January 6th (2019) is fast approaching! And that means a goodly number of French will be celebrating the Epiphany. As just a reminder, Why Christmas’s website states: “Epiphany is the time when Christians remember the Wise Men (also sometimes called the Three Kings who visited Jesus).  Epiphany is mainly celebrated by Catholics and Orthodox Christians.”

According to Wikipedia: “Popular Epiphany customs include Epiphany singing, chalking the door, having one’s house blessed, consuming Three Kings Cake, winter swimming, as well as attending church services.”

The French embrace the King Cake. Pictured here is one style of the King Cake (Three Kings Cake) or Galette des Rois in French. Puff pastry, almond paste center, ‘garnished’ with a crown and a hidden trinket, a féve.  And in this larger photo below is another example of this beloved treat: brioche with the sticky candied fruit on top and, again, displayed ‘all crowned up’. I ferreted out two recipes by well-known American chefs. Dorie Greenspan splits her time living in three different locations, once of which is Paris. And, David Lebovitz is a full time Paris resident.

Their websites, should you choose to open the links to them, speak a bit more about this French tradition, explaining the importance of the crown, as well as the féve found inside. Féves are coveted, and you will see a few of Dorie’s Pierre Herme collection. Did I supply you with enough intrigue to read more about this Epiphany related practice?

https://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2008/01/baking-with-dorie-galette-des-rois-recipe.html

https://www.davidlebovitz.com/galette-des-rois-kings-cake-recipe/

Know that: (1) Most boulangeries will continue to sell the Galette des Rois throughout the month of January. (2) The various boulangers put their own twist on this specialty so you may well be tempted to try more than one!

Here are just a few recommended boulangeries:

(1) Pierre Herme’s website, including all of his locations worldwide: https://www.pierreherme.com

(2) Eric Kayser website, including a mention of his 69 shops around the world, and locations listed for his 16 shops in Paris: http://www.chocoparis.com/eric-kayser/

(3) And, here is Paris by Mouth’s list of bakeries and pastry shops in Paris: https://parisbymouth.com/paris-bakeries/

On to the New Year and one of the best round-ups of suggestions that speaks to me for the years to come: