Fishwives of Paris
(Le Podcast)
French Food, Unfiltered
We bust the myths behind French food, wine, and culinary tradition, and explain how history, power, marketing, and culture really shaped what’s on your plate.
French Food, Without the Fairy Tales
Flipping the table on French food myths and serving the real stories behind what’s on your plate.
Fishwives of Paris is a bi-weekly podcast that unpacks the history, power dynamics, and marketing schemes behind iconic French dishes and culinary traditions. We don’t just sh*t-talk; as two F&B professionals with decades of experience between us, we know our sh*t. From fake “peasant food” to misunderstood regional cuisine, we explain how French food culture actually works, and why the myths are so persistent.
What we talk about:
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The real origins of famous French dishes
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How food marketing shapes “tradition.”
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Regional identity, power, and culinary politics
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What tourists get wrong about eating in France
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Why French food rules exist at all
- Of course, plenty of sh*t talking
Meet the Fishwives of Paris
Caroline is a Somm
Caroline is a wine professional living in France who has made it her personal mission to ruin your romantic notions of French food, gently, with facts. Equal parts hospitality nerd and cultural translator, she’s here to explain how French cuisine actually works, who benefits from the myths, and why your favorite “peasant dish” is probably a marketing scheme. She is the founder of Lyon Wine Tastings and is a Cordon Bleu- educated cook.
Emily is a Food Expert
Emily Monaco is a Paris-based culinary journalist and professor with over 15 years of experience writing about French food and culture for outlets including the BBC, Saveur, and The Infatuation. She specializes in unpacking the stories, people, and power structures behind France’s most iconic dishes, with a particular soft spot for cheese.
Check Out the Latest Podcast Episode
Each episode of Fishwives of Paris examines a culinary myth, legend, or trope
to reveal the truth behind France’s favorite dishes, products, and culinary personalities.
Get the Fishwives Guide to Paris
Skip the tourist traps. The Fishwives Guide to Paris curates the city’s best food and drink through the lens of someone who actually lives here. Built from nearly two decades of eating across Paris, this guide focuses on places that hold up over time, not whatever spot is trending on TikTok this week.
80 vetted spots across 16 categories, chosen to be genuinely good, not just “Tiktok famous.”
Insider Knowledge
Forget flyover influencer lists. Emily has been living in Paris since 2007, and this guide reflects the places locals return to, not the ones tourists queue for. These are the restaurants, bars, bakeries, and wine spots that have proven themselves over time.
All Price Points
Whether you want to splurge on a great meal or grab something excellent on the go, this guide covers it. From everyday favorites to special-occasion spots, you will find reliable picks at every budget level.
It's Not Just Restaurants
This is a guide to how people actually eat in Paris. Alongside restaurants, you will find cocktail bars, wine bars, picnic spots, bakeries, and places to grab something quick between museums. It is designed to help you eat well all day, not just at dinner.
