La Bonne Étape, the first cookbook of one of France’s favorite (and best) chefs, is sunshine and flavour in printed form.

Two things have distinguished the Gleize family for generations: their grace as hosts and their culinary excellence, as witnessed in La Bonne Étape, the stately hotel-restaurant which has earned its Michelin star 52 years ago under then-owners Pierre and Arlette Gleize and has achieved the rare accomplishment of never losing it since.

Now their son Jany Gleize who took over the family property in the 1980s has also proven his talents as an author. His beautiful cookbook which bears the same name as the family property, is a celebration … a generous sharing of all that is dear to him: the rich cuisine of the sundrenched Provençal countryside, the heady scent of herbs, the vivid colours of the South, and a lifetime’s worth of memories dedicated to hospitality.

La Bonne Étape – the elegant yet comfortable countryside manor in Château-Arnoux-Saint-Auban situated in the picturesque Upper Provence between Manosque and Sisteron, is his family home, from which he lives and works. And it is here that he wrote his book, 50 richly illustrated recipes reflective of his passion and his love for his roots, sprinkled with a good dose of family stories and local lore. A book overflowing with the bounty of nature and Chef Jany’s warm and generous spirit, and packed with photography so inviting that the dishes seem to jump from the page straight onto your plate. But never mind his Michelin star, Jany Gleize’s recipes are easy to follow, uncomplicated and unpretentious, and he emphasizes, with typical humility, that they are just suggestions which you can improve on as you see fit.

Meet Chef Jany, peek over his shoulder as he gives a culinary demo, and above all, secure a copy of La Bonne Étape at one of these upcoming events across the South of France:

Friday, 3rd June at 15h30, Salon Côté Sud
Culinary demo and book signing session
Parc Jourdan, 13100 Aix en Provence

Saturday, 4th June at 9h00, Villa des Chefs
Cooking class (sold out) and book signing
1225 chemin de la Blaque 13090 Aix en Provence (or 13080 Luynes on GPS)

Saturday, 11th June at 11h00, Librairies de Provence
Book signing around a culinary theme
31, Cours Mirabeau, 13100 Aix en Provence

Friday, 17th June from 18h00 – 19h30, Château La Coste
Book Signing around the theme of pairing wine and appetizers
2750, Route de la Cride, Puy Sainte Réparade

All images courtesy Jany Gleize