Marcus Wareing in Provence

A clown, how rude Freya5

merlotgran

I enjoyed it apart from the episode on school dinners.

The comparison between a very small school in south east France and our primary schools was ridiculous.
Marcus marvelling at the children eating bread from a bowl on the table and not chucking it about made me angry.

As far as I’m concerned that put him in the same ‘let’s sneer at the British’ camp as Rick Stein.

Yes, these supposedly British Chefs can't wait to sneer at this country, any opportunity, especially both biased towards France . Don't watch Stein anymore, books gone to charity shops, and wont be watching this clown either.
Even the Strawbridges have a dig when they can. At least they went to live in their "perfect country".

merlotgran

Mamie

Indeed, but in fairness the school day is much longer. The children don’t get home until 5 or 6pm.

Heavens! The little ones must be very tired by that time.

I remember one of Rick Stein’s episodes on France where he criticised working Brits for eating at their desks rather than enjoying leisurely lunches.

Yes, Rick. It’s how they earn their money so they can eat in your overpriced restaurants!

The restaurants are expensive because the staff need decent wages.

merlotgran

I enjoyed it apart from the episode on school dinners.

The comparison between a very small school in south east France and our primary schools was ridiculous.
Marcus marvelling at the children eating bread from a bowl on the table and not chucking it about made me angry.

As far as I’m concerned that put him in the same ‘let’s sneer at the British’ camp as Rick Stein.

You obviously haven't seen Rick Stein's latest series about British food. I've only seen one, where he went to Bury market, tried Eccles cakes and lots of lovely cheese, bought some black pudding and made Scotch eggs using that along with the minced meat.

He was fulsome in his praise.

merlotgran

^I taught English in primary schools for a bit and the staff had a four course lunch including cheese board every day^

I think this says more about the school system than the actual food.

How lovely for teachers to have time for a four course lunch including a cheese board. My deputy head DD and yr 5 teacher DGD would both laugh at the very thought. In my secondary school teaching days I was lucky if I had time to grab a sandwich.!

He was right though. The French as a nation are healthier than Brits, and part of the reason for that is they eat better, more considered meals instead of sandwiches and crisps at their desks.

I would absolutely love to be staying in that appartment and to visit all those amazing food producers.. how wonderful..

I like Marcus Wareing because he doesn't dominate the screen and he blushes when he receives compliments.. but I think he somehow undervalues how brilliant British cooking is nowadays

I would be interested to see how much it costs to make this series, and if it pays for itself if the BBC are able to sell it to other channels If they cannot make the money back for all of the expense involved, then it is the Licence payer, thats you and me, that will be paying for the privilege.
Watching these celebrities enjoy foreign places, promoting merchandise, selling cook books etc, is a bit much, when the BBC do so much enabling for them.
I have to admit though, I do enjoy some of them, Marcus Wareing in particular. Tom Kerridge has sold out, overcharging for his totally average fish and chips, as has been reported.

Mamie

Indeed, but in fairness the school day is much longer. The children don’t get home until 5 or 6pm.

Heavens! The little ones must be very tired by that time.

I remember one of Rick Stein’s episodes on France where he criticised working Brits for eating at their desks rather than enjoying leisurely lunches.

Yes, Rick. It’s how they earn their money so they can eat in your overpriced restaurants!

Indeed, but in fairness the school day is much longer. The children don’t get home until 5 or 6pm.

I taught English in primary schools for a bit and the staff had a four course lunch including cheese board every day

I think this says more about the school system than the actual food.

How lovely for teachers to have time for a four course lunch including a cheese board. My deputy head DD and yr 5 teacher DGD would both laugh at the very thought. In my secondary school teaching days I was lucky if I had time to grab a sandwich.!

Yes! Came upon it by chance. Delightful.

I agree with the comments here. France, especially, has a very different relationship with food. It's a cultural thing and even an accomplished chef won't go changing our tastes and customs.
Yes, I couldn't believe how long French school children remained seated at the table when I was teaching. And how they actually had interesting conversations about the food.

I watched one of the Marcus Wareing programmes and thought it was a bit dated with too many clichés about France and French food that don't really reflect reality here now. The school lunches are good though; I taught English in primary schools for a bit and the staff had a four course lunch including cheese board every day. Packed lunches for children were not a thing, if they didn't eat the lunch, then they went home. Their behaviour at lunch was impeccable.

I too get annoyed when celebrity chefs make programmes in a foreign country and proceed to be critical of the country that made them famous! I think James Martin is guilty of this too.
Come on guys ... Lets have some loyalty, for goodness sake!

That slot on BBC2 is now filled by Clive Myrie touring the Caribbean. I loved his series on Italy and this seems to be equally entertaining. I also enjoyed Marcus Wareing's programmes set in Provence but you'll have to find those on i-Player now.

I used to have a crush on him but he sold his soul I think. I don't really get simple French food anyway...

I agree merlotgran it was unnecessary and disappointing.

I enjoyed it apart from the episode on school dinners.

The comparison between a very small school in south east France and our primary schools was ridiculous.
Marcus marvelling at the children eating bread from a bowl on the table and not chucking it about made me angry.

As far as I’m concerned that put him in the same ‘let’s sneer at the British’ camp as Rick Stein.

MayBee70

What channel?

BBC2 6.30pm, and I assume also on I Player

Lovely gentle programme.

What channel?

Gorgeous to me too - he's aging extremely well! I very much enjoyed his Kitchen Garden series