Fishwives of Paris

Flipping the table on French food mythology and serving the real stories behind your favorite cuisine, with culinary journalist Emily Monaco and wine expert Caroline Fazeli.

Want to watch us in 4k? Head over to https://youtube.com/@fishwivesofparis

Latest Episodes:

Baguette: Is France's Most Famous Bread Actually French? Sep 16, 2025

Show notes

The baguette is one of the most recognizable symbols of France, but its origins are far more complicated than most people realize.

Emily Monaco and Caroline Fazeli explore the myths surrounding the baguette, from Napoleon and Metro construction workers to labor laws and industrial baking. They uncover the Austrian influences, technological innovations, and historical events that shaped modern French bread.

They also explain why the baguette tradition was only created in 1993 and how France transformed an industrial bread into a national symbol.

Podcast Show Notes

Introduction to Fishwives of Paris
Why the baguette is a surprisingly recent invention
The Napoleon myth
The Paris Metro myth
The labor law myth
Austrian baker August Zang and Viennese influence
Industrialization and fantasy breads
Bread during the World Wars
The invention of the baguette tradition
The 1993 French Bread Decree
How France judges baguettes today
French bread etiquette
Why baguette consumption is declining
UNESCO protection and the future of the baguette

Key Takeaways

The baguette emerged during the 19th century, not the Middle Ages.
Napoleon did not invent the baguette.
The Paris Metro knife-fight story is a myth.
Austrian baking techniques played a major role in baguette development.
White bread was originally a luxury product.
Wartime rationing dramatically changed French bread production.
The baguette tradition was created in 1993.
French bread culture continues to evolve.

Introducing The Fishwives of Paris Jun 25, 2025

Show notes

The Real Fishwives of Paris is the French food and wine podcast that flips the table on tradition. Hosted by Lyon-based sommelier Caroline Fazeli and Parisian food journalist Emily Monaco, we bust myths, explore culinary history, and tell the untold stories of French cuisine and wine culture.

Launches September 15th!

Learn about French food traditions, wine education, Paris food culture, Lyon gastronomy, and the real stories behind baguettes, Bordeaux, and beyond.

Whether you’re a Francophile, foodie, wine lover, or just obsessed with France, this is your go-to podcast for bold storytelling and delicious controversy.

Subscribe for behind-the-scenes looks at French food, interviews with chefs and sommeliers, French wine deep-dives, and culinary myths debunked — all with a dash of humor and a whole lot of heart.

Watch full episodes in 4k on Youtube

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Fishwives of Paris

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