September 29, 2008
C&Z turns 5!
Today marks the fifth anniversary of Chocolate & Zucchini -- and, I might add, the first anniversary of its French version. My first impulse was to comment on the fact that time flies, it seems like only yesterday, or something to that effect, but the truth is, I find it so extraordinarily difficult to remember what my life was like before I started C&Z, it's almost embarrassing.
Creating this blog five years ago has undoubtedly been among the most life-altering decisions I've ever made -- up there with giving up thumb sucking when I was eight, and switching to contacts when I was fourteen. Chocolate & Zucchini has since done so much for me, it has become so familiar and indispensable a part of my life, I think of it practically as a family member.
And I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to you, readers of C&Z. If it weren't for you, your visits, your comments, your emails, your participation in forum discussions, and, in general, what you bring to this not-so-virtual table, I don't think I would have come this far, learned this much, or had this much fun. So, thank you, your support means the world to me, it truly does.
As has become the tradition, Maxence and I will host a get-together in Paris in mid-October; I am still ironing out the details -- organizational skills? what organizational skills? -- but they will be announced v. soon.
Perhaps you'd like to hear about a few things that have happened since we last celebrated C&Z's anniversary? Here goes: my first cookbook, Chocolate & Zucchini, was published in France under the title Chocolat & Zucchini; my second book, Clotilde's Edible Adventures in Paris, came out in the US; I was offered a column in ELLE à table, the food edition of the French ELLE (I accepted); and I started working on an idea for a television show -- the project is still in its early infancy, but I should have more on this in a few months.
And on a more personal level, I embraced the lifelong, glorious role of being somebody's aunt: my nephew is now 6 1/2 months old, and I am happy to announce that he has just started eating puréed zucchini with great enthusiasm.
And before we part, please accept this little anniversary gift: I have created online maps of the restaurants and shops featured in Clotilde's Edible Adventures in Paris -- I hope you find them useful in your explorations of the city.
~~~
The celebratory macarons pictured above (pistachio, raspberry, dark chocolate) come from Grégory Renard's shop, located at 120 rue Saint-Dominique, Paris 7ème (01 47 05 19 17).
Never miss a recipe!
Sign up for the Chocolate & Zucchini newsletter to receive monthly news and a digest of recent entries.
Print me!
| 
French version
| 
Comments (66)
Permalink | Posted by clotilde in Interlude
Happy Birthday and congratulations!!! Now television, how exciting! You really are taking the culinary world by storm.
Enjoy every minute of this life you have created for yourself.
Posted by Erin on September 29, 2008 6:03 PMI love love love the maps! I just got 'Edible Adventures in Paris' at the weekend to help me plan a trip to Paris I'm making in November, and having read the whole thing cover to cover (I couldn't stop, even though it made me so hungry that I ate way too much chocolate while sprawled on the sofa), my next step was going to be to put points on a Google map so I could plan the best route. So thank you very, very much - and happy birthday C&Z!
Posted by Katherine, the Awfulknitter on September 29, 2008 6:23 PMHappy anniversary! So nice that your blog gives back to you as much enjoyment as we get from reading it.
Looking forward to many more yummy posts.
Posted by Kitt on September 29, 2008 6:31 PMHappy birthday to C&Z - may there be many more! Sadly I won't be able to make it to the birthday party, but I'll definitely be there in spirit.
Posted by Rachel on September 29, 2008 6:36 PMFelicitations!
But only three macarons for a 5th anniversary??? I think you're short two cookies.
Posted by Charlotte on September 29, 2008 6:45 PMHooray!!!! Happy 5th Birthday Chocolate and Zucchini!!! Such a wonderful blog!! Massive congratulations and continued success on your new adventures!!!! YIPPEE!!! :D
Posted by Jillian on September 29, 2008 6:48 PMIt was a very happy day that I discovered Chocolate & Zucchini, and thank you very much for all the good times that you've given me since then!
Here's a champagne toast to many C&Z succcesses to come!
Posted by Ashley on September 29, 2008 7:02 PMC&Z is a happy distraction from my workday, so for that I thank you! Congratulations -- and here's to many more years of blogging, writing, TV'ing (that's a word, right?), and of course, partaking in all things delicious. ;)
Posted by Dawn in CA on September 29, 2008 7:42 PMAnd thank you for writing such good content. I finally took the plunge and started a food blog of my own (ediblecities.wordpress.com) and took your blog among others as part of my inspiration. I am glad to see that it has done such wonderful things for you. Keep sending those ripple effects into the world.
