Welcome to a new episode of You Are So French! I’m excited to share my conversation with Ania Benhamadouche, Director of Sydney marketing agency Bistrot Media. From working in Parisian luxury with renowned brands like Louis Vuitton and Chanel to making her mark in Sydney's hospitality scene, Ania has built a career that spans continents and industries.

Starting with a working holiday visa, Ania quickly made her way into the heart of Sydney's food scene, working behind the scenes with a range of restaurants—both new and established. She has developed a deep understanding of the industry and knows exactly how to connect with foodies across the city.

As a French woman, Ania also developed an expertise in the French-Australian hospitality scene, understanding the subtleties of each market and the successful niche created by the crossover of both worlds.

In this episode, we dive into Ania's journey and the lessons she's learned along the way.

I hope you enjoy the conversation!

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to the people, the cultures and the Elders past and present.

Bistrot Media: bistrotmedia.com

Contact Ania here

Ania's recommendations for French restaurants in Sydney:

Four Frogs

L'Heritage

Episode guide:

03:45: Ania’s life before Australia 05:44: A Parisian life: glamour and hard work 09:36: First step: Melbourne with a working holiday visa 17:52: Next step: Sydney and looking for a sponsorship 19:10: Shifting career path 25:06: Taking over Bistrot Media 30:10: Navigating cultural differences 32:13: The French hospitality scene in Sydney 39:57: Reflecting on the Australian journey 44:05: Les Mots de la Fin

In this special episode of You are so French!, I sit down with Frédéric Alliod, the CEO of the Alliance Française French Film Festival, to explore the cultural impact of French cinema in Australia. Recorded just before the start of the 36th edition of the festival, Frédéric shares insights into how it has grown to become the largest French film event outside France.

Get a behind-the-scenes look at the selection process and discover some exciting highlights from the upcoming 2025 edition. Frédéric explains why this annual event is so important for both the local French community and Australian Francophiles, showing how cinema creates connections and promotes cultural exchange.

You’ll also hear about Frédéric’s personal journey, his passion for French cinema, and the unique challenges and joys of bringing it to an Australian audience. It’s a conversation about dreams, cultural synergy, and the vibrant life of the French in Australia.

Bonne écoute!

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.

• Before What Comes After
• The Story of Souleymane
• My Everything
• No Chains No Masters
• The Deluge
• Niki

03:20 – Frédéric’s journey as an audiovisual expert with a global career 08:50 – The biggest French film festival outside France 12:42 – The unique Australian landscape that makes it a success 18:12 – The film selection process 23:42 – Films that spark conversation 31:38 – The French, Francophile, and movie-loving audience – a festival that matters to people for different reasons 34:05 – Cinema as a soft power, inspiring your love for France 41:05 – Future plans for the festival

Meet Laurent Boillon, the trailblazing founder of Laurent Bakery, on this episode of You are so French! The Podcast.

Discover how Laurent transitioned from a budding pastry chef in from Aix-en-Provence to revolutionising the Australian bakery scene over 35 years.

Experience Laurent's passionate journey as he mastered French baking techniques, introduced Australians to the art of sourdough, and scaled his business in a market unfamiliar with high-end French baking. Learn about the cultural challenges he faced, his triumphs in Melbourne, and his journey to creating a recognised brand throughout Australia.

Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a lover of French cuisine, Laurent's story of dedication, innovation, and success is sure to inspire. Tune in for a heartfelt conversation about how one man's vision can transform appetites and business atmospheres alike.

Bonne écoute!

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.

Episode markers:

• 01:41 – Episode introduction: Meet Laurent Boillon
• 03:45 – Learning pastry art with the best: apprenticeship at Lenôtre in Paris
• 07:05 – The call from overseas: Switzerland, St. Martin Island, USA, Scotland
• 08:32 – Becoming a baker and the art of sourdough bread
• 12:01 – Arriving in Australia: Cairns as a first stop
• 12:37 – Moving to Melbourne and early challenges
• 16:20 – Building Laurent Bakery: educating the market and training staff
• 18:45 – Sourcing quality ingredients
• 22:10 – Expanding the business and close partnerships
• 28:50 – Innovations in bread production and how Australia changed the way they eat bread
• 34:17 – Balancing work and family life
• 38:16 – Legacy and inspiring the next generation
• 41:22 – Future plans and aspirations
• 41:55 – Les mots de la fin
• 44:10 – Laurent’s reflections on his journey and success