A matter of taste

American Jessica Hammer talks to Lucy Parford about running food tours to help people discover Toulouse’s rich culinary heritage and produce

- Lucy Parford

Often the best way to get to know a new city is through its food, exploring its fascinating culinary roots and vibrant market and restaurant scene.

Knowing just where to start can be daunting however, especially if you have just arrived from another country, do not speak the language very well and have no idea where the best districts are or who sells the most tempting regional products.

Jessica Hammer arrived in Toulouse, in Occitanie, south-west France, from America in 2017 with her husband, Peter, who is a dancer, choreographer and jazz and tap dance teacher. He acquired an artistic visa to come to France and had professional contacts in the city, which is why they chose to settle in La Ville Rose.

“This is our first time living long-term outside the United States,” Jessica says. “It’s something we’ve wanted to do since we got married.

“Several years ago, when we lived in Chicago, we were both at the point in our careers when we thought maybe now is the time to start thinking about it.”

The couple, who are both 35 and have been married for 13 years, had always been interested in France.

On a trip to Paris a few years ago they learnt all about French wine and cheese which piqued Jessica’s interest.

“I had been pursuing it as an interest in my free time, going to a lot of wine tastings and having friends over for cheese dinners and reading all about it,” she says.

“I decided to get a job in a cheese and wine shop and spent a year there, working behind the counter, selling wine and cheese. About half of the cheeses they sold were imported and half of those were French cheeses.”