Coastal kitchen secrets: ghia founder shares recipes for effortless summer

The scent of sunscreen and freshly cut grass is officially in the air – summer’s truly arrived. But beyond the beach days and iced drinks, a new wave of culinary inspiration is bubbling up from the French Riviera.

Melanie masarin’s ‘riviera’ cookbook promises a simple, seasonal approach

Ghia founder Melanie Masarin has unveiled her debut cookbook, ‘Riviera,’ a collection of recipes rooted in her childhood memories of family kitchens overflowing with flavor. Forget fussy techniques and sprawling pantries; Masarin’s approach champions the beauty of simple ingredients – olive oil, flaky salt, herbs, garlic – and a genuine connection to the season.

“It’s about capturing that feeling of openness and generosity,” Masarin explains. “My grandmother’s kitchen was always a refuge, a place where neighbors and friends gathered, sharing food and stories. That’s the spirit I’ve tried to distill into these recipes.”

The book, born from lockdown cooking sessions and a desire to share her grandmother’s legacy, offers accessible dishes like tomato tarts and seared scallops, proving that impressive meals don’t require a Michelin-starred kitchen. Masarin stresses, “You really don’t need a big, well-stocked pantry. Most of these recipes come down to good olive oil, flaky salt, fresh herbs, garlic, and a good attitude.”

From fig and yogurt cake – a nostalgic riff on a classic – to vibrant French minestrone, ‘Riviera’ is less a rigid set of instructions and more an invitation to adapt and improvise. “Cook with what’s in season, and let recipes adapt to your life,” Masarin advises, highlighting the importance of embracing spontaneity in the kitchen. It’s a refreshing take on summer cooking, prioritizing joy and connection over elaborate presentations.

Forget complicated preparations; Masarin's philosophy is refreshingly straightforward: a little bit of sunshine, a generous dose of good ingredients, and a whole lot of heart. And in a world obsessed with perfection, that’s a recipe for true summer bliss.