Posted by Carrie on September 29, 2008 7:48 PMDear Clotilde,
CONGRATULATIONS!! What a terrific achievement!! I just wanted you to know that I own both your books and have cooked a number of things from Chocolate And Zucchini and they all have been faboulous!! We were in Paris this summer and I fell in love with your beautiful city and cannot wait to return. Your blog helps to ease my longing for Paris and I thoroughly enjoy it - keep up the great work!!
Posted by Culinaryrose on September 29, 2008 7:53 PMCongratss!!!
Posted by isil on September 29, 2008 7:59 PMIs there a recipe for the Macaroons in the picture at the top of this post? I checked your recipe archive and didn't see anything. The Patisserie by my office sells them and I'd love to be able to make them!
Congrats on the anniversary!
Posted by Sara Shoys on September 29, 2008 8:21 PMCongratulations Clotilde!
Posted by Jen on September 29, 2008 8:24 PMThe maps are priceless - thanks Clotilde! I have definitely made some bad choices when eating in Paris (yes, it's possible), and I'm so happy to have a trusted guide.
Alden
Posted by Alden on September 29, 2008 8:30 PMHi Clotilde,
Congratulations on your 5 year anniversary! I love reading your blog! I hope to travel to Paris one day and when that day finally comes, I will definitely use your recommendations. You have inspired me to start my own blog. I'm the 'foodie' of my social circle. Should be fun. BTW, I am so ordering that sesame mill. :-)
Your blog helps fulfill my need for culture. I live in Alabama (USA), and let's just say there's a different kind of culture here.
Posted by Ashley on September 29, 2008 8:48 PMCongratulations. Five already? Time flies when you're having fun:)
Posted by oolong on September 29, 2008 8:54 PM5 ans ! Quelle vieille ! Très bel anniversaire !
Posted by Tiuscha on September 29, 2008 9:01 PMCongratulations on your five-year anniversary. Your blog is wonderful, and I look forward to reading much more of it.
Posted by Beth on September 29, 2008 9:34 PMClotilde! it's been such a journey reading you for 3 years (out of 5) I can't quite believe it myself! You're still an inspiration and I really look forward to seeing you again in Paris in mid-October for the C&Z get together.
All the best,
Marie
Posted by est on September 29, 2008 10:15 PMHappy blog birthday Clotilde! You are a wonderful blogger and person, and I look forward to many more years of C&Z! Best wishes for all your projects!
Posted by Anita on September 29, 2008 10:20 PMCongratulations to the hardest working food blogger I know! You deserve every single second of spotlight.
Posted by Mu Foo on September 29, 2008 10:37 PMThe macarons look amazing and it seems to me they are not at all the same things as 'macaroons', which I know as biscuits of haphazard shape, similarly made of egg-white but most commonly flavoured with coconut. A recipe for genuine Parisian macarons would be grand, Clotilde - though Wiki says they are so diffcult to make well that they are in short supply. Perhaps its because they taste as good as they look and Parisians scoff them by the dozen!
Posted by Stephen on September 29, 2008 10:56 PMHow wonderful!!! Congratulations! Your recipes and writing style are delicious, and I thank you so much for doing what do you. :>
Posted by Margaret on September 30, 2008 1:19 AMCongrats and here's to another five years!
Posted by Nikki on September 30, 2008 1:27 AMJoyous Congratulations!
Clotilde, I'm trying to remember life before chocolate & zucchini:-)
Lucky nephew having such an aunt..oh the food stories you'll tell him..
Posted by Joan on September 30, 2008 1:43 AMHappy Birthday! Your blog and story is and continue to be inspiring for someone who works as a software engineer but trying to find her real place in this world :)
Cheers!
Posted by Alice on September 30, 2008 1:44 AMCongratulations!
Posted by chateaubrys on September 30, 2008 2:04 AMYour blog was one of the first that inspired me, and I'm delighted that so many wonderful things have come into your life as an outgrowth of C&Z. You have set the bar very high, and the rest of us are trying to keep up. Congratulations on your first five years!
Posted by Lydia (The Perfect Pantry) on September 30, 2008 2:23 AMbon anniversaire! As a relative newcomer to C&Z I look forward to the next 5 years...on your delicious food blog and whatever adventures await you. Seeing these delicious macarons makes me miss Paris. I used to live in the 7th on rue du colonel combs.
Posted by saucymomma on September 30, 2008 3:34 AMFélicitations chérie!
