You are so French! Success stories à la française

Welcome to a new episode of You Are So French! I’m excited to share my conversation with Ania Benhamadouche, Director of Sydney marketing agency Bistrot Media. From working in Parisian luxury with renowned brands like Louis Vuitton and Chanel to making her mark in Sydney's hospitality scene, Ania has built a career that spans continents and industries. Starting with a working holiday visa, Ania quickly made her way into the heart of Sydney's food scene, working behind the scenes with a range of restaurants—both new and established. She has developed a deep understanding of the industry and knows exactly how to connect with foodies across the city. As a French woman, Ania also developed an expertise in the French-Australian hospitality scene, understanding the subtleties of each market and the successful niche created by the crossover of both worlds. In this episode, we dive into Ania's journey and the lessons she's learned along the way. I hope you enjoy the conversation! We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to the people, the cultures and the Elders past and present. Bistrot Media: bistrotmedia.com Contact Ania here Ania's recommendations for French restaurants in Sydney: Four Frogs L'Heritage Episode guide: 03:45: Ania’s life before Australia 05:44: A Parisian life: glamour and hard work 09:36: First step: Melbourne with a working holiday visa 17:52: Next step: Sydney and looking for a sponsorship 19:10: Shifting career path 25:06: Taking over Bistrot Media 30:10: Navigating cultural differences 32:13: The French hospitality scene in Sydney 39:57: Reflecting on the Australian journey 44:05: Les Mots de la Fin Bonne écoute !

Meet Laurent Boillon, the trailblazing founder of Laurent Bakery, on this episode of You are so French! The Podcast. Discover how Laurent transitioned from a budding pastry chef in from Aix-en-Provence to revolutionising the Australian bakery scene over 35 years. Experience Laurent's passionate journey as he mastered French baking techniques, introduced Australians to the art of sourdough, and scaled his business in a market unfamiliar with high-end French baking. Learn about the cultural challenges he faced, his triumphs in Melbourne, and his journey to creating a recognised brand throughout Australia. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a lover of French cuisine, Laurent's story of dedication, innovation, and success is sure to inspire. Tune in for a heartfelt conversation about how one man's vision can transform appetites and business atmospheres alike. Bonne écoute! We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia. We pay our respects to Elders past and present. Episode markers: 01:41 – Episode introduction: Meet Laurent Boillon 03:45 – Learning pastry art with the best: apprenticeship at Lenôtre in Paris 07:05 – The call from overseas: Switzerland, St. Martin Island, USA, Scotland 08:32 – Becoming a baker and the art of sourdough bread 12:01 – Arriving in Australia: Cairns as a first stop 12:37 – Moving to Melbourne and early challenges 16:20 – Building Laurent Bakery: educating the market and training staff 18:45 – Sourcing quality ingredients 22:10 – Expanding the business and close partnerships 28:50 – Innovations in bread production and how Australia changed the way they eat bread 34:17 – Balancing work and family life 38:16 – Legacy and inspiring the next generation 41:22 – Future plans and aspirations 41:55 – Les mots de la fin 44:10 – Laurent’s reflections on his journey and success

Welcome to another episode of You Are So French! Today, I am excited to chat with Max Chaury. Even though Max has only been in Sydney for a year, it’s clear that he doesn’t need much time to make a mark and embrace new opportunities. In his early thirties, Max has already lived across five continents and worked in diverse fields, including a stint with the French army. Max is now settled in Sydney, where he’s spearheading Upworth, a fresh player in the personal finance arena. Upworth’s mission is to make long-term wealth management easier for people. An important topic to discuss even for us individuals with global roots who often find managing money in a new language and place pretty challenging. In the episode we talk with Max about some key moments that set the ground for a life around the world. I ask him about his first impressions of his new city, and what it’s like being the co-founder of Upworth. We also uncover how he quickly became a local expert in finance and home mortgage markets. Plus, we dive into the specific financial hurdles expats face and how to tackle them. Tune in for an inspiring chat about making bold moves and planning for an exciting future! We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia. We pay our respects to Elders past and present. Bonne écoute! Contact Max Episode Guide: 04:40 - Life Before AustraliaThe experiences and background that shaped Max's journey until moving to Australia. 17:07 - Moving to Sydney and Building UpworthThe challenges and triumphs of establishing Upworth in Sydney, highlighting key milestones. 19:16 - Financial Education and Opportunities for Newcomers in AustraliaThe importance of financial literacy and the various opportunities available for newcomers to thrive. 25:40 - Exploring Investment OptionsInvestigate different investment avenues in Australia, from real estate to stocks, and how to navigate them. 32:18 - Australia: A Land of Opportunities?Is Australia living up to its reputation as a land of opportunity, with insights on job markets and lifestyle. 44:01 - Max’s Definition of a Successful LifeMax’s personal philosophy on what constitutes a successful life, reflecting on both personal and professional achievements.

