The French Ingredient

Making a Life in Paris One Lesson at a Time: A Memoir

By: Jane Bertch

Narrated by: Barrie Kreinik

The inspiring and delicious memoir of an American woman who had the gall to open a cooking school in Paris—a true story of triumphing over French naysayers and falling in love with a city along the way

“An engaging, multilayered story of a woman navigating innumerable cultural differences to build a life in Paris and create her dream: to establish a French cooking school.”—David Lebovitz, author of My Paris Kitchen

When Jane Bertch was seventeen, her mother took her on a graduation trip to Paris. Thrilled to use her high school French, Jane found her halting attempts greeted with withering condescension by every waiter and shopkeeper she encountered. At the end of the trip, she vowed she would never return.

Yet a decade later she found herself back in Paris, transferred there by the American bank she worked for. She became fluent in the language and excelled in her new position. But she had a different dream: to start a cooking school for foreigners like her, who wanted to take a few classes in French cuisine in a friendly setting, then bring their new skills to their kitchens back home. Predictably, Jane faced the skeptical French—how dare an American banker start a cooking school in Paris?—as well as real-estate nightmares, and a long struggle to find and attract clients.

Thanks to Jane’s perseverance, La Cuisine Paris opened in 2009. Now the school is thriving, welcoming international visitors to come in and knead dough, whisk bechamel, whip meringue, and learn the care, precision, patience, and beauty involved in French cooking.

The French Ingredient is the story of a young female entrepreneur building a life in a city and culture she grew to love. As she established her school, Jane learned how to charm, how to project confidence, and how to give it right back to rude waiters. Having finally made peace with the city she swore to never revisit, she now offers a love letter to France, and a master class in Parisian cooking—and living.

©2024 Jane Bertch (P)2024 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“I love everything about this book. I love how Jane Bertch tells her story with sparkle and charm even when her prospects are daunting and dim. I love that the school she created from a dream grew to be cherished around the world. I love Jane’s spirit and can-do-ness and how she figured out the very tricky balance of being an American in Paris. And I love what she teaches us about facing challenges, holding on to what’s dear and sharing what’s learned. Like its author, The French Ingredient is funny, generous, witty, wise and whip smart.”—Dorie Greenspan, New York Times bestselling author of Baking with Dorie

“I loved following Jane around Paris as she built her dream business. I relished her excitements and frustrations as she absorbed her new life and balanced it with her commitments from home. Savvy, determined, resourceful Jane—her exhilarating story lures us all to take a big chance. Or at least to move to Paris.”—Frances Mayes, author of Women in Sunlight

“A rare Paris memoir that’s astute and boldly honest about how challenging it is to create a happy life in this beautiful city . . . It takes intelligence, charm, hard work, and gumption to prevail in Paris. Jane has all of these qualities, which is why the story of how she built a life and an internationally renowned cooking school in Paris is such a fascinating read.”—Alexander Lobrano, author of My Place at the Table

So much to enjoy!

The story was entertaining and enlightening and very delightfully read. I highly recommend it. Be sure to download it.

Relatable

Insider access to French ideas and culture. I loved every bit of the story. A journey in many ways.

Excellent and Entertaining

This was a lot of fun! A great lesson in cultures, enginuity, and persistence. Great listen!

France is the best

having lived in France, I loved reading this about another's perspective. It was a joy to listen to, and I am very much looking forward to going back to visit again.

I enjoyed the storytelling.

I enjoyed the storytelling. I also enjoyed the interjections of French customs. The author knows how to interject humor into the stories.

I enjoyed it so much that I wish it had been longer…

Not only did I totally love this book, but my husband, who has very little interest in cooking, got hooked! A perfect dive into French life, culture and cuisine from an American perspective. Very well written and the performance was stellar. It’s one of those books that had me sad because it ended. I’ve already started planning my La Cuisine tour for my next visit to Paris.

Slow starter, last third the most interesting.

I never really get into caring a lot about the main character. However, in the last third of the book, the author talked about the difference between how the French do things compared to people and government in the US. Thatwas what held my interest the most.

The French Ingredient is Inspiring!

When Jane Bertch said that La Cuisine Paris is not exactly a cooking school but a place to make memories, she stated precisely what all cooking schools, heck, all schools, should be about: everyone learns better with memorable experiences. From a business perspective, Jane Bertch recognized who her students are right away (or a few months, give or take): English-speaking foodies who want to level up their Paris experience, not aspiring culinary professionals. The book is part memoir, part travelogue, and part business book. LCP should be a required case study for all expat business students. The French Ingredient is one book I wish would not end, a story you'd long for what's next. Jane Bertch is the honest version of a real Emily in Paris. She's from Chicago and, at least, a better cook.

The French Ingredient

Wonderful true story of a person fulfilling her dream of opening a French cooking school.

Lovely story

It was like listening to a friend tell a story. Lovely topic and I really enjoyed the reading and the content. I hope to visit the actual school in Paris one day.