Food bloggers, Instagramers and Twitter users holding a table of diners captive, forks poised over plates, while they try to snap the perfect image of the meal they’ve just cooked or ordered, is a common sight. That doesn’t mean it’s a universally accepted practice; on the contrary, it can be a source of hunger-fuelled irritation.
But eating lukewarm dinners is a thing of the past for food writer, stylist and photographer Béatrice Peltre, one of the growing band of bloggers who have turned their hobby into a profession. "My photo shoots now happen during my work day – and everyone is much happier this way," says the French-born, Boston-based writer, who has just published her second cookery book, My French Family Table.
“I started my food blog, latartinegourmande.com years ago, when blogs were not as widespread, with the simple desire to share recipes with friends who kept asking for them. That’s also when I realised that food styling and food photography were dedicated professions. And because I had always had a deep interest in visual arts and food, I thought: ‘that’s what I want to do’,” says Peltre.
She’s coming to Ireland next month, and will do a book signing at Hodges Figgis on August 16th. But the real reason for the visit is the christening of her son Rémy, her second child and brother to Lulu (six).
“My parents-in-law are Irish and many of my husband Philip’s family live in the Dublin area. Philip lived in Portmarnock between age six to 11, and his grandmother lived in Malahide for over 60 years – she passed away a few years ago at age 97.”
The family are regular visitors to Ireland. “I have seen the food scene change and thrive beautifully since my first visit more than 15 years ago. I am a big fan of Avoca restaurants and shops, and always try to visit new farms and local producers.”
A decade ago, Peltre gave up eating gluten, and began adapting her recipes. “I realised that removing gluten from my diet resolved a series of symptoms I could not get rid of with a more traditional medical approach. This change in my lifestyle has been extremely positive, generally speaking, even if at first it was hard to accept.
“Now, with my recipes, I love to see I can help people with gluten intolerance regain confidence in the kitchen. I’ve realised that many people share a similar relationship with gluten. It could be prevalent now simply because people have learned to be more aware of the effect of certain foods on their body, which is a great thing.
“When people come to my house, I never mention that we eat gluten-free as I don’t want to make it stand out. It’s food for everyone and the focus is on enjoying delicious foods.”
Peltre, who was born in north-east France, and lived in New Zealand before moving to the US, retains a very French approach to food and eating. Table setting, and preserving the ritual of sitting down and eating together, are important to her, but she also wants “to demystify the belief that French cuisine means fine dining and is inaccessible”.
“I grew up in a household where home cooking was the norm, and so was keeping a vegetable garden. So I pay close attention to seasonality and choose my ingredients for their quality.
“Health is always a priority but enjoyment with food even more so. I want to teach my children to love and respect food, to grow a healthy relationship with food, the way I did as a young girl.
“My cooking is undeniably French in its roots as I use classics, but I like to reinvent them and add my own touches, with loads of vegetables, fruit, and grains, and always a flavour that makes the dish stand out.”
