This Week We're Going to France!
Introducing Irvina Lew, author of Forays In France: A Flavorful Memoir.
Happy Thursday!
After a bit of a hiatus, I’m happy to bring back one of the more popular segments of the newsletter… Who I’d Rather Be Talking About. This is a segment where I introduce you to fascinating people I’ve met all around the world - they could be people I’ve met while traveling, people I’ve met online, or even… people I’ve met online while traveling, like this week’s guest.
Allow me to explain.
While I haven’t met this week’s guest, author Irvina Lew, in person, I like to say I “met” Irvina in Portugal and was introduced to her by my friend and podcaster Courtney McDonough. (Who you might have read about in a past issue of Who I’d Rather Be Talking About.)
The plot thickens… I didn’t actually “meet” Irvina in Portugal. As it turns out, I was running along the Tagus River in Lisbon this past September, and listening to Irvina’s appearance on the Real Food Traveler Podcast. Her story was fascinating, and the more she talked about her lifelong love of France, the more I thought, “OMG, Irvina is the French-loving version of me…”
Her affinity for all things French parallels mine for Spain. I literally stopped in my tracks to email Courtney and tell her, “I need to meet Irvina!”
And this week, I’m so happy to give you the chance to meet Irvina Lew.
Irvina is the author of Forays In France: A Flavorful Memoir and an absolute inspiration to anyone who loves travel, food, culture, or all of the above. I’m happy to share Irvina’s story with you all, and I’m sure you’ll find her as delightful as I do, and want to snatch up her book.
Without further ado, let’s meet Irvina.
First, can you tell us about your early childhood… where did you grow up, and when did your love for France and travel begin?
I grew up, was educated and taught French in the Long Island town where I still live. My aunt and uncle introduced me to travel at age 16 on a Caribbean cruise; Julie Franchi, my High School French teacher, motivated my affection for France.
You studied at the Sorbonne and taught French and Spanish for more than thirty years before becoming a full‑time freelance food and travel writer. How did your life as a language teacher shape your experience of France?
I spoke classroom French and was educated about history and culture; skills which enhanced travel opportunities to meet people, learn more about food and culture, experiences described throughout Forays in France.
You’ve written hundreds of features for outlets that include Bride’s, Conde Nast Traveler, Global Traveler, and authored and contributed to guidebooks, including Must SEES Los Angeles, by Michelin.
What drew you to this kind of travel and lifestyle writing? How did you get your start?
I devoted much of the 80s to writing my first book, You Can’t Do It All: Ideas that Work for Mothers who Work. I had difficulty finding an agent and learned that if I were published, I would be taken more seriously. So, I started writing about what I knew: restaurants, sailing and spas…that launched my travel writing career.
What finally nudged you from the classroom to the road?
A five‑year stint writing about restaurants and spas for New York Nightlife, plus book and media tours in thirty cities that followed publication of You Can’t Do It All, helped launch my second act as a freelance travel writer.
What did that period teach you about pleasure, place, and handling the pace of a traveling writer’s life?
It was because I understood the need to carefully balance my life as a wife, mom and teacher that I started writing a book for working moms; so, I delayed adding the role of travel writer until my youngest was in high school and her sisters were in college. I soon discovered that travel, reliving the experience while writing, and again while reading what I wrote, became my greatest pleasures.
You often focus on “the pleasures of place,” and your Instagram tag was “Sip, Sup, Stay, and Spa.” Plus, “See, Shop, and Sail” is on your personal shortlist of favorite activities.
How did that philosophy of travel develop, and how does it shape the stories you choose to tell?
For me, travel is not about accumulating numbers of countries, cities or tourist sights, it’s about savoring first-hand experiences, which is what I chose to feature in articles and in Forays in France.
Your stories center on where to stay, what to eat, how to unwind, and why it matters.
When you’re on assignment, what do you look for first—hotel, restaurant, spa, or view—and how do you know when a place is truly worth writing about?
I depend upon my own intuitive reaction at every price point; then, I put myself in the shoes of a person or couple who has saved diligently for the trip. I choose to feature only places that I think will please them and simply don’t mention others.
You’ve returned to France more times than you can count, and your culinary travelogue, Forays in France: A Flavorful Memoir, is a love letter to those journeys.
What keeps pulling you back, and when did you realize those memories needed to become a book?
I started writing Forays in France soon after my apartment rental on the Riviera was cancelled-due-to-Covid when I worried that I’d never get back to my favorite places. I thought so much about France that my memories became vignettes, and, in time, this book.
You’ve sailed with your late husband, had spa stays in Bangkok, and had a wide range of travel experiences around the world.
Is there one trip that best captures your belief that travel should elevate the senses and expand your perspective?