In this episode, we sit down with Jean-Pierre Chabrol, a digital media expert specialised in cultural institutions. Having spent two decades in Australia spearheading digital transformations at prestigious art organisations like the National Gallery of Victoria and the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia in Sydney, Jean-Pierre recently made a significant move back to France for a new chapter in his career and personal life. Jean-Pierre shares candid reflections on his Australian journey, from arriving as a young family full of dreams to navigating the complexities of leading innovation in renowned cultural institutions. He recounts memorable moments and the challenges of bridging digital strategies with artistic vision. Now back in Europe, Jean-Pierre discusses the fresh challenges and opportunities of starting anew, blending humour and philosophical insights into the intersections of life, art, and technology. Join us for an enlightening conversation as Jean-Pierre Chabrol shares his inspiring journey of cultural and personal transformation. We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the many lands on which we meet, work and live, and we pay our respects to Elders past and present - people who have told their stories on these lands for thousands of generations, and who continue to do so.

In this episode we have the pleasure of hearing from Olivier Vojetta. Much like many of our previous guests, Olivier has been living several lives, before Australia and since he settled in Sydney in 2012. Throughout his journey, he has grappled with duality, and Australia has provided him with both the space and the mindset to fully explore this aspect of his life. In this conversation, Olivier shares with us how he has managed to strike a balance between his left and right brain, his creative passions and analytical skills. He discusses the pivotal moments that have shaped his path, including the creation of the French Bistro events, where Francophiles gather to discuss life and societal topics through a philosophical lens. Olivier also sheds light on his writing endeavours, where he explores personal and intimate experiences. Thank you Olivier for this sincere conversation that touches on many fascinating aspects of the life of a French man in Australia. Bonne écoute ! Contact Olivier on LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/olivier-vojetta More about Olivier, his activities and his books: https://www.oliviervojetta.com/ Philo Bistro with Alliance Française de Sydney: https://www.afsydney.com.au/whats-on/philo-bistro/

Welcome to today's episode, where I have the pleasure of chatting with Eric Fusil, a remarkable individual wearing many hats: naval architect, consultant, Associate Professor, and expert in submarine defence based in Adelaide. But Eric's Australian story goes beyond his professional expertise. When he, along with his wife and three young children, embarked on a new life in Australia in 2015, they faced a myriad of challenges. Yet, amidst the fresh start, Eric saw an opportunity for his children to experience life in an English-speaking country with a foreign culture while retaining their French roots. His passion for bilingual education led him to spearhead the introduction of a French language program in a public school in Adelaide. Join us as Eric shares his journey, navigating the complexities of bringing his vision to life, all while embracing the humor and honesty that define his character. Tune in for a conversation filled with insight and generosity. Bonne écoute! Find Eric on LinkedIn. We acknowledge Traditional Owners of the lands throughout Australia. We recognise and celebrate their enduring connections to Country, knowledge and stories. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.

In this new episode of the podcast, I meet with Elise Léger. If you are a French person in Australia, you probably receive emails from Elise every now and then. Being an active member of the French community is indeed one of Elise’s many hats. Elise is an elected member for the French Citizens in Australia, Fiji, Papua Guinea and she also sits at the Assembly of the French People Overseas representing French people of the Asia-Oceania region. You would think that these roles keep her busy enough and they do but Elise is also a French teacher at the Alliance Française of Sydney and a PhD candidate. In this conversation, we talk about the many faces of the French community in Australia. Elise tells us about her commitments led by her desire to be on the field, close to the people she represents. We also discuss why French politics still matters even when you have been living far away from your homeland for a long time. I hope you’ll enjoy this candid and warm conversation with Elise. Bonne écoute ! Contact Elise: https://www.eliseleger.com/ Follow Elise on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eliselegerau/?hl=en We acknowledge Traditional Owners of the lands throughout Australia. We recognise and celebrate their enduring connections to Country, knowledge and stories. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.

