“A mouthwatering, erudite journey through France’s foodie heritage, some of which might be lost forever without the likes of Baxter recalling and showcasing them for today’s diner.” — France Today

“Full of humor, insight, and mouth-watering details, The Perfect Meal is a delightful tour of ‘traditional’ French culture and cuisine.” — Travel and Leisure

"As Mr. Baxter explores in his book, The Perfect Meal: In Search of the Lost Tastes of France, great French dishes still exist in their original form, most notably at the place of their birth." — Ann Mah, New York Times

“On a quest to find the soul of traditional French cuisine, John Baxter journeys from Paris to Provence. Along the way, he digs into bowls of bouillabaisse, confiture de vieux garcon and other classics.” — AAA World Magazine

“We are the beneficiaries of John Baxter’s considerable, vivid love for the expatriate life in Paris.” — Los Angeles Times

“Reading [John Baxter] is the next best thing to a Paris vacation.” — Boston Globe

“Baxter’s command of French history and culture offers the reader a cornucopia of anecdote and detail worth savoring.” — Booklist

“The most valuable (and equally endangered) tradition restored by Baxter is the oral one. Local characters, friends, chefs, and enthusiasts enliven his quest and reveal each element in the evolution of the menu to be part of a collective cognitive lineage. A must read for foodies, Francophiles, and armchair travelers.” — Library Journal

“Delightful. ... This is one of those delicious books that tickles the psyche, seduces the senses, and effortlessly enlarges the intellect simultaneously.” — Publishers Weekly

“A wonderful mix of travel memoir and French culinary history.” — Shelf Awareness

Winner - Culinary Travel — IACP COOKBOOK AWARDS