Greek-Australian author and food teacher Meni Valle has been honoured in France’s ‘prix Eugénie Brazier’ a literary award recognising contributions to culinary heritage by female authors.
Awarded by ‘The friends of Brazier’ an association formed 40 years after the eponymous chef’s passing, who was affectionately referred to by the gastronomic community of France as ‘the mother’; she was the first chef in history to have earned six Michelin stars.
Valle’s cookbook ‘Ikaria’ received the ‘prize of Francophonie and elsewhere’ at the deliberations held of course over a meal at ‘La Mère Brazier”, established by the mother of French cuisine herself in 1921.
The evening was described by French journalist Audrey Grosclaude as one of:
“Beautiful books with sacred morsels, slices of life, stories of exile, family recipes, stories from abroad, inspiration for the days of our lives; gourmet postcards and dishes marked by the taste of memory.”
Valle is an accomplished author, having now published four cookbooks: My Greek Kitchen’ (2011), ‘My Mediterranean Kitchen’ (2012), ‘Everyday Mediterranean’ (2015) and of course Ikaria which released in 2020.
These accomplishments have seen her rise to the top, viewed as one of Australia’s most respected authorities on Mediterranean cuisine.
‘Ikaria’ is titled for the island of the same name, situated in the Aegean 20 kilometres west of Samos. It derives its name from Icarus, the son of Daedalus in Greek myth, who is said to have fallen into the sea nearby.
Photos: Meni Valle/Facebook
Photos: Meni Valle/Facebook
Photos: Meni Valle/Facebook