Over thirty French bakeries from the Vendée region show off their skills in a galette des rois (Kings' cake) contest. The lucky judges, whose onerous task is to taste those delicious galettes, go to great lengths to explain their choices and make our mouths water. The galette des rois is traditionally served at Epiphany and is notoriously difficult to make. It comes in two varieties, flaky or brioche, and is available at French bakeries throughout the month of January.

"Maître Restaurateur" (Master Restaurant Owner) is a title bestowed upon a select number of restaurants in France. What does it mean and how does a restaurant achieve this honor? Find out in this episode of "Grain de Sel" (Grain of Salt).

Losing weight is one of the most common New Year's resolutions, probably due in part to the richness of holiday feasts. As you'll see in this video, a lot of French people switch to a diet of fresh fruit, vegetables, and soups as they get ready for the new year or recover from holiday indulgences. Clementines are an especially popular and low calorie wintertime snack.

Joanna will show you around a lovely little boutique called La Torréfaction du Faubourg (Faubourg Coffee Roasting House). The owner is proud to say that she roasts her own coffee—to perfection, no doubt. You'll have to use your imagination to experience the boutique's lovely aromas!

More and more restaurants are resorting to frozen food instead of preparing dishes from scratch. The Micro-trottoir team took to the streets to ask people whether restaurants that don't cook their own food can still be called restaurants. Many people are concerned about not knowing where the food is coming from and would prefer to enjoy local produce, while others say that the quality of the frozen food source as well as the chef's expertise are the key. Let your discerning palate be the judge!

It is common knowledge that French people love their wine, but did you know that France is only the second largest wine consumer in the world, just behind China? As you will see in the video, winegrowers from the Savoie region put a lot of love and passion into winemaking. It's very often a family affair passed on from generation to generation. Long may it continue... and remember—enjoy your wine in moderation!

In this video, Lucette teaches us how to make some delicious, homemade apricot jam. She also skillfully recites an apricot-related tongue-twister!

For New Year's Eve, come join the mountain people of the Savoie region at the O’Communailles restaurant where good local food is being served with a twist in a convivial atmosphere. Then watch the happy locals dance the night away.

Despite the cold weather, people are flocking to the opening of the Colmar Christmas market in Alsace. In this video, tourists talk shopping and vendors explain why they like to work at the Christmas market.

What is the French traditional holiday fare? You'd be surprised... While the classic turkey with chestnut stuffing is still on the menu, some people are getting off the beaten track, pairing classic dishes with ethnic food. Foie gras samosas, anyone? Or how about imitation caviar truffles?

A menu for 8 euros... in a Zen decor! Not only has Joan Schmitt turned an old Alsatian bistro into a chic restaurant with a modern, minimalist style, but he also cooks for his clientele with local and worldwide produce, which he describes here with great gusto.

Hop aboard the Trolley des Lumières bus restaurant and dine in style while sightseeing through the city of Lyon. An unforgettable dining experience!

Nicolas introduces some specialties of the Alsace region at the Alexandre Dumas Catering, Hospitality, and Tourism College. In this episode, pastry chefs bake some delicious cookies called "mannele" and "bredele." It's never too early to start planning your next New Year's fête!

Christophe Bertrand, manager of Bellevue Chocolates, shares some of his chocolate-making secrets, from ganaches to mouth-watering pralines.

Michel Le Leannec, a pastry chef from Meudon, won fourth place in the 2011 contest for best macaroon in the Île-de-France region of France. French macaroons (les macarons) come in many flavors, colors, and sizes, but in this video Michel will teach us his award-winning recipe for Italian meringue macarons filled with salted butter caramel custard. Don't miss this mouth-watering video!