In busy modern lives, meals are often relegated to five- or 10-minute time slots. The French have long been hailed as culinary experts, and their emphasis on time spent at the dinner table is another secret worth borrowing. Living la vie de château at Château Bosgouet in Normandy, Jane Webster and her Australian family have embraced the traditions of the French table with wonder and joy at every turn, from navigating the market to setting the table and making the most of a kitchen garden, and their adventures are captured here by photographer Robyn Lea's sophisticated eye.

These sixty recipes - organised around ten themes, including holiday traditions, lunchbox contents, joie de vivre and French Sunday lunch - form a sensational catalogue of the Webster clan's favourite food moments. The double-baked soufflé with three cheeses, chicken and tarragon pie or panna cotta with lemon-infused milk with fresh summer berries are just some of the recommended dishes, all of which, when combined with good conversation and company, are the ideal catalyst for creating an occasion remembered for years to come. Fresh, seasonal ingredients are always emphasised, as is the value of setting aside as much time as possible for these all-important meals you share with family and friends.

The book has 304 pages and measures W 25 cm x L 33 cm x D 4 cm.