The Mother-Daughter Duo Bringing French Cooking (and Joy) Home

A lot of people grow up watching their mom cook—I was lucky enough to be one of them. Even before I could reach the counter, I was trailing behind her in the kitchen, hoping to graduate from taste tester to mixer. And while I’ve since picked up tips from test kitchens, TikTok chefs, and a lot of Ina Garten, the core of my love for cooking will always come back to my mom.

That’s probably why I was so taken with Marjorie Taylor and Kendall Smith Franchini’s story. Their new cookbook, French at Heart, isn’t just a collection of classic French recipes, it’s a celebration of their shared life in food. The mother-daughter duo first made waves when they opened The Cook’s Atelier in 2008, a cooking school, culinary, and wine shop nestled in the heart of Beaune, France. Their classes now sell out months in advance, drawing guests from around the world. And yet, what makes their story stand out isn’t just the stunning Burgundy backdrop or their rustic tartines—it’s the relationship at the heart of it all.

“We have always been a very close mother-daughter duo and have encouraged, uplifted, and helped one another to build our dreams together,” Marjorie shared with me. Their journey from Phoenix, Arizona to provincial France isn’t just about culinary reinvention; it’s about building a life where everyday rituals, like lighting a candle at breakfast or setting the table with fresh flowers, are treated with the same reverence as a perfectly roasted chicken.

A Taste of French at Heart

French at Heart: Recipes That Bring France Home, which dropped in April, invites readers into the everyday rhythms of life in Burgundy, where eating well isn’t about extravagance, it’s more about being present. And according to Kendall, that mindset doesn’t require a plane ticket: “In today’s hectic and busy world, curating your own joy is worth the effort.”

Even the iconic filmmaker Nancy Meyers is a fan: “If you’ve ever dreamed of living in France or cooking in France—or even just eating in France—this gorgeous book can bring the dream to your very own kitchen.”

The book is packed with French classics that feel both romantic and doable: Tomato Tartines that rely on peak-season tomatoes, a cozy Chicken Fricassée with preserved artichokes, and rustic desserts like Olive Oil Cake or Boozy Cherries. Bonus: They offer measurements by both weight and volume, so wherever you fall on the home cook spectrum, you’re covered.

As someone who has timidly attempted French dishes before (mostly under Ina’s direction), I was struck by how approachable these recipes feel. The photography is dreamy, yes—but the instructions are genuinely helpful, and the spirit of the book is deeply warm and welcoming.

Building a Life Around the Table

What struck me most while hearing from Marjorie and Kendall was how intentional they are about creating space for joy, both in their business and in their homes.

“As a small family, we have always embraced the importance of mealtime,” they explained. “The kids set the table, help prepare the meal, when time permits, and we make the time around the table memorable. It gives us a chance to talk about the day and linger in conversation without distractions such as phones on the table.”

That same sense of slowness and presence spills over into their workshops, where guests don’t just learn to cook, they experience a lifestyle. “Guests are taking home more than just the recipes,” they said. “They’re taking home the notion of slowing down and enjoying those moments around the table with people they love.”

Extended Q&A With Marjorie & Kendall

Q: You write about the joy in everyday rituals and meals—how has sharing those with each other as mother and daughter shaped the way you experience family? And what do you hope readers take away from that?

A: As a small family, we have always embraced the importance of mealtime and make the added effort to
make sure that it is a moment that everyone can enjoy every day. During our personal meal times, it is a family affair. The kids set the table, help prepare the meal, when time permits, and we make the time around the table memorable. It gives us a chance to talk about the day and linger in conversation without distractions such as phones on the table.

Q: Marjorie, what has it meant to watch your daughter not only fall in love with your passion, but turn it into a shared life’s work? And Kendall, what’s something you’ve learned from your mother—about food, or about life—that’s become a guiding value in your own path?

Marjorie: For us, it was a natural evolution to eventually become business partners as we share the same vision for what we have built with The Cook’s Atelier. We are very proud of how we began and how far it has come and where it is going. I like to say that Kendall’s dream was big enough that she let me come with her.

Kendall: As a young kid, I always remember my mom putting a lot of emphasis on details. Even though I grew up in a modest home, she always made a point to make it special. Whether it was sharing a simple, but delicious meal around the table, lighting candles in the morning or adding fresh flowers around the house. Finding beauty in the everyday became a natural part of my growing up and I now share those principles with my own family. We share those principles with our guests too. In today’s hectic and busy world, curating your own joy is worth the effort.

Want to cook like a French local this summer?

Grab a copy of French at Heart and try your hand at breezy recipes and consider lighting a candle while you’re at it.
In the spirit of slowing down and savoring a simple, seasonal meal, they’ve shared their Chicken Fricassée with Artichokes recipe with us below. This recipe stood out to me and seems to be French comfort food at its best.