Annie Smithers is a celebrated French chef in Australia who has achieved a wonderful work life balance living in the country French style, growing her own produce from paddock to plate! Starting out in the early 80s in the kitchens of the famed Aussie restauranteur Stephanie Alexander, Annie has an amazing knowledge of French cooking, with its intricate techniques and traditional dishes. 

I love Annie's passion for working with the terroir when making up a menu. I also adored chatting with her about the history of food in France as well as nattering on with our observations of the evolution French life and how we connect with it here in Australia too. She has a wealth of knowledge, telling me all about particular breeds of chickens, about how the power of food creates memories, about various regional French dishes and cooking techniques including fabulous French sauce-work, about the temptation to buy a château on Instagram, just discussing the evolution of a quieter French life. For Annie's French way of life it is all about the French food that brings people together! 

Tune into to escape to France and share the joy with us.



**Note this episode was recorded onsite at Annie's home at Babbington Park. Patience with the sound will be required momentarily at the start, with the regular high Loulabelle's sound quality returning after the first few minutes.

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Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.
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