allison

The A to Z of French Food & Culture

Gastronomy Guide & Culinary Educator

who is allison
allison plate

Who is Allison?

Bonjour! I’m Allison, and I’m an educator working in French food, culture, and history. If you’re a gastro-curious traveler or learner, I’m here to show you the A to Z of French food and culture!

I’m a born storyteller and highly passionate about sharing my deep cultural knowledge. My 30 years in France have led me on countless culinary and cultural explorations, and I’ve created engaging educational experiences for over 5000 clients. Click below to discover how we can share our common passion for French food and culture!

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Discover My Tours

all my tours
allison tours

6 Hours

The Rungis Experience

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allison tours

3 hours

Food Tours

The Belly of Paris Tour

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allison tours

3 hours

Food Tours

Parisian Market Tour

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allison tours

Variable

Food Talks

Food Talks

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allison tours

3 Hours

History Tours

Belleville Tour

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allison tours

Variable

Food Tours

Specialized Tours

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allison tours

3 hours

Food Tours , History Tours

Beauty of the Bouillon Tour

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allison

Allison Zinder's Paris on the Edge

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A culinary newsletter from the edge of Paris with insider tips on French cooking & eating, quirky stories, and an attempt to wrestle meaning out of - or into - the domestic chaos of life as a mother of twins. Living/bicycling in Paris since 1995.

Testimonies

Allison made everyone feel welcome

I just got back from a 10-day trip to France with eleven high school students. As one of our activities, five of us booked a cooking class with Allison. C’était magnifique!!

Upon request, she presented the class in French, but was happy to share fun stories in English. All the students had a great time! She made everyone feel welcome and included each of them in the experience. The menu was planned with teens’ tastes in mind, yet sophisticated and new. I will definitely recommend Allison to my friends back home and hope to bring another group on my next trip.

– Pam, High School French Teacher

Belleville walk

This walk was one of the best Parisian experiences of my stay here this summer. Allison is a knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide. I learned a lot and saw a part of Paris I never would have seen otherwise.

– Kimberly

Fun thing to do in Paris

My husband and I took Allison’s walking tour of Belleville and Ménilmontant. For 2 or 3 hours we strolled, learned about the history of the area, talked about French culture, and appreciated sights & street art that we would otherwise not have noticed. We then shared a wonderful lunch. Allison is knowledgeable, personable, and just plain fun! We greatly enjoyed our time with her and look forward to spending more time with her on our next visit to Paris.

– Suzannah

Best way to learn about French Markets!

We met Allison on our second day in Paris and the experience was fabulous! Allison has a great knowledge of the markets and their history. We have teenage daughters and Allison made sure they were included in every part of our tour. She was attentive and supportive to encourage us to try new foods, with a respect to items we were not interested in. Allison has well-developed relationships with market vendors and all were friendly and welcoming. If you’re thinking of a market tour, Allison is the Chef and expert to be your guide. This tour is top of the list of best experiences ever!

– Christine

Stories & recipes

Mumbai Mule

Looking for an original and tasty holiday cocktail recipe? The Mumbai Mule is a delicious variation on the Moscow Mule, made with chai syrup and pumpkin purée!

Salt Cod and Potato Gratin

If you’ve never used salt cod in recipes, you’re missing out! My recipe for Salt Cod and Potato Gratin or Brandade Parmentière is a favorite in Paris. Find out what makes it so Parisian by reading here!

Quince Crumble

In France, the ambrosial quince is usually transformed into jelly or fruit paste. And in the French countryside, quinces are there for the taking. Or are they?

Dark and Stormy

Spice up your late winter evening with this story about my visit to Her Majesty’s Yacht and a recipe for Dark and Stormy, the Royal Navy’s favorite tipple.

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