1986: My Happy Life in Provence

Chapter 273 It’s all Louis XIV’s fault!
Ronan had been to the restaurant several times, and the waiter knew him and knew that he was a very good friend of the boss. Mr. Jacques had greeted them in advance, so Ronan and Zoe went straight into the restaurant without waiting for a table.

As soon as they came in, they were surprised again.

It is known that almost all the customers who came here today came for the King Cake, so this food should be available on every table.

But when they looked around, they didn't find any trace of the king cake they were familiar with. Instead, there was a kind of food they had never seen before, which was available on almost every table.

Not only does it have a unique shape, it also has purple and green embellishments on it.

Even the well-informed Zoe couldn't tell what it was.

"Isn't that a king's cake?" Ronan said in amazement.

Zoe kept looking around the tables and said in the same surprise:

"It's really very strange. I've never seen it anywhere else."

Ronan and Zoe had just poured the pink wine when Mr. Jacques appeared at their table, along with today's 'protagonist'.

"Serve the king cake first, and you guys take your time to look at the menu." Jacques sat down directly.

Ronan didn't bother to say hello. He looked at the strange thing and said in disbelief:

“Is it really a king’s cake?”

Ronan has been eating King Cake since he was a child, and this is the first time he has seen a King Cake of this shape.

You cannot ask others to help share the King's Cake because there is a small ceramic doll representing luck hidden inside. The one who eats it is the 'King'. You need to personally choose the piece you want to eat.

Jacques urged Ronan and Zoe to try it, and said with a smile:
“Yes, this is the King’s Cake.”

Ronan cut off a piece and looked carefully inside it, and found that it was basically the same as the traditional French king cake, except that it was a little thicker.

He first sniffed it, then took a bite:
“It’s really a king cake.”

I couldn’t recognize this king cake with my eyes, but I could recognize it with my mouth. It did have a familiar taste.

Zoe was very curious about this unique galette and asked Jacques:
“Is there any meaning behind making it like this?”

Jacques pushed up his glasses and explained to Ronan and Zoe:

"The King's Cake is not only eaten by the French, but also by the French-speaking regions (Belgium, Switzerland, Quebec, etc.), France's former colonies, and Spanish-speaking countries. The names and celebrations may be different, but the core is the same."

"A few years ago, when the restaurant decided to limit the King's Cake to the first month of each year, I went to these countries for a comprehensive survey, visited more than a dozen cities, combined the customs of Rio de Janeiro and Orleans, and designed this King's Cake. I didn't expect it to be so popular."

"It's indeed very popular." Ronan said envious as he looked at the room full of guests.

Jacques continued, pointing to the green and purple embellishments:
"Purple represents justice, and green represents faith. These were the symbolic colors determined by a community in Orleans last century."

Zoe took another small bite and commented:

“It’s very Brazilian and American indeed.”

Ronan continued to ask:
"After visiting so many cities, which two places have the most distinctive king cakes?"

Mr. Jacques smiled and shook his head:

"Each region has its own unique characteristics, and they are very different. I can't say which one is the best, but the reason for determining this design is——"

He drew out his tone, as if waiting for Ronan to fill in the second half of the sentence.

Ronan didn't say anything. Zoe next to him spoke first:

"French cuisine advocates the cultural gene of 'sensory is philosophy'. It is a triple symphony of visual, taste and spiritual experience. This design is in line with the aesthetics of the French."

The artists in the restaurant had discussed similar topics, and Zoe participated.

Jacques nodded with satisfaction:
"Yes, during the reign of Louis XIV, the banquets at Versailles required the plates to be like works of art, the silverware to be placed to the millimeter, the food to be shaped to match the decorations in the palace, and the desserts to imitate the fountain sculptures. In this way, adding some embellishments to the simple King's Cake is not a continuation of court etiquette?"

"Uh..." Ronan spat a small white porcelain figurine into his hand, "Wouldn't Louis XIV have asked for the figurine to be made in Baroque style?"

Zoe took a piece of paper and gave it to Ronan, saying jokingly:

"Louis XIV might say, you are a lucky boy."

Jacques smiled and pointed to the menu:
"Alright King and Queen, let's order."

Jacques did not leave Ronan and Zoe's table and stayed with them throughout the meal.

When we met again, the topic inevitably turned to Jerome's Stesgaard Winery.

"Ines is helping Jerome find a new owner. She still hopes someone can take over the winery." Jacques said with some concern, "But the hope is slim."

Ronan asked Jacques:
"How much will it cost Jerome?"

