Arriving in New York with a repertoire of French recipes and techniques, Jacques joined the team at Howard Johnson to learn about American food. Today, he shares his expansive knowledge of that cookery, combining it with his traditional French training. Starting with a simple seafood salad, packed with a smorgasbord of marine favorites, then, continuing with the fish theme, making a spicy shrimp with cocktail sauce. He follows with some crispy, Creole-inspired blackfish beignets with spicy sauce, perfect for any brunch or light supper menu.

Jacques and daughter Claudine reminiscence about past menus enjoyed as a family, but first, Jacques teaches Claudine how to properly sharpen a knife in preparation for filleting a side of salmon for his salmon scaloppini with sorrel sauce. Jacques and Claudine go on to blend aromatic herbs, chunky vegetables and a dash of red wine to make a hearty dish of lamb breast navarin. While the lamb is braising, the two 'go green' with a green salad with mustard dressing using Jacques' favorite leaf: Boston lettuce. Finally, they prepare a caffeine-packed coffee panna cotta, the perfect pick-me-up dessert.