It was lunchtime in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés district of Paris. My stomach was grumbling, and I was on the hunt for a restaurant away from the usual tourist traps. As I wandered down a quiet street, I noticed a modest bistro. I usually wouldn’t give it a second glance, but something drew me in. The moment I stepped inside, I was greeted by a cozy atmosphere. There were only about 15 tables, each adorned with vases of pink hydrangeas, suggesting the establishment was owned by a woman.
A quaint bistro with a feminine touch. The author is intrigued by its simple charm.
A friendly woman of a certain age, who turned out to be the restaurant’s owner and manager, seated me. This was a fortunate coincidence, as I was looking for a female chef and restaurateur to interview. I knew that while women chefs were becoming more common in Paris, men still dominated the industry.
The author’s quest to interview a female chef leads her to an unexpected encounter with the restaurant owner.
Fédérique, or “Fred” as her regulars called her, presented the day’s menu, handwritten on a chalkboard. She changes it daily, offering a variety of mouthwatering dishes. Vegetables are Fred’s passion, as evident in her starter, “salade des legumes.” It was a delightful medley of green beans, arugula, and asparagus, all tossed in a creamy vinaigrette. For my main course, I savored succulent “travers de porc poêlée sautés,” slightly sweet short ribs accompanied by a generous portion of buttery small white potatoes.
Fred’s culinary expertise is evident in her fresh, seasonal dishes, showcasing her love for vegetables.
Over coffee, as the lunchtime crowd thinned, Fred joined me for a chat. This is a rarity in larger restaurants. Fred explained that she reinvented herself as a chef about a decade ago. Before that, she worked in the film and television industry. In fact, both her parents were actors. As our conversation continued, I made a surprising discovery.
Fred’s unique journey from the film industry to the culinary world is revealed, hinting at a possible connection to the world of cinema.
When I first arrived in France at the age of 23 to teach English, I spent a lot of time at the movies to improve my French. The most impactful film I saw was “Le Vieux Fusil” (The Old Gun). Set in Paris near the end of World War II, as the Germans were in retreat, the story revolves around a doctor who, worried about the safety of his beautiful wife (Romi Schneider) and their young daughter, sends them away to the countryside, with tragic consequences.
A brief flashback to the author’s early days in France, introducing the film that sparked her love for French cinema.
This was my first encounter with Philippe Noiret’s acting, and I was captivated by his performance. Like other “everyman” actors like Jimmy Stewart, Michael Caine, Tom Wilkinson, or Tom Hanks, Noiret graced over 140 films, achieving international fame for his role as the film projectionist in the Italian drama “Cinema Paradiso,” which won Best Foreign Film at the Academy Awards in 1988.
The author shares her admiration for Philippe Noiret, comparing him to other iconic actors.
However, there was one Noiret film I hadn’t seen – “Coup de Torchon.” And guess what? That was the name of the very restaurant I had stumbled upon, owned by the French woman who was now handing me my bill.
A surprising twist reveals the connection between the restaurant’s name and Philippe Noiret’s filmography.
Fred, I learned, is Philippe Noiret’s daughter. In a country with a population of 66 million, I had somehow walked into a tiny restaurant owned by the only daughter of one of the most famous actors in France! My favorite actor!
The author’s astonishment at this unexpected revelation is palpable.
Fédérique named her delightful restaurant after one of her father’s films. The meaning of “Coup de Torchon” is “Clean Slate,” a perfect reflection of Fred’s decision to embark on a new path, a clean slate for her and a tribute to her beloved father.
The name of the restaurant holds a poignant meaning, signifying a fresh start and a loving tribute to her father.
Diana Bishop has reported world events as a professional journalist with some of the most respected broadcast networks on the planet. She now writes about being a woman of a certain age and her passion for Paris, where delving into the changing perceptions of ageism, feminism, and femininity is as natural as breathing: www.womanofacertainageinparis.com
The author introduces herself and her website, highlighting her writing about her life in Paris and her reflections on aging and femininity.
