The French Table Diaries with Trish Deseine

Welcome!

I'm an Irish cookbook author and food writer, born in Belfast and raised in the Co. Antrim countryside. For thirty years I've lived in and around Paris, twenty of those in the foodiest of French families (wine negociants on one side, flour millers on the other), raising four children, working at first in fashion and tourism. And, like most of my French girlfriends of the time, aspiring to the ultimately impossible Superwoman Parisienne norms of the 1990s. 

​Then, out of the blue, just as I was starting a chocolate business and expecting my fourth child in true Superwoman style (massive eyeroll), I was approached by French publishers Hachette to write my first cookbook, “Petits Plats entre Amis” (Marabout 2001). To my complete shock and delight, it was a hit, and I leapt into my new, unexpected career.

I've now published over thirty, often award-winning (the latest, in 2020, ‘My Comfort Food’ was awarded Le Grand Prix Eugénie Brazier), widely translated books in English and French, presented five cookery TV series for the BBC and RTÉ , and in 2009 I was listed as one of French Vogue and GQ’s40 Women of the decade. Here's a BBC Radio 4 Food Programme  where I talk to Sheila Dillon about my this period of my life in France and return (escape!) to Ireland in 2015  after a very French divorce. 

I'm also immensely proud to be The Gloss Magazine's food columnist. I've written and continue to write about food, travel and restaurants for ELLE and ELLE à Table, Régal,  France Magazine, Wallpaper Guides, The Guardian, The Observer Food Monthly, Libération, The Sunday Times and The Irish Times. 

​These days, home is Normandy, in the sleepy, green and beautiful Perche region, birthplace of the world's most noble and fragrant heavy horses. In many ways I've come full circle, living in the country again and launching a new small business.

Here, I’ll be posting regular free recipes - from my Neff/The Gloss collaboration, from my archive, as well as general foodie chitchat. A paid subscription means you can comment on posts and join me as I explore le Perche and beyond, and behind the scenes in my kitchen as I start work on my new French book with Hachette Cuisine, coming in 2024. The fee also gives subscribers first dibs on my French Table brocante tableware as well as a 10% discount on any purchase. I’d be delighted if you would help support my work and join my little club!

A bientôt. Je vous embrasse. Tx