French cuisine is a style of cooking derived from the nation of France. Arguably considered to be the world's most refined cuisine, it evolved from centuries of social and political change. The Middle Ages brought lavish banquets to the upper class with ornate, heavily seasoned food prepared by chefs such as Guillaume Tirel. The era of the French Revolution, however, saw a move toward fewer spices and more liberal usage of herbs and refined techniques, beginning with François Pierre La Varenne and further developing with the famous chef of Napoleon Bonaparte and other dignitaries, Marie-Antoine Carême.French cuisine was codified in the 20th century by Georges Auguste Escoffier to become the modern version of haute cuisine. Escoffier's major work, however, left out much of the regional character to be found in the provinces of France. Gastro-tourism and the Guide Michelin helped to bring people to the countryside during the 20th century and beyond, to sample this rich bourgeois and peasant cuisine of France. Basque cuisine has also been a great influence over the cuisine in the southwest of France.Ingredients and dishes vary by region. There are many significant regional dishes that have become both national and regional. Many dishes that were once regional, however, have proliferated in different variations across the country in the present day. Cheese and wine are also a major part of the cuisine, playing different roles both regionally and nationally with their many variations and Appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) (regulated appellation) laws.

Things are getting plenty weird in the Canadian culinary scene - or at least the one east of Thunder Bay. Apparently Montrealers actually want to eat Toronto food, or at least food prepared by a handful of Hogtown's top toques. It's the annual Montreal Highlights Festival, which always includes a major chef visit: The Air France Wine and Dine...

Are you ready to try French food...REAL French food? This isn't fear factor, but you may begin to think so when you try this place out. Not only do they have some of the best wines in France, but they also have some of the most traditional French food as well.

Nigel Slater’s Real Food Antony Worrall Thompson Rick Stein’s Fruits of the Sea Rick Stein’s Seafood Odyssey James Martin Yorkshires Finest Rachel Allen Rachel’s Favourite Food for Living Two Fat Ladies Gary Rhodes’s New British Classics Iron Chef Oz and James’s Big Wine Adventure France Nigella Lawson Nigella Express

In France, eating well and staying slim is a constant preoccupation. But few people diet or go to the gym and no one takes food scares seriously. Another day, another diet scare. As British consumers panic about the latest report saying that red meat and wine may cause cancer. The French think we're hilarious with our faddy diets and food obsession

If you are looking for fine French wine and food, consider the Beaujolais region of southeastern France. You may find a bargain, and I hope that you’ll have fun on this fact-filled wine education tour in which we review a local red Beaujolais Cru (high quality) wine.Among France’s eleven wine-growing regions Beaujolais .......