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Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Another Fine French Book Giveaway!

Mark Craft and Diane Shaskin are crazy passionate about three things: France, food and wine. They live most of the year on Vancouver Island where they pine away for France and count the minutes until they can return. Over the years, the say, they've cooked and eaten their way through a small fortune in France. And for more years than they can count, they dreamed of ways to share the France that they know and love. Finally, they launched Paris to Provence last year, offering culinary tours in France. And this year they launched Paris Insiders Guide, a free online travel guide. They also publish another site called French Things Women Love

But wait, there's more: Mark and Diane have also written three books (when do they sleep?), the latest of which is How to Cook Bouillabaisse in 37 Easy Steps. It's a 308-page travel/cookbook recapping many of their favorite French culinary escapades, with 49 easy French recipes.

"How to Cook Bouillabaisse is us reflecting on how lucky we are to be in France," Mark says. "But I think there's something fresh about it too. To some, Paris and Provence are art and architecture, monuments and breathtaking landscapes, lavender fields and vineyards. But to us it always boils down to one thing--our next meal. Of course there's also our previous meal, and the meal that got away, and what new wines to try! This book lets you spend time with us in the boucherie learning from the butcher how to roast the perfect lamb; in a cooking class at the Ritz in Paris where the chef sings Motown to us; and learning to make authentic bouillabaisse from an eccentric chef in Avignon...to name just a few."

Because they love Provence Post--clearly, this is a couple with good taste!--Mark and Diane are offering two copies of Bouillabaisse as a giveaway. Simply leave a comment below and we'll pick the winners next week. When you comment, be sure leave your email address in the body of the comment or we won't be able to reach you.

If you want to buy the book, you can order it from Amazon US or from Amazon Canada. Or you can order directly from Mark and Diane's website, in which case they'll throw in free shipping for a limited time.

If you'd like a copy of their e-book The Paris Luxury Food Guide, you can download it free if you sign up for their newsletter at Paris to Provence here.

And if you'd like to reach the couple directly, you may email them:  mark@paristoprovence.ca or diane@paristoprovence.ca. Chances are you'll find them enjoying a long lunch in some sun-dappled French vineyard....or hunched over their laptops at home finalizing details for their next trip. Either way, they'll get back to you as quickly as they can. Meanwhile, enter the giveaway tout suite and bonne chance in winning the book!


*Note: How to Cook Boullabaisse...was just named best Canadian book in the French Cuisine category in the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards. Bravo to Mark and Diane!

29 comments:

  1. My two favourite things in life too; France and Food. I would love to win a copy, many thanks.
    jacqui.brown@orange.fr

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  2. I go to Marseille once a year for the BOUILLABAISSE! The book sounds great.

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  3. I've read their book. It's a great read and some fabulous recipes, adapted to North American ingredients and measurements. I'm not entering myself in the contest however....I've already got a copy!

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  4. Love France - lived there for 8 years
    The places to eat where everyone eats the same meal cooked and served by the owner which last for hours and include refills of wine and bread at no extra cost are fantastic starting at 12 and still there at 3 !
    Would love this book please pretty please
    Xxx
    anne.rix@sky.com

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  5. Sounds fun and informative! As a new transport (and baker) from California, where we take our food pretty seriously, I too am usually thinking about my next meal here in Aix! I just found your website yesterday and am loving it already!

    Thanks so much!
    Tessa
    Blacksheepbaking.com
    tessa248@gmail.com

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  6. hi, it's great following some of what you are doing through your terrific blog :). perhaps a don't understand what "give away" means...-- is it that its a free download? or?

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  7. Hi DebDeb,
    Since you left no email address or website, this is the only way I have to reach you! The giveaway means that people who want to win a copy of the book leave a comment. Then we pick two comments and those two people each win a copy of the book, sent to them by the author. It's a "real" book--not a download. If you care to leave another comment with your email address, we can contact you if you win. Good luck!

