Book excerpt: French Food Safari is a celebration of exquisite French cuisine in all its delicious complexity. Maeve O’Meara and chef Guillaume Brahimi explore both Paris and regional France – visiting some of France’s top chefs and providores. Meet the acclaimed Alain Ducasse, with an unprecedented 19 Michelin stars; the father of modern French cooking Paul Bocuse; legendary chef Guy Savoy, who has restaurants on three continents; and the incomparable king of sweets Pierre Hermé. Maeve and Guillaume take us into the ancient cellars below the streets of Paris to meet baker Jean-Luc Poujauran, patissier Fabrice Le Bourdat and the legendary wood-fired oven of bakers Poilâne; on a delicious journey into the fragrant cheese rooms of Laurent Dubois; to the mountains of the Ardèche, the home of prolific cookbook author and chef Stéphane Reynaud; searching for truffles with the Pebeyre family, among groves of oak trees in Périgord; and into the aromatic world of Maison du Chocolat where liquid chocolate is transformed into exquisite sweet delights. Australia’s crème de la crème of French-inspired chefs also feature in this mouth-watering cookbook, sharing their wisdom and recipes. Along with Guillaume Brahimi they share favourite recipes and introduce the classics of French cuisine. The French Food Safari ebook is far more than a cookbook, it’s a glimpse into a way of life that celebrates one of the best cuisines on the planet – a culture that revolves around sourcing and cooking the best regional produce, and taking the time to sit and enjoy the delicious results.