French Food News April 2026 brings together the biggest stories from the world of French food, drink and gastronomy this month — from a potential merger that could create the largest spirits company in the world, to a World Stuffed Cabbage Championship held in a porcelain factory in Limoges. This episode of Fabulously Delicious covers the full breadth of what is happening right now in French food culture — the serious, the surprising and the gloriously niche — with everything you need to know about the stories shaping French gastronomy in April 2026.
The big business story this month is Pernod Ricard — the French spirits giant behind Ricard, Martell, Jameson and Absolut — confirming merger talks with Brown-Forman, the American company that owns Jack Daniel’s and Woodford Reserve. If completed, it would create the largest spirits company in the world and put a very considerable French stamp on global whiskey culture. We also cover Roland-Garros 2026 and the brand new Jardin des Chefs — a dedicated food destination inside the tournament grounds running from the 24th of May, featuring Michelin-starred chefs, signature dishes and the Balle de Break, a chocolate treat in the shape of a tennis ball that is either the best or most ridiculous idea in French food this year.
The episode also covers the 2026 Roux Scholarship, one of the most prestigious culinary competitions in Britain, with deep French roots, where winner Harrison Brockington from Gather restaurant in Totnes impressed judges including honorary president Mauro Colagreco with his Mediterranean-inspired surf and turf. We look at the Le Cordon Bleu London pâtisserie scholarship worth over £75,000, open now with applications closing the 29th of May. And we discuss a fascinating Le Monde article on why young French chefs under thirty are increasingly reluctant to take on management roles in professional kitchens — a significant cultural shift for a country where the chef has always been an almost mythological figure.
The episode closes with the World Stuffed Cabbage Championship — held at the Bernardaud porcelain factory in Limoges, presided over by Philippe Etchebest, and won by Frenchman Olivier Caillon. Because every month of French food news should end with something that makes you smile. Search Fabulously Delicious on Spotify and Apple Podcasts for more French food stories every week.
Fabulously Delicious — where we explore the food, culture, history, and travel experiences that make France one of the most delicious countries in the world. If you love French cuisine, Paris food culture, hidden bakeries, markets, wine bars, and regional specialties, you’re in the right place.
🎧 You can also listen to Fabulously Delicious: The French Food Podcast on all major podcast platforms.
Explore Paris Through Food
If you’re planning a trip to Paris — or simply dreaming about one — my book Paris: A Fabulous Food Guide to the World’s Most Delicious City is your ultimate food lover’s companion.
Inside you’ll discover hand-picked recommendations for the best:
🥐 Boulangeries
🍰 Pâtisseries
🍷 Wine bars
☕ Cafés
🍽️ Restaurants
🧀 Specialty food shops
All personally curated to help you experience the true flavours of Paris.
📖 Order your copy here: https://www.andrewpriorfabulously.com/category/books
Cook With Me in France
Want to go beyond tasting French food and actually learn to cook it in France? Join me in Montmorillon, in the beautiful Vienne region, for one of my Vienne Residency Cooking Experiences.
These immersive stays combine:
✨ Hands-on French cooking classes
🧺 Visits to local markets
🍷 Regional food tastings
🏡 A private stay in a charming French townhouse
🇫🇷 A true taste of life in rural France
It’s the perfect experience for food lovers who want to live the French lifestyle for a few days.
Learn more here: https://www.andrewpriorfabulously.com/vienne-residencies
Stay Connected
👍 Like the video
💬 Leave a comment
🔔 Subscribe for more French food, travel, and culture
Join the Fabulously Delicious Newsletter
If you enjoy exploring French food, culture, travel, and culinary history, you can go even deeper by joining my Fabulously Delicious newsletter on Substack.
Subscribers receive extra content including:
🇫🇷 Stories about French food and culinary traditions
🍰 Recipes inspired by France
🧀 Food discoveries from Paris and across France
🍷 Behind-the-scenes insights from the podcast
📍 Travel tips for delicious places to eat and explore
It’s the perfect place for anyone who loves French cuisine and the culture that surrounds it.
You can subscribe here: https://substack.com/@fabulouslydelicious
Every subscription helps support the podcast and allows me to continue creating content celebrating French food, chefs, and culinary culture.
Merci beaucoup for being part of the Fabulously Delicious community. 🇫🇷✨
#FrenchFood #FrenchCuisine #Podcast #FoodPodcast #HistoryPodcast #CulinaryHistory #FoodTravel #FoodTourism #FranceTravel #frenchfoodnews