoying a glamorous seafood lunch as only one can when in the South of France.
Each morning, the Lady Boo greeted us with a spread of succulent berries, fresh-from-the-oven pastries, and vibrant juices. This delicious start to the day embodied the French joie de vivre and reinforced their reverence for food. With each bite of the flaky croissant, I found myself more immersed in this joyous celebration of life and food.
Looking back, my journey on the French Riviera was an unending cascade of sensory delights. The vibrant colours of the marketplaces, the first of the season's apricots and peaches, the myriad flavours from elegant yachts to quaint bistros, the inviting aromas wafting from every corner, everything spoke of a deep-rooted love for life and food. It felt like summer - not just around me, but within me.
LEFT: The ultimate view of French life, Cassis, France (PHOTOGRAPHER: Jac Alexandru - Unsplash) RIGHT: The glitz and glam of the Cannes Film Festival.
To this day, when I think about my time under the French sun, my South African heart beats a little faster. The people, the sea, and most importantly, the sublime cuisine - each element, an exquisite stanza in the grand poem that is the Riviera. It was a journey of sensory seduction, a testament to a lifestyle that marries simple elegance with indulgent pleasures. This South African girl, who set foot on the Côte d'Azur, left with a piece of the Riviera embedded in her heart. And as I dream of my return, I can taste the salt in the air and the promise of culinary adventures yet to unfold.
LEFT TO RIGHT: The nightly views from our yacht; All dressed up with somewhere fabulous to go - Cannes Film Festival 2023; A day of exploring capped off with some eats at La Pizza Cresci
