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

Welcome to another episode of You Are So French! Today, I’m joined by Eva Bonnet, better known as Bonjour Mate on social media. With over 500,000 followers on Instagram and TikTok, Eva brings the quirks of French culture and language to life through her engaging and humorous videos.

Eva’s Australian’s story began in Melbourne with love and a corporate job. Passionate about pastry, she created a small side business of choux to cater for local sweet enthusiasts.

Her life took a major turn when she was diagnosed with cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic, facing treatment while being unable to see her family in France.

On her way to recovery, Eva became a mum and now, as a mother of two sons, she is dedicated to building a strong connection to French culture for them. A creative soul, Eva’s passion for sharing her French heritage led her to start engaging videos online, which quickly attracted a loyal community eager to learn-and laugh- about French language and culture.

In this heartfelt conversation, we explore her journey through resilience, creativity, and the love for her heritage. Enjoy this genuine and inspiring conversation where you can hear smiles along the way.

Bonne écoute!

Episode Guide: 03:57 Life Before Australia: St Tropez and Dordogne. 10:57 First steps in Melbourne. 15:00 Finding Love and a Reason to Stay. 19:06 The Choux Pastry Business. 23:12 Navigating Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment during COVID-19. 29:12 Re-Discovering French Culture and Heritage through Motherhood. 36:22 Balancing Life and Content Creation. 50:43 Reflections on Success. 52:00 Les Mots de la Fin.

Welcome to another episode of You Are So French! Today, I am excited to chat with Max Chaury. Even though Max has only been in Sydney for a year, it’s clear that he doesn’t need much time to make a mark and embrace new opportunities. In his early thirties, Max has already lived across five continents and worked in diverse fields, including a stint with the French army.

Max is now settled in Sydney, where he’s spearheading Upworth, a fresh player in the personal finance arena. Upworth’s mission is to make long-term wealth management easier for people. An important topic to discuss even for us individuals with global roots who often find managing money in a new language and place pretty challenging.

In the episode we talk with Max about some key moments that set the ground for a life around the world. I ask him about his first impressions of his new city, and what it’s like being the co-founder of Upworth. We also uncover how he quickly became a local expert in finance and home mortgage markets. Plus, we dive into the specific financial hurdles expats face and how to tackle them.

Tune in for an inspiring chat about making bold moves and planning for an exciting future!

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

Bonne écoute!

Contact Max

Episode Guide:

04:40 - Life Before Australia The experiences and background that shaped Max's journey until moving to Australia.

17:07 - Moving to Sydney and Building Upworth The challenges and triumphs of establishing Upworth in Sydney, highlighting key milestones.

19:16 - Financial Education and Opportunities for Newcomers in Australia The importance of financial literacy and the various opportunities available for newcomers to thrive.

25:40 - Exploring Investment Options Investigate different investment avenues in Australia, from real estate to stocks, and how to navigate them.

32:18 - Australia: A Land of Opportunities? Is Australia living up to its reputation as a land of opportunity, with insights on job markets and lifestyle.

44:01 - Max’s Definition of a Successful Life Max’s personal philosophy on what constitutes a successful life, reflecting on both personal and professional achievements.

In this episode, I have the pleasure of chatting with Olfa Hafsa, a naturopath, nutritionist, and counsellor who has called Brisbane home for the past 12 years. Olfa initially came to Australia as a consultant, drawn by the promise of the so-called Australian quality of life. Through her personal health journey, she developed a profound interest in alternative medicine and the impact of lifestyle choices on health.

In 2016, after four years in Australia, she made a leap of faith and transitioned careers to become a practitioner, focusing on nutrition, naturopathy, and counselling to help others achieve better health.

During our conversation, Olfa shares of course her Australian story with its highs and lows. We discuss candidly the effects of expatriation on both physical and mental well-being. Together we dive into the impact of a life far away from the motherland on our emotions and because it is all related, on our bodies.

We also talk about the wellness industry in Australia, our approach to it and how it compares to France. Finally, we take some time to reflect on the question many of us ponder regularly: should I stay or should I go?

Thank you, Olfa, for such an enlightening, emotional, and sincere conversation. I hope you all enjoy listening to it as much as I did.

This podcast was recorded on the lands of Meanjin, Brisbane and Naarm, Melbourne. We respectfully acknowledge the tradition of these lands the Jagera people and the Turrbal people, and the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people. We extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their Elders, past and present.

Contact Olfa:

Grounded Mind Therapies

contact@groundedmindtherapies.com

Follow Olfa on Instagram

Episode guide:

05:00 – Olfa’s Presentation Dive into Olfa’s background and the focus of her presentation.

08:15 – The Australian Dream Explore what drew Olfa to Australia and what made the country appealing to her.

10:20 – Olfa’s First Months in Australia A look at Olfa’s initial experiences during her early months in Australia.

15:20 – Career Transition: From Consultant to New Horizons Discover Olfa’s decision to pivot from a high-stress consulting career to a new professional path.

19:45 – Australia’s Role in the Wellbeing Industry Examine Australia’s leading position in the wellbeing sector compared to France.

24:00 – Olfa’s Path to Becoming a Practitioner Follow Olfa’s journey and the steps she took to establish herself as a practitioner.

26:25 – Migration’s Impact on Health Discuss how moving to a new country affects both mental and physical health.

32:10 – The French Community and Counselling in Your Native Language Explore how being part of the French community in Australia and receiving counselling in one’s native language can make a difference.

35:00 – Considering a Move Back to France Why Olfa is considering a move back to France in the near future and what does it mean for her career?

In this episode, we sit down with Jean-Pierre Chabrol, a digital media expert specialised in cultural institutions. Having spent two decades in Australia spearheading digital transformations at prestigious art organisations like the National Gallery of Victoria and the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia in Sydney, Jean-Pierre recently made a significant move back to France for a new chapter in his career and personal life.

Jean-Pierre shares candid reflections on his Australian journey, from arriving as a young family full of dreams to navigating the complexities of leading innovation in renowned cultural institutions. He recounts memorable moments and the challenges of bridging digital strategies with artistic vision.

Now back in Europe, Jean-Pierre discusses the fresh challenges and opportunities of starting anew, blending humour and philosophical insights into the intersections of life, art, and technology. Join us for an enlightening conversation as Jean-Pierre Chabrol shares his inspiring journey of cultural and personal transformation.

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the many lands on which we meet, work and live, and we pay our respects to Elders past and present - people who have told their stories on these lands for thousands of generations, and who continue to do so.

Welcome to today's episode, a special design edition for Melbourne Design Week 2024. We are joined by Mathilde Delatte, the founder and creative director of Belleville Studio in Melbourne. In this conversation, we explore Mathilde’s journey in Australia, which began with a dream and a lot of courage. We delve into the essence of French style, Mathilde’s perspective on the local design scene, and her insights on building a network as a creative professional in a saturated market.

Enjoy this conversation with Mathilde Delatte.

And if you are seeking a French touch in this year's Melbourne Design Week, don't miss the conversation with French marquetry artisan Arthur Seigneur, one half of the duo Adam and Arthur, in the "In Conversation with A&A" event at Tolarno Galleries on Saturday 25 May. Check Melbourne Design Week website for more info.

We acknowledge the traditional owners on the lands on which this podcast was record, the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Boon Wurrung Bunurong peoples of the eastern Kulin Nations . We pay our respect to their Edlers, past and present.