Despite having a French name and a lifelong love of France, I have to confess that, like so many other Brits, my grasp of the French language leaves a considerable amount to be desired.

When in France, few things trouble people like myself more than how to make the most of the considerable culinary delights available in a country that prides itself on its excellent cuisine. The answer? Simple really. Thomas Harmsworth’s French-English Gastronomic Dictionary, the pocket-sized French Restaurant Menu Dictionary.

Published by the Thomas Harmsworth Publishing Company, the French-English Gastronomic Dictionary is an A6 size dictionary designed to comfortably fit into handbag or pocket so the traveller can easily translate any ingredient or menu item in an instant. Very few of us are able to read a French menu without a considerable degree of difficulty. That is where the Gastronomic Dictionary comes into its own.

Saint-amour, saint-honoré, saint-mandé, saint-paulin, saint-pierre. They all look vaguely similar, but since they are respectively a Beaujolais (Saint-amour), a cream pastry or patisserie (saint-honoré), a garnish made from peas or beans with potato (saint-mandé), a cow’s milk cheese (saint-paulin) and a fish (saint-pierre), you’d be rather disappointed if you ordered a bottle of saint-pierre to wash down your Saint-amour and your waiter brought you a fish in a bottle and a plate of Beaujolais!

This excellent little book won’t help you with your French pronunciation, but at least it will help you comfortably decipher any French menu and the be able to order what you want and to get what you ordered. It will certainly be in my pocket when my wife and I visit Le Mans for our annual pilgrimage next June.

And what if you are planning your next holiday not in France but in Spain, Portugal or Italy? Well Thomas Harmsworth Publishing have that covered too. They also publish a Spanish-English, Portuguese-English and Italian-English Gastronomic Dictionary just with you in mind.

These excellent and indespensible dictionaries are available from leading bookshops or from their website, www.gastronomicdictionary.com.

Bon Appétite!

Editor, Third Age.