The LEAP Ambassadors recently took part in a cultural and culinary journey to France at the World Affairs Council of Greater Houston’s latest Culinary Passport event. Held at Alliance Française de Houston, which has proudly served the region for more than 100 years, the event featured an array of French delicacies including ham and cheese croissants, charcuterie boards, crepes, and a delightful assortment of fruits and macarons.
The event kicked off with an introduction by Jahan Jafarpour, leading into the evening’s highlight: a conversation with Valérie Baraban, Consul General of France in Houston.
With a background in NATO and France’s counterterrorism task force, Baraban’s path to Texas was unexpected. After years of diplomatic work, she sought a new challenge and chose Texas, despite knowing little about the state. She admitted that the media had shaped her perception of Texas, but after taking a leap of faith, she discovered that Texas — and especially Houston — had won her over with its diversity, energy, and warmth.
Baraban emphasized the surprising depth of France’s connections to Texas. For instance, two French brothers founded Schlumberger, a major oil and gas company that operates in Houston and across the United States. This highlights the longstanding economic ties between the two regions. Additionally, she touched on France’s forward-thinking initiatives in space exploration and hinted at Houston’s potential role in helping France develop new ways to approach space research.
A fun historical tidbit Baraban shared was that France was the first country to recognize Texas as an independent nation. In fact, there’s a landmark in Paris that reads, “Here was the former embassy of the Republic of Texas,” a reminder of the deep diplomatic ties between the two (see also: French Legation).
The evening also touched on the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Baraban spoke about how global events like the Olympics foster unity and how they align with the Culinary Passport series’ mission to bring people together through food and cultural exchange.
For the LEAP Ambassadors, the evening was a delightful blend of French flavors and fascinating insights into the ties between France and Texas, spanning from oil and space to shared history and diplomacy. We enjoyed interacting with new friends and engaging with the World Affairs Council staff, making for a fun and memorable night.
