Is your Dad a proper foodie, always cooking, eating or drinking his way through the best products we can put his hand on? With Father’s Day just around the corner on June 20th, here are a few French-inspired gifts that should make him jump for joy - you’ll thank us later
Opinel: the king of folding knives
The iconic Opinel pocket knife has been produced in Savoie in the French Alps since 1890, and this is not about to change. With its wooden handle, it’s the everyday companion every dad should keep at hand, just in case a saucisson suddenly needs to be sliced, a cheese wheel needs to be shared, a knob of beurre salé needs to be spread on a fresh baguette and everything in between. It’s all about picnic vibes, anywhere, anytime.
Want to make it extra special and don’t mind waiting a few more days? Pick the custom option directly on the Opinel website, engraving his knife on the blade or on the handle.
© ©Dr Bouz
A trip to the French Epicerie & Wine Bar at Taste of London
The best of French food and drinks is in full swing at Taste of London until Sunday in Regent’s Park - the best reasons to spend the day with your Dad eating and drinking your way through everything on offer under that gorgeous glasshouse.
What’s to expect: the chicest French deli for all his cheese and charcuterie cravings, not one but two bars serving a wide range of French wines and summer cocktails, wine talks and laid-back DJ sets to soak up the evening vibes. See you there!
S68 stall - Taste of London
Wednesday 15 June 5.30-9.30pm
Thursday 16-Saturday 18 June 12-4pm and 5.30-9.30pm
Sunday 19 June 12-5pm
Marylebone Green
Chester Road (Off Inner Circle)
Regent’s Park, London NW1 4NR
london.tastefestivals.com
Tickets from £24
Make his own charcuterie workshop
For charcuterie lovers, there’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of making your own cured meats. Let your dad put an apron on and play traditional French charcutier for the day, with a dedicated full-day course at Town End Farmshop in the Yorkshire Dales (£200 per person).
In Dorset,The Real Cure at Hartgrove Farm, an easy 1h45 train-ride from London, has just the thing too: a day spent learning about curing, building a smoker and making all sorts of delicious meats to take home with the recipes (£180 per person).
© ©Getty Images
The Winalist
Is your dad a bit of a wine tripper? Then The Winalist is your go-to platform to book the ultimate wine experiences in Europe.
A cellar visit in Alsace? A blending workshop to make your own red wine in an urban cellar? A trip along UNESCO World Heritage Climats of Burgundy with a wine advisor? With more than 800 experiences available in France, it should be easy to find the right one for him. And if you’re note quite sure, the gift card comes in handy. It’s valid for two years, and you decide which amount you’d like to offer. Santé!
© ©Patrick Hutter
Contributor
Valentine Benoist
Editor
