Jamie Oliver's Food Escapes

Wonderful film – about food to be sure, but also about life in a small French village. I have spent a lot of time in France, mostly in Normandy and Alsace as well as Paris, and, while this village is in many ways quite different, the approach to food is what I remember best. The French, from Michelin 3-star restaurants to the corner bistro, take food seriously. They know what they’re cooking, they know how to cook it, they know and are willing to explain what’s in it. They want you to enjoy your meal and will be deeply saddened if you don’t. They will also make every effort to make certain you do enjoy it.For example, I am allergic to eggs. When we stopped in any French hotel I would first thing go and find the local bakery and explain my problem and ask that they make a special loaf for me in the morning. French baguettes are not made with eggs but are often brushed with dorure, an egg wash, to give them color and sheen. The baker would always agree to have a loaf ready for me in the morning on which only milk would be used as a wash.Another example. Many years ago, when the dollar bought 5 French francs, we treated ourselves to dinner at L'Auberge de l’Ill, a 3-star restaurant in the Alsatian town of Illhaeusern. It is very beautiful in a bucolic setting and is truly one of the great restaurants of the world. We ordered lobster boats to start – a schooner-shaped pastry in a lobster sauce. But first I of course told the waiter of my allergy; he called over the captain, who assured me there would be no egg in my lobster boat. When it was served some time later – of course everything is cooked to order – the sauce sure looked egg-based to me. I asked my wife to taste hers and she agreed there was egg in the sauce. Enormously disappointed – this was a very expensive dish even with the favorable exchange rate – I waved for the captain and told him that I could not eat this dish because, as my wife confirmed, there was clearly egg in it. Oh, Monsieur, he exclaimed, your wife did not indicate that she was allergic to eggs, only you, so of course, while the dish normally is made with eggs, there is not the slightest particle of egg in yours. And indeed there wasn’t.Well, we did not usually eat in 3-star or even 1-star restaurants but in every restaurant in France we always got that kind of knowledgeable and accommodating service. The simple bistros were very like the restaurants in this film where food rules and brings together people from different walks of life. We also noticed the dogs which can be found in all but the fanciest restaurants in France, though they would be absolutely barred in the US or the UK. Most of all the atmosphere of the restaurants Jamie features is spot on and is what makes France different – different from any other place on earth – different in the best possible way.

I have never watched Jamie Oliver before this show. I quite enjoyed it. He has a great time embracing the local culture and traditions while cooking. It's authentic. I then googled Jamie and saw the controversy about Jamie slitting a conscious lamb's throat. This series shows some hunting, which I consider the most humane way to eat meat. The animals live the way nature intended before death...in a quick instantaneous shot. And as for the lamb....it's life. It's not cruel to show children and adults a lovingly raised animal that is being slaughtered humanly for supper. I would argue that it is cruel to remain ignorant to the great sacrifice animals give, so that we can enjoy meat. With that honesty comes a profound respect for how great a gift meat is. In this series, Jamie's respect for culture, tradition, cooking and all of the ingredients shines. As does a sincere joy of cooking. I am now a fan.

I love this series. We started with the French Pyrenees online and then ended up buying all of the episodes. This series is really a look into what makes each city/area special, including the people and lifestyle. Food is such an important reflection of culture and geography, and Jamie really highlights the unique and special ingredients and cooking styles from each region. But he also talks to people, takes us to the markets in the different areas, takes us fishing and farming, etc. I feel like it is almost a travel show, but with a story that is told through food.

As a fan of Jamie's I was so looking forward to the rest of the series I had to cancel my Prime membership. After watching this episode (FREE with PRIME) I went to watch the next show and discovered they were charging for the remaining episodes. I had forgiven Prime, for making the FREE show I actually signed up for, to one that you have to pay to watch...but this was too much. So sad.

The honest earthy character of the people. The beautiful natural surroundings. Jamie Oliver creating beautiful French rustic dishes. The visuals of this region. This is just a wonderful story of people, tradition, cooking, eating and connection with each other and nature. Lovely, just lovely. Jamie Oliver is a breath of fresh air!

C'est très bon!Right to the heart of many Garde Manger dishes that originated in France.Love the combination of food, history, real people and Chef Oliver's talents and creativity to spin his dishes with more deliciousness from the original with style:)

I love Jamie anyway, but this was such a great episode that showcased the people and food of the French Pyrenees. I loved being able to see how life is in the small villages of the area, and the food just looks amazing. Jamie does such a great job of being open minded and willing to learn from others, while still having a great sense of humor about things. As for me--after this episode, I was ready to move to France!

This was really better than I expected. I really enjoy Jamie and his sensibilities around food and culture, but I only had a lukewarm feeling about this title when I saw it on Prime, but, being a fan, I watched it anyway. Very good, very entertaining as always, very educational. I want to go to the Pyrenees now.

Well done and very interesting...Jamie is at his culinary best leading the viewer on a wonderful tour of people and food around Europe, the Mediterranean and Marrakech. Casual cooking indoors and out with simple recipes that the locals love. Healthy and heartwarming, some I will try with what local foods I can find.

Sealed packaged with no damage to DVD case. Really enjoying this series. Typical Jamie style of breaking down instructions so anyone can follow. I love seeing the different destinations and learning new tips to add to my cooking repertoire

They worked on my regular DVD player, was a little worried but no issues at all. Its an enjoyable set, especially for foodies who love to travel and taste local food. He is funny and entertaining..Was a great christmas gift for the foodie in my life and I enjoyed watching it with him!

Liked it. Only issue is that there is 1 episode per disc. So, while there are 6 discs, there are only 6 episodes in total. Could have had 2 per disc and saved space. Also would have preferred to know there was only 6 episodes in total.

Jamie at his best. Don't know why its 6 discs though, its just one episode per disc. But they are good to watch