The Social Food, a creative and gourmet tandem
A duo in the city as well as on stage, Shirley Garrier and Mathieu Zouhairi are undoubtedly the most fashionable epicureans in Paris this summer. After the success of their first book published last November – a recipe book with a refined aesthetic that reflects their mixed origins (Vietnamese for Shirley, Moroccan for Mathieu) – the photographic couple took over the Merci concept-store in May. Whether in their book or through their selection of accessories exhibited at Merci, the globe-trotting duo reaffirms their taste for travel on the plate.
In their elegant transparent KnIndustrie made in Italy pans, or thanks to a typical Mexican tortilla press, they cook sometimes comforting “pici al ragù”, sometimes tasty tacos with “puerco en adobo”. Not to mention the many nods to their roots, whose secrets they share on their Instagram account (followed by more than 160,000 foodies): Moroccan “harira” from Mathieu’s mom, “canh khô qua” from Shirley’s great-grandmother or “bánh mì” with sardines from the latter’s mother.
Their latest summer folly? Téa Gelato, a small stand next to Merci, where they made sumptuous Italian-style ice creams whose flavors changed every weekend. While waiting for their next project, we can buy their bottles of “matshi sauce”, in limited quantities because they are produced in an artisanal way: in the bottles with a sharp design, spicy sauces that they themselves describe as “fire candy”. A fire that is not about to be extinguished among gourmets.
by Delphine Lefeuvre