Events & Programs

Several years ago, Dr. Monique Wells wrote a cookbook called Food for the Soul.  While her mission in creating this book was to reconnect with her southern Louisiana and Texas culinary roots as a Paris expatriate, she also delved into the seeds that sprouted creating those roots – the trade routes that introduced various foodstuffs to foreign lands.

In her presentation, Dr. Wells will discuss the common threads found among various foods and methods of food preparation in Africa and its Diaspora and their cultural significance among African Diaspora peoples.

About the author

Dr. Monique Y. Wells is a native of Houston, Texas and a 19 1/2 -year resident of Paris.  She is the author of the cookbook Food for the Soul – A Texas Expatriate Nurtures Her Culinary Roots in Paris. Food for the Soul is a coffee table-style book containing over 90 recipes featuring Texas and southern Louisiana cooking and includes historical information on various ingredients commonly used in soul food dishes, the differences between Creole and Cajun cuisine, the origin of chili and the significance of the African-American holiday Juneteenth.

Monique and her husband Tom Reeves are co-founders of Discover Paris! offering personalized itineraries for independent travelers.  Monique is the creator of Discover Paris’ Entrée to Black Paris tours and activities—including self-guided Afro-centric itineraries and private, guided walking tours.  Tom and Monique have created Discover Paris’ gourmet itineraries and write the weekly Paris Insights restaurant review.