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  8. We used to live in Plymouth and my wife and I loved sailing on the ferry over to Brittany and staying for all-too-brief weekends.
    We discovered the fantastic fruits de mer, true Breton cider, incredible decorated Easter eggs, and countless wines and desserts.
    Now we are in America we have to experience the French life vicariously. This book would help ease the longing as we can make your authentic recipies.

    shelsmith66@gmail.com

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  9. We used to live in Plymouth and frequently spent all-too-brief weekends in Brittany.
    We discovered fantastic fruits de mer with dreamy, fresh oysters, authentic Breton cider, incredible Easter eggs which are works of art, and countless wines and desserts.
    We are in America now so have to experience French cuisine vicariously. Your book would help ease the longing and we can try all your wonderful recipies.

    shelsmith66@gmail.com

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  10. Being an AlpillesGal, I love ALL things Provencal, especially Bouillabaise. As of today, we are only 276 days away from the first day of our annual month-long stay in the heart of the Alpilles. Would love to win a copy of the book.

    ermcwold@aol.com

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  11. France, Food and Wine . . . What's not to like? I would add one thing that keeps drawing me back to France (Provence in particular) . . . the pace of life. I just feel better being there (and am lucky enough to get there twice a year and hang out with good friends like Julie). Thanks for sharing this great resource.

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  12. i'll never forget my first bouillabaise at Chez Fonfon,
    a true taste of Cote d'Azure.

    cigalechanta@hotmail.com

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  13. The book sounds amazing! I'm a bouillabaisse fanatic who has never been able to replicate it at home. Never!

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  14. My interest in France is growing all the time, all these wonderful websites about food and France, I would love to have a great cookbook to go with it. Good luck everyone!


    jolane@wildrosenet.ca

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  15. I was delighted to learn of Provence Post via the email from Paris to Provence -- always eager to add to my knowledge of France. Some day (soon, I hope) I will get back. Meanwhile, I am adding your site to my bookmarks -- and subscribing!

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  16. We are planning a trip to Provence for spring 2012... reading everything I can until then.... LOVE France!

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  17. I can't wait to read your book, almost as much as I can't wait to get back to my favorite place in the world! I'm an artist and go there to paint, but always manage to find plenty of time to discover some jewel of a restaurant, or some new winery. Ok, my mouth's watering!
    Merci et Joyeux Nöel!
    Robin
    bonjour275@aol.com

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  18. Thanks for posting this, Julie. What a wonderful sounding book!

    With an Italian father, French mother and a love of cooking (and food), I must admit that I've always been partial to Italian cuisine. But, it's definitely time to step outside the box. And, with 5 kids of my own, I'd have no shortage of mouths to try the recipe's out on!

    tcpalermo@yahoo.ca

    Thanks again for the contest!

    T.

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  19. Hi Julie, Ah... Thanks, I wasn't sure if it was a real book or download nor how it works...

    I find the title of the book fun-ny: "...in just 37 easy steps". 37?!? well, not - at least as of yet - knowing much about how to make bouillabaise, 37 steps sounds like a lot...? however, if I do win the book I will enjoy discovering ...

    My email address is:

    debdebnyc36@yahoo.com

    I prefer receiving emails at the above email address and not at my gmail address...

    Thanks.

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  20. I love France, I love Provence, the art, the architecture, the landscapes, the light...and yes the food. What many of you guys are doing, I can only dream. Please let it be me!

    vicki2201 at mac dot com

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  21. A culinary tour of France has long been on my bucket list with plenty of time in Provence to be sure! Pure bliss!

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  22. Pick me please!
    steph@lesfragnes.com

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  23. This would be a great Christmas present to MYSELF!

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  24. I've just moved to France after wanting to live here all my life. I keep collecting all sorts of books related to French food/culture. This one sounds interesting.

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  25. Love to be counted in. Thank you for sharing.

    mystica123athotmaildotcom

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  26. I have tried several recipes for bouillabaisse, but it never quite measures up to the ones we had in Provence. I would love to try their recipe.
    Geraldine Ventura
    gerrybonj@AOL.com

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  27. A mere 57 steps to bouillabaisse? Sign me up immediately! If I can't be in France, at least I can eat as if I am.

    demorest@umbc.edu

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  28. Hi Julie! I'll take a chance - always trying to perfect my French cooking skills!
    debra
    debrapaper@gmail.com

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