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Before Barbecue

Before Barbecue
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Many you have asked how Steven got his start in barbecue. Well, the story goes back much further than that. Believe it or not, Steven has a classical French culinary background. And it all began with this woman–Anne Willan–in 1975. Anne was the founder of the La Varenne cooking school in Paris, where Steven both studied and worked in the 1970s. Anne has written dozens of amazing books, including Great Chefs (a history of cooking) and the gorgeous Country Cooking of France.

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For many years, Anne and her husband Mark lived and worked in the 17th century Chateau du Faye in Burgundy, France. Here are Steven and Barbara on their last visit.