Your Go to Guide to French Food, Wine & Gastronomy

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What we do?

We are your ultimate guide to French Cooking, Food, Wine & Gastronomy, providing mentoring, coaching, and education in a fun environment, helping aspiring home cooks improve their skills and knowledge to become a more confident cook and host.

Why we do it?

I believe everyone can be a good cook. Whether you're hosting a dinner party for eight or preparing a family meal, with the right mentoring and coaching, you can cook like a professional - and most importantly, enjoy yourself while doing it!

How do we do it?

Learning is done in a fun, enjoyable environment where everyone goes at their own speed. We provide different levels of membership to the society. Starting at access to the website blogs, to online group training, to one-on-one training, and ultimately private dining and access to our French immersion holidays.

Latest Articles

Soupe à l’Oignon: A Humble Beginning with a Rich Legacy

By Ian Crow | April 8, 2025

Few dishes in French cuisine capture the balance of simplicity and depth like soupe à l’oignon, or French onion soup. With its deep […]

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Steak Frites the Raymond Blanc Way: A French Classic Made Perfect

By Ian Crow | April 8, 2025

There are few dishes that capture the essence of French bistro cooking quite like steak frites. It’s simple, unfussy, and—when done properly—utterly sublime. […]

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Floyd on France: The Book That Lit My Path to French Gastronomy

By Ian Crow | April 8, 2025

My journey into French gastronomy didn’t begin in a Provençal market or a Parisian bistro—it began in Waterstones, Manchester, in the […]

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Cheese: The Importance of the Cheese Course and Ettiquette in Serving it.

By Ian Crow | April 2, 2025

Preparing and Enjoying the Traditional French Cheese Course In France, cheese isn’t merely a snack or casual appetizer: it is […]

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French Gourmet Cooking Retreat in South West France

By Ian Crow | April 1, 2025

Hands on Learning with expert Chef and Wine Connoisseurs Since starting French Foodies Society I have been asked many times […]

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Classic Stocks and Mother Sauces of French Cuisine

By Ian Crow | April 1, 2025

French cuisine has long been synonymous with depth of flavor, meticulous technique, and a deep respect for foundational methods. At […]

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Hi, I’m Chef Ian!

Chef & Founder of French Foodies Society

Ever since I can remember, I’ve had two big dreams: to live in France and to open my own restaurant. In 2016, I achieved both at once by launching a cozy 30-seat bistro in the Charente region, about an hour north of Bordeaux. Despite arriving with no professional culinary training—and barely speaking a word of French—I quickly discovered that good food transcends language. Locals and expats alike embraced our eclectic mix of British favorites (think fish & chips and curry) alongside rustic French cooking.

Over the years, my culinary journey has taken me from running a restaurant near a motor racing circuit to working as a private chef in the ski chalets of Meribel and Courchevel, catering to elite guests. Originally from Manchester, I’ve cooked for professional footballers, led a boutique hotel kitchen in Scotland, and embraced the diverse experiences each role brings.

I founded French Foodies Society to share my passion for French cuisine—whether through online coaching, exploring French gastronomy, or hosting private dinners. In spring 2026, I plan to offer a full French immersion holiday in Southwest France. I look forward to helping you create unforgettable culinary experiences, no matter where you are in the world!

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