I can't wait for details of the PAris meet-up, I have been looking for an excuse to get back to Paris for ages.
Happy Birthday!
Posted by Fran on September 30, 2008 3:54 AMI so enjoy your writing, ideas and recipes!
Words for you; gifted, inspiring, go-getter, creative .. and auntie.
Congratulations.
Posted by SAS on September 30, 2008 4:20 AMbravo pour ce beau blog.. 5 ans déjà c'est fou... Bravo aussi pour tout ce qu'il t'a apporté ! des macarons pour le fêter, je ne pouvais pas louper ça !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by mercotte on September 30, 2008 4:30 AMCongratulations Clotilde. Your success is very inspiring. I envy you in many ways.
Posted by chefectomy on September 30, 2008 4:56 AMHappy birthday,C&Z, and congratulations,Clotilde!
Posted by miho on September 30, 2008 6:26 AMShareing the joy of cooking,traveling etc. with you and your readers all over the world on your blog are really great!
Best wishes for all your works.
Happy anniversary Clotilde. Yours was the first blog I read back in 2004 and the inspiration to begin my own. Congrats on being an auntie. How wonderful for your family to have a baby about.
Posted by barbara on September 30, 2008 7:58 AMHappy Birthday!! You are a super super site - love your writing, love your food and love the usability.
Posted by justfoodnow on September 30, 2008 8:32 AMOh Wow!!! Five years already!!!! Amazing how great the time has been for you, and well...for me too! Riding along with C&Z has been a huge enhancement in my life.
Looking forward to your party in October.
gros bisous!
Posted by Alisa on September 30, 2008 8:43 AMHi Clotilde,
Can you answer a question that has been bothering me, why is the French version of your book not called Chocolat & Courgette?
Posted by Sabayon on September 30, 2008 8:57 AMBon Anniversaire!
Happy happy blog anniversary! :)
Posted by Anne on September 30, 2008 9:05 AMHappy blog-Day chère Clotilde,
Posted by sooishi on September 30, 2008 9:07 AMet félicitations pour tes pages dans le ELLE elles sont très bien faites!
Happy birthday, C&Z!
Posted by Your sister on September 30, 2008 10:03 AMEverything you have done during these past five years has been amazing, I am VERY PROUD of you!
And I am sure your nephew will enjoy reading your blog and eating the meals you will prepare for him as soon as he has teeth (if only they'd come out at last!) and... can read (for that, we will hopefully have to wait much longer!)
Happy, happy birthday C&Z! And many thanks dear Clotilde for bringing wonderful and delicious posts.
Posted by Fabio on September 30, 2008 10:06 AMI have your book and I read your blog. I have cooked many of your recipes and they all turned out fantastic. I wish youall the best with all my heart!
Posted by FoodJunkie on September 30, 2008 10:57 AMCongratulations, Clothilde! Your blog and books are a constant source of inspiration. If I lived in Paris I would be at your anniversary party with bells on. I have secretly been hoping that someday you'd venture into television and my fingers are crossed that any future broadcasts will make their way to the US!
Posted by Amy on September 30, 2008 3:09 PMCongratulations. Your site, book, etc are a joy to all who read them.
Posted by Maggie at Pithy and Cleaver on September 30, 2008 3:29 PMHappy Anniversary Clotilde on your marvelous adventure!
Please do not forget that your decision to start your blog has changed not only your life, but ours as well. Your blog and your books have enriched my life and table more than I can say. Thank you for everything and I can't wait to hear more about the television show.
Posted by Laura on September 30, 2008 4:14 PMClotidle-
Posted by Kasey on September 30, 2008 5:48 PMCongratulations! Your blog continues to inspire and amaze me. Your writing can really take me away to Paris. Thank you for brightening so many people's days on a regular basis!
Best,
Kasey
Congratulations, Clotilde! I enjoyed our short email correspondence while I was in Paris this summer (oh how I miss Paris!) and it made me an even bigger cheerleader for your success. Someone so talented, driven and just plain nice deserves every success in the world! Bonne anniversaire C&Z!
Posted by Jody on September 30, 2008 7:26 PMCongratulations!
It's funny that you mention the milestone of being an aunt--my only sister and her husband welcomed their first child not-quite a year ago. I have little experience with children, and my first reaction to aunthood was "am I supposed to be an adult now?", but I absolutely adore my weekly visits with my bouncy little niece (when I get to behave like anything but an adult!). I'm not sure if she's had zucchini, but she definitely likes chocolate! ;)
Posted by mandysu on September 30, 2008 10:58 PMCongratulations on your 5 year anniversary! As with many commenters yours was one of the first blogs I read regularly before starting my own. Have a great meet up in Paris and if you ever fancy having a London meet up I'll be there.
