DRESSING A TABLE : THE FRENCH WAY
Since my tender
childhood, I have seen with delight my grandparents, parents or aunts preparing
a table in a formal or informal ways. The formal took hours and the meal itself
with several courses as well… It may well explain why I have created a blog
with easy and quick recipes…
Christmas was the highlight
in my old family house with the gathering of all my cousins and Co approaching sometimes
the 100 in numbers and decibels!
Since then I always
receive and adore it. Especially now living in Great-Britain, I tend to be
homesick every now and then and dive with delectation in my French family China,
reassured by my French cooking…
The table in France
is an art de vivre, a new "monument"
of culture and héritage of France recognized by UNESCO. Where good manners and politeness are
extensively tested around : we eat but talk, observe and listen…
FROM THEN...
It's at the beginning of the Middle Ages that the lying down meals are permanently abandoned to the sitting position...But there are absolutely no table manners : you eat with your fingers and thrown the remaining to the dogs around (classy...).
The art of the table appeared in 1530 in nobility only. It follows a novel from Erasme "Civilitas Morum Puerilium"(the moral civility of children).
From there, to be invited became a show where everyone wanted to be seen...
It's Catherine de Medicis, Henri II's wife who brought the "2 teeth" fork, fine China and glassware.
Thanks to Versailles, the French Service (knives, forks, napkin, plates and glasses in good orders) appeared in the 17century. Richly decorated, highly structured, festive meals are organized in form of lavish buffet...
Finally, at the revolution, the Chefs who were serving the aristocracy are forced to leave their place. But some opened restaurants in Paris... So everyone could access the food reserved then for nobility... Paris became the culinary capital in Europe...
TO...
Me!
Now, you arrived at my table...
The table I prepare when I invite my friends.
The table I will find if I am invited by my friends as well : a table dressed the French* way by French people.
Note : This is a table for friends, so in an informal way.
