Kit Kat Farmers of the Languedoc - 25 Aug 2016

PRESENTER: Now for our special extended presentation - "Kit Kat farmers of the Languedoc".

REPORTER: Here, in this region in the south of France, where the terroir is just right, farmers like Henri Corbusier, seen here with his pig Snuffy, fossick around their properties until they stumble on fully-fledged Kit Kats, or Quit Chats as they are known here.

 

MONSIEUR  CORBUSIER: Il peut les renifler d'un mile! Son schnozzle est tout simplement incroyable!
(He can sniff 'em a mile away! His nose is just incredible!)

REPORTER: But all is not well in the Languedoc.

MONSIEUR  CORBUSIER: Ces gens désagréables de Nestlé pensent qu'ils possèdent le Quit Chat! Nous les avons trouvés d'abord!

(Those nasty people from Nestle think they own them! We found them first!)

REPORTER: It is hard to keep up the family tradition of artisan produce, selling for 31 Euros a pop, when a giant global conglomerate is producing similar products in factories all around the world  at a fraction of the price . But Monsieur Corbusier argues his product is something special.

MONSIEUR  CORBUSIER : Depuis onze générations de ma famille est agriculteur ici. Pourquoi, même Napoléon lui-même avait un! Trente et un euros peut sembler beaucoup, mais comment vais-je acheter une nouvelle veste?   

(For 11 generations we've been farming here. Even Napoleon had one from here! 31 Euros seems a lot, but how else can I ever buy a new cardigan?)

REPORTER: Additionally, the Brexit vote has added to uncertainty about the Common Agricultural Policy, which subsidises the Difficile Quit Chats to the tune of 86 Euros each.

MONSIEUR  CORBUSIER : Le 'ashtag #Brexit! C'est stupido! UN POX!!! C'est GGGRRRRRR!!!! Le #$%^&&!!!!! L'angleterre c'est #@#$!!

(#Brexit! This is a highly emotional issue!) 

 

REPORTER: Whilst a single European market is still a reality, for now, the special EU Protected Source of Origin status protects Msr Corbusier. Just like Parma hams can only be produced in a single geographical region and purchased only at Jo and Bazza's on Blvd. Papa Guiseppi, the Languedoc Quit Chats are preserved and protected. For now, Henri and Snuffy plod along, searching for their prizes. But, for how much longer? This is Wilfred Escargot reporting.

 

PRESENTER: Next week's special reporting on regional French cuisine will cover Le Wagon Wheel. Remember, always eat Le Wagon Wheel.