Posted by Gemma on October 1, 2008 1:45 PMJOYEUX ANNIVERSAIRE !
JOYEUX ANNIVERSAIRE !
JOYEUX ANNIVERSAIRE . . . C&Z
JOYEUX ANNIVERSAIRE !
Congratulations on following your dream
Continued success,
Posted by gwendolyn on October 1, 2008 5:43 PMGwendolyn
Congrats on five excellent years!
Posted by Expat Chef on October 1, 2008 6:46 PMSara Shoys and others - Gourmet magazine did a whole spread on making macarons in the September edition (U.S.). Below is a link to their recipes, several variations on the macaron theme. YUM! Good luck!
http://www.gourmet.com/search/query?keyword=macarons
Posted by Dawn in CA on October 1, 2008 7:19 PMDear Clotilde,
I'm late around here to celebrate C&Z's 5th birthday, but I still do anyways - congratulations! Ever since I discovered this little gem on the websphere sometime after its birth, it's been a great 5 years (almost) for me to come and check what you've got here, and find something new, fun, and/or yummy, and I'm sure my (personal) love affair with C&Z will stay for the year to come and beyond. I cannot physically be in Paris for the birthday bash, but I hope you and your guests will all have a great time together.
Thanks for letting us see/taste the beauty of Paris and the world through your eyes and writings. x
Posted by chika on October 1, 2008 11:17 PMA very Happy Birthday to C&Z, and congratulations Clotilde. And thank you for giving us all so much - C&Z, the forums, friends, food, entertainment and fabulous recipes.
Have you introduced your little nephew to the joys of chocolate yet?
Cheers from Oz
Posted by Judy on October 2, 2008 12:43 AMHappy fifth birthday, C&Z! I hope that you'll have many more :)
Posted by Angela on October 2, 2008 10:06 PMJoyeaux Anniversaire!
I quite prefer the macaroons from Renard than the other places... delicious.
Posted by Joan Pan on October 3, 2008 9:59 AMjoyeux anniversaire!
your blog has introduced so many delicious new things to me, and i look forward to every new post. i learn, i laugh, and most importantly, i get to eat fantastic new things! thank you for all you do. : )
Posted by franko on October 3, 2008 3:50 PMC&Z congratulations on your 5th birthday!
Posted by anaxuxu on October 4, 2008 4:31 AMI have been your admirer for many years, before knowing that you were such a success! Your recipes have been around my kitchen more then you can imagine.
If you intend to visit Brasil, please let me know it.
Just discovered C&Z... and you've inspired me to start baking! I've tried out two recipes so far, one from your book and another from this blog and both turned out great! Look forward to many more happy adventures in the kitchen.
Congrats on your 5th Anniversary!
Posted by Elizabeth on October 4, 2008 2:39 PMCongratulations, Clotilde! It seems like not too long ago that I first came across your blog and was mesmerized by your writing style, enthusiasm for food, and photos that were like a peak into someone's life. Ah...if only I were in Paris (oh, the thought is too tempting) Anyway, congrats again and hope that C&Z enjoys many more great years!
Posted by Diana @ AppetiteforChina on October 5, 2008 3:29 AMHappy (belated) birthday Clotilde. Your blog has kept me both happy (thanks) and hungry (double thanks) for the last year since I stumbled upon it. Accident, I think not. Hope the celebrations went well. Gutted I wasn't in Paris for la fete !
Bisous
Posted by Riki on October 5, 2008 6:32 PMRiki
You truly are an inspiration. I'd like to thank you for both the great content you provide and also, for proving that anything is possible in life, you just have to follow your dreams. I launched my own food blog about a month ago and C&Z was amongst a select few that inspired me to do so. Thank you and congratulations again!
Posted by Yasmin (Almond & The Hazelnut) on October 6, 2008 12:07 PMje lisais votre blog pendant longtemps et je te félicite et remercie de tout ton travail. merci.
Posted by jason on October 8, 2008 5:07 PMHappy belated anniversary, Clotilde! :)
Posted by Y on October 9, 2008 2:33 PMI'm sorry I'm late!
happy birthday to a very sweet blog.
Posted by del4yo on October 15, 2008 4:25 AM