Christy Shields, a cultural anthropologist specializing in food studies, has worked with Claire Perrot in developing a journey exploring the agricultural structure and community in the Jura region of France. Shields' mission in offering the food culture course is to encourage the understanding of differences of gastronomic discourse between the United States and France.
Claire Perrot
Claire Perrot is a lovely, petite lady, one who is eager to share her passions and knowledge of foods. To Claire, one thing she stresses is that taste is about personal perception. Claire’s role as a taste educator seeks to expose people to origins of tastes and flavors, allowing for increased vocabulary on the subject of what we consume.
Jean-François Marmier
Jean-François Marmier could be in a cartoon. Dressed up like some sort of metrosexual cowboy-farmer, with his long, Jheri curl-ish hair and wide brimmed hat, “Taz” confuses the hell out of everyone with his possibly spiritual beliefs to refuse the use of possessive words. It was like a new-day Abbot and Costello routine as it took a few minutes to decipher his use of the third person. Taz is eager to share his passions for the region and his cows.
Norbert Bournez
Judging by the unusual tent-like structures on his property, Norbert Bournez appeared as if he landed near the French-Swiss border on a spaceship, perhaps the same one with Robin Williams’ Mork character (the appearance is uncanny). Norbert, a shorter individual with 60s-style hair has a youthful energy and takes pride in his Michelin-starred restaurant.
Eric Chevalier
Eric Chevalier looks like Bob Saget, at least before putting on the protective coat and hairnet. With the title of assistant cheese ager, Eric has one of the stinkiest jobs in the world. He loves it. One has to wonder how much Comté he samples each day.
Anne-Catherine Bonvalot
Contrasted with Taz, escargots farmer Anne-Catherine Bonvalot is a very humble, lovely lady with a mellow personality. Her fascination over snails led her to start her own farm, which she has maintained for around 20 years. With the variety of snails she produces and sells comes pride from the local community.
Jean-Michel Petit
A low-key individual with a warm, welcoming personality. Jean-Michel's English is excellent. He is very prideful of his land and wines, evident with his own hand print as the “logo” on every bottle he produces. With a good sense of humor, is happy to showcase the scenic views of his land.
Denis Marcelin
Always ready for a hike, Denis Marcelin dons a massive backpack and a bright orange shirt (maybe he plans on getting lost?), hiking shoes, turtle logo socks, and flood pants. This man looks like he could climb a mountain without the assistance of a Nepalese Sherpa, eager to share the fruits of the land around his gîte.