Lulu's Provençal Table

Nina Caplan

Wine and food writer

I have seen the legendary kitchen of the title; I went to interview Lulu, who was 99 at the time (she is now 100, and still going strong as of this writing) and no longer cooks much. But when she did, my goodness: the rabbits and chickens sizzled on the open fireplace and the table was arrayed with spreads and crusts and dips and grilled sardines, all of it fresh that morning from the market, the roadside stalls, the port or Lulu’s own garden. The lucky guests sat at a long table topped with white cloth, to better display the beautiful colours of the wine: Domaine Tempier, which Lulu and her late husband Lucien crafted into a legend, nourishing the reputation of their region, Bandol, along with the vines they planted. Olney was a friend and frequent guest, and the happy combination of his art and hers, plus their mutual affection, makes for a near-perfect cookbook.

Annie Bell

Food writer

I love all of Olney's cookbooks but this in particular, that I feel is particularly close to his heart. It captures the life and culture of the area of France of which he was so fond and attached, through the kitchen of the remarkable Lulu and her family. This is Provencal cookery at its greatest and most genuine

MM Pack

Food writer

Nick Lander

Food writer and restaurant consultant

Nikki Werner

Food writer

Joanne Weir

Chef, cookbook author and television personality

Debbie Major

Food writer and food stylist

Claire Ptak

Chef-owner, Violet Cakes

Cathy Strange

Whole Foods Market Global Cheese Buyer

Anne Dolamore

Publisher, Grub Street

Julee Rosso

Cook and food writer

Aglaia Kremezi

Food writer and journalist