In this episode of You are so French we are warmly invited into the beautiful world of Elise Pioch Balzac, founder of Maison Balzac. During this conversation, Elise takes us on a journey. We travel through her childhood memories in the south of France and her debut in the fashion world in Paris. We then fly with her to Australia where she first landed twenty years ago. With Elise we talked about style and fashion, the creative power of nostalgia, the infinite source of inspiration that are her family and homeland and how she built this joyful homeware brand Maison Balzac that transforms everyday life into memorable moments. We respectfully acknowledge the traditional owners of the lands on which this podcast was recorded, the Gadigal/Bidjigal people of the Eora Nation and Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung peoples of the Kulin nation. Bonne écoute ! To follow Elise and Maison Balzac: Maison Balzac website and instagram Elise Pioch Balzac's instagram Elise's recommendation: Emilie Delalande at Etic The Art Gallery of New South Wales

I am very honoured today to receive in You are so French! Monsieur Dominique Portet, a French winemaker who has been living and working in Australia for more than 40 years. Dominique is the ninth generation of winemakers so we talked about his family background from the Bordeaux region in France and how he exported his skills and heritage to Australia when the country was still a very young player in the wine industry. Not only a talented winemaker and businessman, Dominique is also very generous and committed to share his passion and knowledge with young winemakers in training who are coming to Australia to learn the craft and experience a new way of life. This is a beautiful conversation about wine of course but also about the kindness of Australian people, the value of hard work and all the meaningful ways to give back to the community. I am sure you will enjoy listening to Dominique as much as I enjoyed chatting with him. This episode was recorded in March 2022 in the Melbourne’s offices of the French Australian Chamber of Commerce. Thanks to the FACCI for welcoming You are so French! The Podcast. We acknowledge the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation, the traditional owners of the land on which we recorded this episode. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present. Bonne écoute! Visit Dominique Portet Winery Follow Dominique Portet Dominique's recommendations: Philippe Mouchel Laurent

In this episode of You are so French! I chat with Carole Sarasa, who is from the south west of France and is now based in Melbourne. Carole shares her experience working for an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO). She explains how this chapter of her professional life changed her deeply and gave a new meaning to her life as a white immigrant in Australia. Carole is also a Board Member of the Alliance Française in Melbourne and is passionate about politics and culture. This is a special episode where we talk, among other things, about an important yet sensitive topic through our own experiences of French Australian women and with the humble hope to spark conversations in order to better know and understand the History and current reality of Australia’s First Nations. Bonne écoute! Carole’s recommendations: First Australians by Beck Cole and Rachel Perkins on SBS Welcome to Country by Marcia Langton Dark Emu by Bruce Pascoe NITV on SBS Alliance Francaise in Australia Alliance Francaise French Film Festival Melbourne French Theatre Contact Carole on LinkedIn

In today’s episode we are chatting with Claire Voss. Claire is a French Perth based professional ballerina who performed at a soloist level and who has just retired from the West Australian Ballet in December 2022. Her new venture Voss Moves is all about movement just like Claire’s life and energy. Be ready for a conversation full of moving faces - you can hear laugh and smiles! - moving memories and travel stories. Bonne écoute ! Follow Claire: @vossclaire @voss.moves References of the episode: Swan Lake at the West Australian Ballet Milnjiya, Milky Way White Elephant Café in Margaret River

In the Petit Podcast series of You are so French! we catch up with previous guests to hear what they have been up to. In this short conversation with Laure Legros @ClimateFresk, our guest from episode 4, we talked about her achievements of the year including her 2022 French of the Year in Australia award, her holidays travel plans and an update on her return to France. Bonne écoute!

In the 5th episode of You are so French! we chat with Alexandra Ganipeau the founder of The French Hack, a tuition solution where learning French is meant to be fun and feels like a club more than a school. Alexandra also takes us back in time when she arrived in Melbourne 25 years ago and tells us how the city and the local French community have changed since then. Find and follow The French Hack: Instagram and Facebook Website Bonne écoute!