It doesn\u2019t take many trips to Paris to realize that France is a meat-lover\u2019s dream. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

But if you\u2019re looking for something more adventurous than just steak frites<\/em>, then one of the most famous French foods<\/a> to try is foie gras, and arguably nobody does it better than Arnaud Nicolas<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Meilleur Ouvrier de France<\/em> and now head of his own eponymous restaurant, Arnaud has elevated traditional p\u00e2t\u00e9 and terrines, which were once considered peasant food, to what he calls \u201cGastronomic Charcuterie.\u201d This means serving up foie gras and p\u00e2t\u00e9 en cro\u00fbte <\/em>(p\u00e2t\u00e9 in a crust) in a thoroughly modern and stylish setting. In fact, his products are so good that Alain Ducasse<\/a> himself is a fan.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

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Photo Credit: Anne-Emmanuelle Thion<\/a>, Text Overlay: Devour Paris Food Tours<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So what\u2019s a Meilleur Ouvrier de France?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The literal translation is Best Craftsperson of France<\/em>, and it\u2019s commonly abbreviated to M.O.F. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Meilleur Ouvrier de France<\/a><\/em> competition is held every three or four years to find the country\u2019s best artisan in their field. The title is often associated with chefs: Jo\u00ebl Robuchon, Paul Bocuse and Michel Roux are just some of the culinary geniuses who have been given the title. However, the competition is open to applications from a variety of industries, from glassblowing to hairdressing.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those who wish to enter must first register and then complete a number of tasks over a two-year period, often including a master work in their respective field. Next, candidates who reach the required score are awarded the title, which they will hold for life.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want to know how to spot a M.O.F. whilst you\u2019re out and about eating in Paris, look at the chef\u2019s shirt collar. Instead of the usual plain chef whites, a M.O.F. will have a striped blue, white, and red collar, which of course are the colors of France. The abbreviation M.O.F., or the words Meilleur Ouvrier de France<\/em>, will often also be on the signage of a shop or restaurant, so if you see it, you know they\u2019re cooking up something good!\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n