I have always had a passion for food. Growing up in South Africa with a French mother who loved travel and was a great cook, I developed very early on a love for cooking and eating. I started off my career as a Chartered Accountant working in the accounting world, hospitality, entertainment world before moving to Paris in my mid twenties. This was heaven for a foodie like me, daily trips to my local market, glorious food everywhere.
While pregnant with my daughter, Nicole, now 26, I attended courses at Le Cordon Bleu. A few years later which included a stint in Copenhagen, London and back to Paris, my ex-husband, daughter and I moved to Los Angeles, for what we thought would be two years. Well, 17 years later a lot has happened. I changed careers to being an educator and worked in a private girls school, got divorced and then met the most wonderful man, my husband, Stuart. We married in January 2015. All the while, I continued my passion for cooking and food. Loving nothing more than trying out new recipes, experimenting in the kitchen and of course, eating. I have taught small group and private cooking lessons for 20 years now and as we embark on a new life in the Dordogne, France in July 2015, I am so excited about the experiences awaiting us.
I look forward to discovering new foods and wines from every region of France.
2020 update: in December 2018 we left the beautiful and green Dordogne and started a new chapter on the sunny Côte d’Azur. Sea views, blue skies and sun are our new daily norm.
Food and life is about sharing and I can’t wait for you to join me in my adventures in my home and kitchen!
How exciting….you have found your true passion. I’m married to a SA Chartered Accountant who just loves renovatiing houses, you CA’s are really strange people. Wishing you all the best in the Dordogne and look forward to your progress in this wonderful region.
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Thanks. We certainly are an interesting bunch!!
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Do you live in France?
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Now, that’s an idyllic life! One of my favorite parts of the world.
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It is a beautiful place.
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I am also an accountant before.. I decided to change my career and I am studying now about baking and pastry, i really love what i am doing now, more than what i am doing in the office before.. Thank you for sharing your life story and knowledge about cooking. I really admire your works and i will try some of your recipes. Again thank you..😊 ❤️
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Best of luck. It was the best decision I ever made. Where are you located?
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What a lovely bio! Glad you found the love of your life!!! Where are you in the Dordogne?
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Merci. We are in the countryside, nearest village is Journiac. Halfway between Sarlat and Bergerac.
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Oh, Sarlat is beautiful! I’ve been there with Stéphane from my French heaven just last May!
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Wishing you a joyful and gourmande life in France!
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Merci beaucoup.
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Nice to meet you Nadia. You are indeed lucky to be able to do what you love so much! And what a lovely place to be too -in France! Best wishes!
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Nice to meet you too. Bienvenue!
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Hi Nadia, I just wanted to pop over and say hi, and thank you for the ‘like’ on my Salad in a Bread Bowl post. I see you are from South Africa originally, where about exactly?, I have lived in my entire life here and love it. You certainly have had an adventurous life, and what an amazing place to settle. All the best with everything. I look forward in reading more of your blog. Have a wonderful week 🙂
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Nadia 🙂 You have a new follower…Your blog is stunning. 🙂
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Thanks very much. Bienvenue!
I am from Sea Point originally. Actually going to be there soon as Being featured on Showcook and Home and Garden. Great to have you onboard.
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Nadia,
I am looking forward to reading your blog. I was in Paris from 1984-85 as an au pair while I studied at the Sorbonne. What a glorious year that was! Your blog reminds me of my mom’s cooking while I was growing up. She was a fabulous cook. I feel that I am an amateur cook but in another life, I may have followed the path of cooking! Thank you for looking at my blog. I am looking forward to reading your recipes and hearing more about your life in a small French village.
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You must have great memories of your time in Paris.
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Thank you so much for following my blog …. I’ll endeavour not to disappoint! The area you have settled in is very beautiful indeed – I look forward to discovering more by virtue of following your blog – how could I resist? 🙂
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Likewise, thanks for stopping by and joining my blog. Bienvenue!
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I’ve just nominated you for a blogger appreciation award – feel free to join in or ignore as you choose https://osyth.wordpress.com/2016/02/16/if-it-is-not-indigestion-it-must-be-gratitude/
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Thank you very much.
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De rien 🙂
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It’s an enjoyable experience when I get to see true food art.. I am in love with your kitchen too !
I’m so looking forward to trying to make your recipes work in my tiny kitchen..
Now I’m off to explore your blog ! 😊
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Thank you, I love it too. Hope you can make lots of my recipes in your tiny one.
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I’m sure going to give them a good try..
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Hi Nadia, what a lovely blog you have! We really loved going through the recipes, so original!
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Thank you very much for visiting. Hope you will stop in again.
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Thank you for stopping by my blog. I am envious of living in France. Never been but want to. Looking forward to seeing what you are up too. I’m glad you have met the love of your life. Everyone deserves to be with someone who loves them.