Jacques shook his head:

"Ines didn't mention it, but Jerome's winery has 20 hectares of vineyards. The land alone is worth more than 100 million francs. The winemaking equipment and wine cellars are worth at least hundreds of thousands, and there's also the value of the name 'Steisgat'."

Ronan shook his head as he heard this.

too expensive!
"If Ines can't find a seller, what is Jerome going to do with it?" Ronan continued to ask Jacques.

Jacques Bitter said:
"It's impossible to just throw away so many things. They could be disassembled and sold, or they could be sold to people who make other wines and transformed into red or white wine."

He continued:
"After New Year's Day, Ines is going to organize the next party. He probably wants everyone to think of ways to ask their friends if they are interested."

"Jerome is going to announce this news to everyone?" Ronan was stunned.

The last time they met, Jacques said that Jerome only greeted Ines secretly.

Jacques sighed:

"Ines forced Jerome to say this. We still have some time. Let's work together to think of a way to keep the winery. If Jerome sells it on his own, it will be difficult to keep the winery."

It's hard to find someone to take over even if we all work together, Ronan sighed.

Jacques tapped the table gently to attract Ronan's attention:

"Ines still hasn't given up on letting Astrid take over there. She will try her best at this gathering. If possible, you can help as well."

Ronan nodded and said seriously:
"I will try my best."

After Ronan and Zoe finished their meal and left Jacques' restaurant, they found that there were still people queuing at the door at around 2 pm.

"You really came here just to eat the King's Cake," Zoe said with a pout, "It's already past dinner time."

Ronan was not interested in desserts, so he asked Zoe, a native Provencal:

“Would someone really go to a restaurant just for dessert?”

“Of course.” Zoe said cheerfully, “People here love desserts.”

Ronan still didn't quite understand:
"But its essence has not changed, only its appearance has changed."

Zoe smiled and asked back:

"Have you forgotten the Roussillon restaurant we went to? Some customers go to a restaurant for the photo ops and the tableware. There will definitely be some who go to a restaurant for the looks and the desserts."

Ronan shook his head speechlessly:
"These are all bad habits passed down from Louis XIV."

Although he complained, Ronan was not idle after returning to Lourmarin.

He will carefully study anything that may help the restaurant.

He also wants people to line up in the restaurant for dessert!

It just so happened that Leah and Nicola were studying the menu for Christmas desserts these two days, and Ronan found them both as soon as he arrived at the restaurant.

"It's better to design the Christmas desserts uniquely this time."

Leah nodded and said:
"We changed all the thirteen desserts to look special."

In Provence, Christmas dinner must end with 'thirteen desserts'.

The thirteen desserts represent Jesus Christ and the twelve apostles, and the total number must be thirteen. And each dessert has its own special religious meaning:
Black and white nougat - symbolizes the opposition between good and evil.

Dates – represent the desert journey of the three wise men from the East.

Almonds - symbolize hope and abundance.

Grapes - a concentrated form of wine, symbolize the blood of Christ.

Apples and pears - a metaphor for the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden.

Orange - A luxurious gift brought by Nordic merchant ships.

Over time, this dessert with religious connotations began to be replaced by more exotic desserts, such as Apt's preserves, fruit pies, jellies and cookies.

In modern times, every family's 'Thirteen Desserts' are different, and the specific types vary depending on local or family traditions.

Ronan's restaurant will also continue the Provence tradition this time, setting up a long table on Christmas Day, covered with 13 special desserts.

But what Ronan meant by "characteristics" was not what Leah meant:
"I mean, the designs are more exquisite and gorgeous, the kind that customers can't take their eyes away from once they see it."

Nicola glanced at Leah, pointed at the test product on the table and said:

"This time we're going to make a Christmas log cake and some Christmas-shaped cookies. Do you think they're 'delicate' enough?"

To be honest, if Ronan hadn’t been to Mr. Jacques’s restaurant, he might have thought that this cookie was just okay.

But after seeing the King's Cake, Ronan felt that these cookies were too un-Louis XIV.

He touched his chin, smacked his lips twice, and then said to Leah:
"Just do whatever you need to do. Don't worry about me. I have nothing to do this afternoon. I'll do some research here."

Leah's eyes widened:

“Can you make desserts?”

Ronan cooks often, but he has never made dessert.

Not only him, Leah had never seen Luo Tianhai make desserts.

Ronan smiled and shrugged:

"No, but I can cook and draw. Maybe I can give it a try?"