In 2001, my late husband Bob and I were on a riverboat cruise from Dijon to Lyon. During that five-day voyage, we spent mornings on foot exploring stops en route; on several occasions, at noon, taxis that I had arranged drove us to a Michelin-star restaurant for lunch. Those extraordinary meals opened my eyes and heart to the intrinsic, life-enhancing value of experiencing such a creative and elevated way of dining.
You’ve received awards from organizations like the Society of American Travel Writers and the Society of Professional Journalists: Long Island Press Club. You are active in communities such as ASJA and Long Island Authors, and you are an alumnus of Travel Classics.
How have recognition and professional community influenced your work and confidence as a freelancer?
I support the high standards and serious entry qualifications of these professional organizations and consider membership an important credential. Because writing is a solo activity, I also truly appreciate what each organization offers in terms of education as well as professional—and sometimes social—relationships.
You’re a Francophile who lives on Long Island, loves musical theater, gardening, and serving gougères, rotisserie chicken, and zucchini blossoms.
How does the way you host at home reflect the way you “host” readers on the page?
Many of my favorite French recipes appear in Forays in France, in a section called Chez Moi, or At Home. I have a little garden where I grow berries, fresh herbs and vegetables, including zucchini so I can stuff the blossoms. In season, I frequent farmer’s markets, shop at a local butcher who orders duck and foie gras from d’Artagnan, and order some products online, such as Dijon mustard (fallot.com) and pitted prunes from Agen (stdalfour.com). I use a Peugeot pepper meal and serve meals on blue and yellow Provençal tablecloths, place mats and napkins. It just makes me happy to surround myself with touches of France and many of my guests seem to enjoy it too.
Finally, what advice do you have for someone wanting to start their second act? Or get out of whatever act they’re in and take a risk?
I wouldn’t (and didn’t) risk quitting the job that paid my bills, but I would (and did) try to develop a favorite activity into a full-time endeavor. If you want to create a second act, I recommend taking time—years, if necessary—to find something that makes you happy and, if necessary, can support you financially.
Window or aisle seat? Aisle.
Checked bag or carry-on only? Go with carry-on, come home with checked.
First thing you do when you get to a hotel room: Charge computer & phone.
City you could return to every year and never tire of: Cannes
One place still on your “how have I not been there yet?” list: New Orleans
Favorite spa treatment when you really want to feel indulged: Massage, massage, and a longer massage.
Train, boat, or road trip—what’s your favorite way to see a place slowly? Rent an apartment and drive.
Museum you’d happily get lost in for an entire afternoon: Musee d’Orsay, Paris
Signature cocktail or wine order: Champagne
Book you recommend most often to people who love France: Julia Child, My Life in France
Favorite French comfort food you make at home: Coq au Vin, recipe in Forays
Podcast or YouTube channel for travel or inspiration: David Lebovitz Podcast
Travel luxury worth splurging on: A fine dining meal, often a Michelin-starred chef.
One thing you pack that always makes a rental apartment feel like home: a potato peeler. They never have good ones.
Best travel advice you’ve received: Stay awake after arrival until regular local bedtime.
Person (living or gone) you’d love to have a French lunch with: Alain Ducasse.
If you had 24 hours in Paris with no obligations, how would you spend them? Morning boat cruise on Seine, long leisurely lunch, Monet at l’Orangerie, late afternoon massage at hotel’s spa, a light dinner at Wine Bar, cabaret (Coco at L’Opera) or Jazz Club, morning shopping rue St Honore, lunch, Fondation Louis Vuitton. PS If money were not an issue, I’d hire a driver instead of UBER.
Favorite French word or phrase that always makes you smile: Bonne idée, (i.e, bun eeday), which one student translated as Easter (Bunny Day).
French region you think is most underrated and why: Gascony, perhaps, because it’s inland and rural, with lots of duck and plum farms and vineyards where the white grapes grow for Armagnac.
One very French habit or ritual you’ve happily adopted in your own life:
Apéro: early evening apéritif drinks with snacks; I do it on phone chats with friends.
That sounds like an absolutely lovely way to catch up with friends, Irivina! It’s been a pleasure hearing about your life, writing, and love of France!
If readers want to get in touch with you, where can they find you?
Contact: irvinalew@gmail.com foraysinfrance@gmail.com
Websites: foraysinfrance.com | irvinalew.com
Social Media: @foraysinfrance || @irvinalew3
Before we go, this week, leaving you with a few links… some of them in keeping with our French theme.
A Few Links…
Too tired to cook? Try these easy healthy recipes.
Looking to eat like the French? Watch this, check out one French family’s typical meals, or make your own with five French meal ideas.
Start your day with a morning walk for these benefits.
Listen to this episode of The Skinny Confidential to get better in touch with your finances and think like a rich person.
If you’re traveling with someone (significant other, pal, etc.) consider
