Lush colours
Mazarine, Monica Galetti, Rosina, LAMP LDN LIVING, Compton Cycles, The Regency, MORE
ABOUT FOUND • Help Wanted
We’re newly on the search for an editorial assistant. It’s a fractional job requiring 5-10 hours per week, and includes organising FOUND’s editorial calendar, communicating with contributors, updating FOUND’s website, and if you please, some writing. The position is remote, though the ideal candidate will be based in a FOUND city.
Speaking of, the wheels are turning on new FOUND cities. We’re looking for contributors based in Sydney and Melbourne, plus Chicago, New Orleans, and Hawaii. These are very flexible freelance roles that don’t necessarily require a professional writing background — mostly passion about FOUND categories along with impeccable taste. Is that you, or a friend?
We need a paid social guru to manage a small spend.
If any of these opportunities excites you, drop us a line at found@itsfound.com and tell us a little bit about yourself.
WORK • Wednesday Routine
Mic drop
PAULINE GAUTHIER • head of food, drinks & agrifoodtech • Business France – UK & Ireland
Neighbourhood you work in: Holborn
Neighbourhood you live in: Forest Hill
It’s Wednesday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
I work for the trade branch of the French Embassy, helping French agrifood companies with exports to the UK. We organise trade tastings and introduce producers to amazing British retailers, chatting about wine, food and ag-tech with people who are passionate about it. I love my job and the experiences it brings.
What’s on the agenda for today?
I’ll be talking to clients, partners and suppliers to shape our ideas into concrete projects. If I haven’t had time to cook and bring my lunch from home, I’ll grab it from Pho82 (super fresh, super good, but super busy), Viet Eat or Farmer J. After work, I’ll cycle to our weekly improv comedy training with French British Improvisation, where we perform in French or English.
Any restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
I’m excited to go to Rules for the first time. I’ve been in love with British cuisine and baking since I moved to London 15 years ago (I even dedicated a blog to it for years) and I’ve been told Rules has the best sticky toffee pudding.
For British food, Butlers Wharf Chop House, The Quality Chop House, The Anchor and Hope and Hawksmoor are also favourites of mine. When I crave French food, my go-tos are sister restaurants Casse-Croute and Pique-Nique. I also love Donia for Filipino food, Koya for Japanese and Yori for Korean.
How about a little leisure or culture?
I’ve been doing improvisation for 20 years. I love theatre, musicals and concerts. My husband and I often go to The Barbican Centre, which has amazing productions and exhibitions. I adored My Neighbour Totoro and The Seagull. On weekends, we often take our kids to The Horniman Museum and Dulwich Picture Gallery, which are just around the corner. We also go to Copeland Park and The Bussey Building in Peckham, where our kids take skateboard lessons with the über-cool teachers. We grab a bite there or catch a movie at Peckhamplex (one of the last independent cinemas in London, and one of the cheapest).
Any weekend getaways?
We love getting out of the city, often for day trips to a National Trust or English Heritage spot. There are always lovely places to visit, or a café to grab lunch. Last weekend, we went to Bosham, which was sweet. On New Year’s Day, we wrap up in hats and puffer jackets and go to Brighton for the day, which always includes fish and chips from The Regency. It’s our little family tradition.
What was your last great holiday?
We’ve spent a couple of weeks in Annecy for the past few summers. The lake is magnificent, the old town busy but beautiful, and the food amazing. We cycle to different beaches around the lake each day – our favourites are Talloires, Menthon St Bernard or La Brune. At La Brune, you can hire a pedalo for an hour and have fun on the lake. We gorge ourselves on ice-creams at Maison Perriere (they have over 80 flavours and chantilly cream is free!), and local specialities at L’Estaminet or Le Zinc à Raoul. We take the kids on guided tours of the Chateau de Menthon St Bernard and see the parapentes (paragliders) at the Col de la Forclaz.
What’s a recent big-ticket purchase you love?
I bought my electric bike from Compton Cycles, where the team is brilliant. To me, cycling is the best way to travel across London – you don’t get crushed on the tube and you discover new corners of our city every day.
Where are you donating your time or money?
I give a lot of time to The French British Improvisation (FBI). I’m a founding member and have been part of the charity for 12 years. Improv is one of the most inclusive forms of art I know. I also give money every month to Evelina London, who do incredible work to support children and their families going through hard times in several London hospitals.
LONDON RESTAURANT LINKS: Indian fine dining import Trèsind to serve tasting menu and chaat trolley • Former French Laundry chef Jonathan Ferguson named head chef at Brooklands by Claude Bosi at Peninsula London • Pizza slice shop Carmy’s opening in Covent Garden • Camberwell bakery TOAD opening second site in Deptford Market.
RESTAURANTS • First Word
All at sea
The Skinny: A sleek, modern spot that opened in Mayfair in December, Mazarine is the most recent endeavour from Khaled Dandachi and Fred Srouchi, the restaurateurs behind Sparrow Italia. It serves refined French coastal cuisine, with chef Thierry Laborde focusing on top-quality, fresh seafood.