This recipe showcases three iconic products from Normandy: raw milk camembert, cider vinegar, and pears. Created by David Gallienne, the Michelin-starred chef of Le Jardin des Plumes in Giverny, it’s featured in his cookbook Nature, published by Solar in October 2021.
Find more information about Normandy, click here.

Ingredients
Method
- Heat the milk and cream with the chopped Camembert.
- Cook gently until the Camembert has melted. Blend the mixture and strain through a fine sieve.
- Pour into a siphon and refrigerate until completely cold. Once chilled, charge the siphon with two gas cartridges.
- Peel and dice the pears.
- In a saucepan, cook the pears with the cider vinegar over low heat until the mixture is dry and resembles a thick compote. Set aside to cool.
- Peel and quarter the pears. Combine with the hazelnut oil and cider vinegar, then marinate in the fridge for 2 hours.
- Slice the Camembert thinly and place on greaseproof paper.
- Microwave at maximum power for 3–4 minutes until crisp.
- Allow to cool, then reduce to a fine powder using a blender.
- Place a spoonful of pear compote in the centre of each plate.
- Top with a dome of Camembert siphon, then sprinkle with the Camembert powder.
- Garnish with marinated pear slices, watercress shoots, and garden herbs.
