FR - Les Pâtes Gourmandes is Maxime Jourdois’ culinary adventure and an invitation to savour Italian delicacies, with a ‘French-style’ twist.
Tasting session with Maxime Jourdois
From Pouzilhac to Arpaillargues
After training under my predecessor, Didier Lebonhomme, in Pouzilhac, and taking over the business, I decided to set up shop in Arpaillargues, right opposite the Café de l’Univers – a must-visit spot in the village – and to offer a gourmet menu with Italian influences, adapted to the seasons.
My professional background – spanning industry, security and over twenty years in the catering sector – has taught me a sense of rigour, as has my experience as a market trader. Making fresh, artisanal pasta ultimately takes me back a little to that latter activity, as my stall awaits you on Wednesdays and Saturdays at Place aux Herbes in Uzès and Tuesday & Friday in Saint-Quentin-la-Poterie.
Tradition & innovation
With my ‘gourmet pasta’, I wanted to showcase my creativity as well as my passion for cooking, whilst remaining open to feedback – whether positive or… negative – which helps me improve my products day by day. It’s a challenge I take on with great pleasure!
My assistant chef, Marine Gabayet, also works alongside me for much of the week, helping with both the assembly of dishes and the preparation of condiments, as well as sales in the workshop. As for me, I must admit I’m concocting my products almost… seven days a week.
Each week usually brings a new recipe. Whilst traditional spaghetti and tagliatelle are, of course, on offer, they’re joined by more elaborate pasta dishes, such as cannelloni or ravioli filled with aubergine and Parmesan, or lemon ricotta (available at the markets in Uzès on Wednesdays and Fridays, and on Tuesdays and Fridays in Saint-Quentin-la-Poterie!), guanciale and sweet onion, courgette and speck, chicken and mozzarella with fresh tomatoes, or even carrot and sesame – a Greek-style version for moussaka ravioli – or with a distinctly British twist, featuring cheddar, are all on the menu… I also enjoy working with gochujang beef or salmon tartare, as well as tofu and figs.
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Is your mouth watering yet? Well, we mustn’t forget to mention some specialities that are bound to whet the appetite of food lovers, showcasing local produce such as artichokes, asparagus, the sweet Cévennes onion combined here with Parmesan, walnuts (including that delicious gorgonzola and walnut combination so beloved by Italians), mushrooms (read our article) or brandade. Goat’s cheese isn’t forgotten, nor is honey, which is so wonderfully capable of bringing out flavours….
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Gourmet collaborations
As I collaborate regularly with renowned restaurants in the region, such as L’Avida in Laudun, La Famille and Le Caracolès in Uzès, I must always ensure I play by the rules: mastering my craft and offering a varied, high-quality range. It’s a very inspiring partnership.
Many thanks to Maxime Jourdois for his contribution to the blog’s ‘Terroir’ section.
The place to go: Les pâtes gourmandes, opposite the Café de l’Univers, in Arpaillargues. Tel: 06 11 56 38 01. Open on Mondays from 7.30 am to 4 pm, Tuesdays from 9.30 am to 5 pm, Thursdays from 7.30 am to 3 pm and Fridays from 9.30 am to 2.30 pm. Les pâtes gourmandes can be found at the markets in Uzès (Wednesdays & Saturdays) and Saint-Quentin-la-Poterie (Tuesdays &Fridays). Follow Les pâtes gourmandes on Instagram.