Pompette Cookbook
Known for its French-inspired menu, exceptional wines, and warm hospitality, neighbourhood bistro Pompette has released its very own cookbook.
Hear directly from the husband and wife duo behind Oxford’s iconic restaurant, Pascal and Laura Wiedemann below.
Available to Pre-Order now for delivery from 1 December, it’s a heartfelt journey through classical European cuisine, rooted in French tradition – and packed with comforting recipes, from humble snacks to bistro favourites.
To be quite honest, I never planned to open my own restaurant, but I had always wanted to write a cookbook. There was never a grand plan as such – I just love to cook (so does Laura by the way, and she’s great at it!).
To understand my love for food, you can look to Alsace in France, where my dad is from and I spent time growing up, and visit often today. Although in France, it spent long periods under German rule resulting in a cuisine all of its own. My Alsatian grandmother, ‘maoma’, ran a successful fruit and vegetable company, and my father – after meeting my mother in Strasbourg, and moving to England – started a cheese importing company called ‘Fromages de France’. So yes, perhaps I was destined to end up in the kitchen.
Now at Pompette, I cook what I love. I’ll always gravitate towards classic European dishes, so despite our French name and heritage, we explore other European flavours and push the boundaries…just a little bit. The Pompette Cookbook then, had to reflect this philosophy too; and crucially, be filled with useful and attainable ideas for the home cook.
Classic flavour combinations work for a reason, so there are plenty here to add to your repertoire. Most of the recipes we’ve included have been tried and tested on our menus for years now. In fact, there are some that we’ll never take off, such as our Soupe de Poisson – we have customers who come in every week specifically for it, and there would be a riot if it came off!
My hope is that our own contribution to my ever-growing cookbook collection will stand the test of time, and bring the joy of comforting cooking from France and beyond, into your home. Enjoy!
Pascal and Laura x
Want your own copy? Head over to the Pompette website here
