Bonjour! I’m Camille Fournier, and I’m 42 years old. I was born and raised in Lyon, the heartland of French gastronomy, where the scent of freshly baked baguettes and simmering sauces has always felt like home. These days, I live in the charming town of Asheville, North Carolina, surrounded by mountains, farmers’ markets, and a growing community of food lovers that remind me of my roots.
My story begins in my grandmother’s tiny kitchen, tucked behind her boulangerie. As a little girl, I would perch on a wooden stool, flour on my nose, watching her hands dance as she folded buttery pastry into croissants or stirred her famous coq au vin. She never measured anything, always saying, “Tu dois cuisiner avec ton coeur”—you must cook with your heart. That phrase still guides me every day.
I trained at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris in my twenties, but my true education came from cooking alongside the women in my family. Their resilience, their warmth, and their joy in feeding others taught me that food is not just about technique—it’s about connection. When I moved to the U.S. a decade ago, I brought more than recipes with me; I brought that spirit of connection. I wanted to create a bridge between the elegance of French cuisine and the soul of American hospitality.
My kitchen is a space where traditions meet creativity. I adore classic French dishes, but I also love infusing them with Southern ingredients. Imagine ratatouille with Carolina gold rice or tarte Tatin made with mountain apples from a neighbor’s orchard. I believe in embracing local produce and letting the seasons inspire the plate.
Cooking isn’t always glamorous. I’ve burned more tarts than I care to admit and once nearly set a duck confit aflame during a holiday dinner (don’t worry, the wine kept everyone cheerful!). But every mishap has taught me something, and honestly, those are the stories that linger longest around the table.
Today, I teach cooking classes for women looking to deepen their kitchen confidence. Whether they’re learning to master a perfect soufflé or just want to make a weeknight dinner feel special, I love helping them discover the joy of cooking without fear. My motto? If you can laugh in the kitchen, you can learn in the kitchen.
So if you ever find yourself in Asheville and catch a whiff of lavender and garlic drifting down the street, it might just be me, welcoming you to my table. Come hungry—there’s always a place for you here.