France is renowned worldwide for the richness and diversity of its gastronomy.
The gastronomic meal of the French is one of the first culinary traditions recorded on the representative list of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
However, culinary creation is not inscribed in any code, and traditional cuisine is not protected. When it comes to culinary creation, a legal void persists.
“The current law does not allow, as it stands, for real protection of our local and traditional recipes,” says Marine Brenier, a deputy from Alpes-Maritimes, who has just submitted a bill to include in the heritage code the creation of a new institution: the “Foundation for French Gastronomy,” whose mission is to catalog traditional recipes, protect them, and identify restaurateurs who adhere to ancestral recipes. Additionally, there should be a National Institute of Certified Culinary Creation, establishing the organization, skills, and legal procedures for the protection of culinary creations.
Marine Brenier does not hide her enthusiasm for this cause: “Niçoise salad, Paris-Brest, cassoulet, beef bourguignon… France is rich in its gastronomy and loved by all around the world! Unfortunately, this wealth faces many imitations. What a shock to find beans or potatoes in a Niçoise salad!”
“All of this for one sole purpose: to restore the image of our culinary cultures,” says the young deputy, who hopes for cross-party support from her colleagues to see her initiative through.
Indeed, in this case, ideologies and power struggles should remain off the table, although one might declare that beans are right-wing and potatoes are left-wing!