Leah and Nicola left to go to work half-believingly, leaving Ronan alone to stare blankly at a pile of bread dough and biscuits.

Zoe hadn't been to the restaurant for a long time, and she returned to Lourmarin to join the artists.

Naturally, everyone's topic is about the "Land Art" project which will start in a month.

Marini drank a lot of wine again today, and the "autistic" mode has been turned off:
"I have made many works recently, but I am not very satisfied with any of them. I am a little confused. There are at least hundreds of people in Provence who can make the same sculptures as mine. So what is my advantage?"

Several other artists nodded along.

Among these artists in Lourmarin, only Zoe's combination of glass and ceramics can be considered relatively distinctive.

Putting aside the subject matter and the work itself, she already has a great advantage.

But what about everyone else?

I can draw, but others can’t?

I can do wood carving, but others can’t?
Paulette added:

"There is also a Batty, and what Batty makes is also very unique."

Vivian said with some envy:
"I'm quite optimistic about Batty. Weaving techniques are rare in Provence. Although it's a niche, it will be a very good opportunity to showcase his work. I saw some of his works, which are quite exquisite."

Vines, grasses, bamboos and other materials are in harmony with nature, and Batti has natural advantages.

Zoe and Batty are the two artists in Lourmarin who are recognized as having the best chance of shining at Gordes in February.

Zoe comforted everyone:

"It's not just the craftsmanship that's distinctive, it's the work itself. We've been working hard for a month, and no one should give up during these last few days."

Paulette continued to encourage everyone:
"Don't forget our goal. Let Provence know how great our Lourmarin artists are. We are a collective."

Malini suddenly looked at Zoe and asked:
"Ronan isn't going to attend?"

Ronan is also an artist and is good at weaving.

Zoe took a sip of pink wine and said:

"Ronan said that his weaving is good for making lamps and ornaments, but not enough for making handicrafts. Besides, he has to go into the mountains and take care of the restaurant, so he doesn't have that much energy."

Zoe embellished Ronan's words:
How much would that craft sell for? Do you know how much I could earn if I put the same energy into something else?

What kind of artist is Ronan? He is just a machine who only wants to make money.

Vivian looked around:
"Hey, speaking of Ronan, where is he? Didn't he come back with you this afternoon? How come he hasn't been seen for a few hours?"

Zoe also looked around. In fact, she had been looking for a long time. She didn't know where Ronan had gone, but she felt embarrassed to leave and look for him after not seeing these friends for a long time.

But now that Vivian has brought up the topic, Zoe can finally find her sweetheart in a reasonable way:
"I don't know. I'll go find him. You guys continue chatting."

Zoe entered the kitchen and saw a group of women whispering around a tray.

She leaned over to take a look and found a plate of uniquely shaped pine tree cookies:
"Who did this?"

Flossie was surprised and said:
"Leah said Ronan made it, but I don't believe it. When has Ronan ever made desserts?"

"Yes, I've only seen Ronan cooking." Flakini said while cutting vegetables, "And Leah also said that those 'ruined' pine trees were also made by Ronan. This is the biggest joke I've ever heard. Such beautiful cookies are failures?"

Zoe followed their line of sight and saw several other different styles of pine cookies.

Nicola pushed them aside and said firmly:
"I swear that was really Ronan who did it. Leah was with me all afternoon and she didn't do it."

Zoe frowned and asked:
"Where are my mom and Ronan?"

There is a small warehouse at the back door of the restaurant, where ingredients are usually temporarily stored.

There was a lot of dessert 'waste' here today.

Meanwhile, Ronan and Leah were having a heated discussion around a cookie shaped like a small house, as if they were doing an experiment.

"If you want to make this shape, I can make the cookie a little bigger. Aren't the current proportions a bit uncoordinated?"

"If I make this little house smaller without changing the size of the cookie base, will it look good?"

"That's too small. Are you going to use a microscope to 'frame' it?"

"It's okay, it's okay, no matter how small it is, I have very steady hands."

"Your hands are so steady, it's like you're painting on cookies."

Suddenly, a female voice came from above their heads:

"You're really not going to the Land Art exhibition?"

"Oh my goodness--"

"Scared me!"

Ronan and Leah were startled and found that the person coming was Zoe, so they continued to do the experiment with their heads down.

Ronan knew that Zoe was talking to him, so he replied:

"No, no, I'm not good enough at knitting."

Zoe looked down at Ronan drawing on the cookie that was not even half the size of his palm. After a few seconds of silence, she said:
"It's not knitting, it's using food. Who says food isn't art?"

(End of this chapter)