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Thank you. I am living my dream and wish everyone could experience that too.
Thanks for stopping by my blog and joining. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy sharing my recipes and travels. Bienvenue!
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Wow you have had lived in some amazing places. Your recipes must quite eclectic if influenced by all the different places you have lived. It must be so lovely and quite idyllic living in the Dordogne. Looking forward to reading more about your life and recipes.
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Yes, they are a real mix of all the cultures and places I have lived in and visited. I think that makes them interesting and hope you do to. I am very lucky to be living my dream.
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It is wonderful to read about you Nadia. You have a great blog! Look forward to reading many of your posts:)
Thanks for stopping by mine!
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Nice to meet you!! You have a life very full of wonderful experiences…and the France in fantastic..I love it!! I’ve never been in Dordogne…I think is beautiful!! See you soon!! Pam
PS sorry for my English
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Happy to join in on your adventures and see more of your delicious posts. 🙂
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Thanks for stopping by and joining my blog. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy sharing my recipes and travel stories with you. Welcome Aboard.
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Interesting, no fascinating life. Your blog is super. Some different recipes I have to try. Interested you hail from RSA. I love it…and I will try a few of the recipes from there. Thank you
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Thank you. I really enjoy sharing my meals with my readers.
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I am glad to have met you Nadia and your story fascinates me. Have you read Kathleen Flynn’s “The Sharper the Knife, the Less You Cry” – about her year at le Cordon Bleu in Paris ? I loved that book! I just wanted to add (didn’t want to go on about it on Susan’s page) that Gordon’s Bay isn’t quite the place it was 30 – 40 years ago. But then, how many places are ?
regards, Jeanne
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So glad to have met you too, Jeanne. No, I have not read that book but will most definitely add it to my list for my next online order. I look forward to hearing more about your life.
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Hi Nadia. I’ve just discovered your blog and will follow with interest. I live nearby in Sainte Foy la Grande and have visited your area often, and the truffle market at Sainte-Alvère. Have you read the books of Martin Walker who lives near Le Bugue ? They are a fascinating insight into the food, wine and history of the countryside where you live.
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Hi,
So glad you found me. My husband is a big fan of Martin’s books and has read them all. We have met him often and he is a very charming man. The next one he is writing actually involves a cookery school. Can’t wait to read it.
Let me know if you are in the area and do pop in for coffee or an apéro.
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Hi, I read about you on Stefan’s Gourmet Blog. I love French cousin a lot, so … I’m glad to follow you. Bye. Paola
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Welcome and pleased to meet you.
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What exciting adventures and a glorious blog! I look forward to following.
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Thank you. I do hope you enjoy following it. Welcome aboard.
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Hi Nadia
We’re heading your way in late June. With your experience of the area you would have some ‘Queer Little Restaurants’ (https://keenoneurope.blog/2017/04/23/queer-little-restaurants/) to recommend wouldn’t you? Be keen to hear.
We were in a place called Mersac sur Tarn a few years ago and we got escorted to a tiny place that wasn’t a restaurant but was serving meals…we had a 5 course meal matched with localwines. Amazing. We’ll never find it again (we were escorted there) and suspect it was an invite only event and we were in the right place at the right time.
We love your blog site.
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Merci. Will look on map to see where you are and send some names.
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Where are you based this time?
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Hi Nadia, We’ll be based around Montguyon we think. We’re flexible as we have a motorhome.
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That is almost 2 hours away from me. But here are a few great, cheap, family run places near me. They have a set menu du jour, no carte. Around €14 for 4 courses, wine and coffee.
La Taverne, in Buisson de Cadouin
Un Coin de vie, in La Douze
Le Cendrieux in Cendrieux
In my blog there is a post on a superb routier near Montbazillac, can’t remember name offhand.
Let me know if you are near me and we can meet up.
Use my email: nadiakgraves@gmail.com or text
0661183701
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Many thanks. Things always look closer on google maps. Thanks for the recommendation.
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Nadia, I read about your upComing hand surgery on ‘Our French Oasis’ and just wanted to say that I will hold you in my thoughts and hope that you make a swifter than swiftest and full recovery. Do take good care of yourself. Best wishes. Osyth.
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Merci. I am hoping for the same.
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My husband had his second hand given radiation treatment for Dupuytroyns Contracture earlier this year – the first was done 2 years ago. Although we both have hesitations about the notion of radiation, the alternative which is a decline into entirely useless hands was unthinkable. Sadly the treatment is not available in the UK where my brother-in-law lives and he is living proof of why it must be treated. One’s hands are amongst the most precious things we have. Warmest wishes.
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Seems ridiculous that it is not offered in the US. Hope he is 100%better now.
Have a great evening. Bisous.
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UK not US … my typo I expect …
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Bonjour 🙂 Looking froward to discovering new recipes (even French ones ahah, you might make me rediscover my own cuisine!).
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