Paola Westbeek for culture: the word on cheese
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Paola Westbeek is a journalist who focuses on French food, wine, and travel. Her work has led her to every delicious corner of the French hexagon, and she is a regular contributor to FRANCE Magazine and culinary columnist for French publications En Route and French Property News.

Wheys Less Traveled: Jærosten And The Great Norwegian Cheese Reawakening


Norway’s recent cheesemaking renaissance started with Jærosten, a raw milk, Alpine-style cheese.

A New Wave of Dutch Cheesemakers Branches Out Beyond Gouda


In the Netherlands new generation of cheesemakers has been looking abroad and making it clear that there’s more to Dutch cheese than edam and gouda.

The Dordogne: Cheese, Wine, and Art de Vivre


In the bucolic Dordogne region of southwestern France, appreciating what’s on your plate or in your glass is elevated to an art form. And it all starts in the hands of dedicated producers.

The Winding Road to Gold at Mondial Du Fromage


World’s Best Cheesemonger Virginie Dubois-Dhorne traded academia for affinage Photographed by Hans Westbeek Dedicating her life to curds was the last thing Virginie Dubois-Dhorne had in mind when her husband asked her to help out at his cheese shop. In fact, when she married Jean-François—a political science graduate turned cheesemonger and affineur—she was in the […]

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For a Taste of French Life, Savor the Apéro


Short for apéritif, which refers to the actual drink, the apéro is the ultimate way to escape the daily hustle and bustle and shift into relaxation mode.

Cake-Salé-with-Goat-Cheese-Zucchini-and-Green-Olives

Cake Salé with Goat Cheese, Zucchini, and Green Olives


Cake salés are delicious cubed as part of an apéro, but you can also serve a slice for lunch with soup or a green salad dressed with a mustardy vinaigrette.

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Gougères


Gougères are made with a classic French pâte à choux. Any hard cheese such as Gruyère, Emmentaler, Gouda, or cheddar will work well here.

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