This DVD takes on a bit of a ?reality TV? feel as they family packs, moves and settles in France and is a ?worts and all? look at a man in mid life crisis trying desperately to rediscover the people who share is house and is life. In blocks of half hour episodes, we as an audience get to voyeuristically eavesdrop on John?s life and his family dynamics. And in spite of everything going on around this family we get to experience first hand the pure genius of this talented chef. John?s ease in the kitchen and his casual nature belie the skill he posses and his brilliance at creating a wonderful dish to serve a family is inspirational to say the least.

This DVD is a two-disc set with each disc running for approx 2 hours and containing 5 episodes. For the technical minded the DVD is an aspect ratio of 16:9 and the audio is stereo. Dual layer transition ? but I have no problems or ?slight pauses? in the picture. I was disappointed to not have subtitles ? they are something I have grown to love! But this in no way detracts from the value of the DVD.

Episode one- If you can?t stand the heat?..

As with any mid life crisis of this nature the dreams are not usually the reality and as tempers flare and the mercury rises inside the family, John retreats to the kitchen to prove he can take the heat- he whips up a great mouth-watering ?French Onion Soup? (that left me wanting to hit pause and make some too!) and some Apple Crepes that were ?to die for?!

The next 9 episodes follow and include great recipes such as Walnut Bread and goats cheese salad, I have decided that to list them all mainly because that would be a bit tiresome and you really have to watch them for yourself or its just like a recipe book with no pictures.

Now whilst the recipes are fabulous- the soap opera running behind the scenes is well worth a look too- you will be treated to everything imaginable from problem children that are not where they want to be! A visit from the mother in law, & the drama?s of an untrained puppy in a new house and this without the cooking is entertaining in itself!

Besides being a thoroughly entertaining eavesdrop on a ?normal? family, one of the great things about owning this DVD is that you will be able to have the recipe demonstrated over and over again until you have perfected it. (And of course then you can claim it as your own!). This DVD met my insatiable love of cooking shows and the twist of reality TV was an added bonus. Whilst I can concede this will not be for everyone it is a great way to while away a lazy mid week day at home and who knows you may even be inspired to create a wonderful meal too. (?Oh you have to taste my chocolate truffles??)

Available on ABC DVD this DVD is well worth the trip into the ABC shop and definitely one for the home collection.

THE EXTRAS

No Bonus features

CONCLUSION

Carrying on in the tradition of ?The Naked Chef? and ?two fat Ladies? this DVD is a virtual feast of France, its people, places, an of course the food that differentiates. Join John Burton Race- an award winning chef from the heart of London and his family of six children a dog and a wife as they ?run away from it all? and settle in the French countryside.