Chris Newens on 'Moveable Feasts': A Culinary Tour of Paris's 20 Districts

Exploring Paris Through Its Cuisine

• 💡 Chris Newens, author of "Moveable Feasts: Paris in 20 Meals," aims to build a portrait of Paris by exploring its diverse food landscape across all 20 districts.
• 🎯 The book goes beyond traditional French bistros to include a broader range of cuisines, such as Vietnamese food and kebabs, reflecting how ordinary Parisians eat.

Discovering Diverse Neighborhood Flavors

• 🗺️ Newens highlights how specific neighborhoods, or 'cartiers,' are identifiable by the communities and their associated foods.
• 🌍 He delves into the specific example of the 18th Arrondissement, exploring the significant North African and Sub-Saharan African communities, including a deep dive into Congolese food and a notable catfish restaurant.

Navigating Paris's Culinary Scene

• 🔍 To find unique culinary spots, Newens sometimes employed local food guides, particularly in less familiar arrondissements like the 13th.
• 🍜 This approach led to discovering exceptional dishes, such as the most incredible banh mi in the 13th Arrondissement's Chinatown area.

A Guide for Locals and Tourists

• 📖 The book is designed for both tourists seeking authentic Parisian experiences beyond the central areas and locals who may discover new sides of their own city.
• 👨‍🍳 Newens' credentials stem from a family history of running a bakery and tea room in London for 160 years, combined with over 10 years of living in Paris.

The Heart of Parisian Food Culture: Markets

• 🛒 Newens identifies Paris's markets as exemplifying its food culture, particularly those in central arrondissements.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 He was astonished by the passion of market vendors who wake early to select the best produce from Rungis wholesale market and serve generations of local families.

Translating Parisian Flavors

• 🇫🇷 While the book is in English, Newens has a potential French title, "Festin Mobile," a pun on "feast" and "pen" (writing), and hopes Parisians would be interested in discovering other parts of their city through it.