A Taste of France in the Year 10 French Classroom!

A Taste of France in the Year 10 French Classroom! 

As part of our Year 10 French unit on Cuisine et alimentation en France, students recently had the opportunity to experience a little taste of France right here in the classroom! Throughout the unit, students have been exploring French food and culture, and as part of their Inquiry Project, they researched the traditions, production and cultural significance of French wines and cheeses.

To bring their learning to life, Prof Dell’Anna organised a French cheese tasting day and purchased a selection of different French cheeses for the class to sample. First, we ensured there were no allergies on the way! Students tasted each cheese and compared it with a similar Australian cheese, considering the differences in flavour, texture, aroma and appearance. They were encouraged to share their observations and discuss their personal preferences, while making connections between their research and the foods they were experiencing.

The tasting also included a very traditional French favourite: truffles and chicken liver pâté! This certainly divided the room. Some students absolutely loved it and were happy to go back for more, while others responded with some wonderfully expressive, rather disgusted faces! It made for plenty of laughs and lively discussion as students discovered that French cuisine, just like any cuisine, can be a matter of personal taste.

Overall, this hands-on experience was a fun and memorable way for students to deepen their cultural understanding and see how food can provide an insight into the traditions and everyday life of a country. It was certainly a delicious way to put their French learning into practice, and a wonderful opportunity to say bon appétit! 

Katia Dell’Anna

French Teacher