- Title: Parisians dine on calf's head in tribute to Chirac
- Date: 2nd October 2019
- Summary: VARIOUS OF STILL PHOTO OF PERRAUDIN WITH CHIRAC
- Embargoed: 16th October 2019 12:20
- Keywords: Jacques Chirac french food calf head gastronomy restaurant
- Location: PARIS AND POMACLE, FRANCE
- City: PARIS AND POMACLE, FRANCE
- Country: France
- Topics: Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA004AZONJ2F
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Some queued outside the Elysee Palace under lead-grey skies to pay tribute to Jacques Chirac who died on Thursday (September 26). Others flocked to bistrot Le Pere Claude for one of the former French president's favorite dishes: "tete de veau" or calf's head.
Chirac was an old-fashioned country politician who delighted rural voters with his common touch and love for regional delicacies and local wines. Some farmers dubbed him the "ambassador of tete de veau."
It was here that Chirac celebrated his 2002 re-election victory; his photo stands on the counter.
Dining at Le Pere Claude, close to the Eiffel Tower, has become a rite of passage for French politicians. But with a whiff of nostalgia for the Chirac era, bistrot owner Claude Perraudin lamented how the modern-day politician had become too straight-laced.
"Sometimes Chirac would have a little pastis with a mint syrup, or a Corona beer. Now, the politicians who come here order roast chicken and a glass of water, just water," he said.
The dish can be prepared by de-boning the calf's head and poaching it slowly in a broth, well-seasoned with vegetables, parsley, peppercorns and salt.
At one table, 37-year-old Alexis lunched on a bowl of calf's head and chilled rose wine with his grandfather, eating for the first time the dish long-cherished by Chirac.
(Production: Noémie Olive) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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