Galette des Rois

One of our favorite things about this time of year in Paris is the celebration of Epiphany 12 days after Christmas when Christians remember the three wise men or kings who visited Jesus. All the boulangeries and patisseries in France sell Galettes des Rois or Kings' Cakes throughout the month of January to celebrate Epiphany and the New Year.
Traditionally they are made with many layers of puff pastry stuffed with frangipane. They are sold with a paper crown.

Galette des Rois and Paper Crown

We have had two galettes since arriving.  Kelly, Kate and I had a small one from the White Bakery last week.  Last night we had one with our neighbors, Sande and Jenny, who arrived on Tuesday.

Sande Cutting la Galette des Rois

Traditionally, you cut the entire cake and everyone gets a piece.  In one of the pieces is hidden a "fève," which was originally a fava bean, a symbol of fertility and the coming spring. It is now a porcelain figurine, usually of a saint, king or crown.

Our Fèves

The person who gets the fève in his slice is crowned the king or queen of the day and gets to wear the crown. The person who cuts the cake may happen on the fève as she cuts and so to make it fair, the youngest person goes under the table and calls out who gets each slice as the cake is cut. Kate was not so sure she wanted to get under the table but she was a good sport!

Climbing under the Table

Kate ended up giving me the slice with the fève and I got to wear the crown for the evening.

Meanwhile, while we were feasting on our Galette des Rois, Andrew was back at the fire station in Salt Lake working hard with his crew.  Below are some pictures that Trisha Thomas, one of the Salt Lake City dispatchers, took of Andrew and his crew at the fire station. Aren't they great?

Andrew and his Crew

Andrew and his Crew on the Quint

Salt Lake's Finest

We need Andrew to hurry and get to Paris to visit us.  But we appreciate how he is holding down the fort at home and taking care of things there for us.