European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - June 28, 2007, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 26 stars and stripes june 2007 Melon madness i like the he gesturing to give the notion of a woman breast i like the Orange the color of the fire burning inside of me the color of the the color of chef Jeanjacques Prevot French variety inspires passion by Leah Larkin special to stars and stripes chef Jeanjacques Prevot is mad about he Fries and sauces the Juicy Orange he makes a Des donuts and Candy from he even squeezes Melon seeds to make a Vinaigrette not just any his passion is the famed Avail Lon Melon named for the town in the Melon capital of where Prevot has a restaurant bearing his name and known for its Melon the Jovial Prevot has been cooking with melons since he likens the two colors to an artist and a and considers himself in addition to he paints and a massive collection of Melon items including paintings using Melon syrup decorate the restaurant Melon Salt and Pepper clocks and shelf after shelf is filled with Melon treasures he has collected through the prevots restaurant features a five course Melon menu with such treats As Melon wrapped in pastry with lobster minestrone and roasted Melon pearls with tender prawns in a Vanilla and spice cooking with he is a in always trying new he that what makes it interest Prevot is not the Only Davaillon resident profiting from the towns Premier numer Ous shops offer Melon from jams to pastry treats to these Are no Normal they were introduced to the area in the 14th Century by the who lived in nearby Back in Italy they enjoyed melons from a Small town where they had a summer Resi photos by Leah special to stars and stripes Melon slices Are ready for an official tasting session conducted by the Syndicate of master Melon England f j in Bush i stars and stripes Dence and from whence the name Cantaloupe the Popes had the precious Melon seeds planted in where they grew and flourished in the Strong summer the municipal archives of Davaillon record that dignitaries who visited the town in the 17th and 18th centuries were presented with gifts of in the Davaillon Library asked writer Alexander Dumas to donate some 400 volumes of his work to the he com go Melon testers rate the fruit on flavor and plied on one condition that he be Given a dozen melons every until his death in the author received his melons linked with the name Davaillon Are Chare Tais a european what americans Call cantaloupes Are Muskmelon and not As Sweet As the prize today Davaillon basks in the glory of its elegant which is honoured during a three Day Melon festival every the town tourist office organizes Melon discovery Days with visits to nearby the knights of the order of the Melon promote the precious and the Syndicate of master Melon grow ers protects the see Page 27 Davaillon melons Are at their Best in july and melons have a High water which makes them Low in the deeper the Orange of the the More carotene the Melon will Trust your nose when select ing a Melon this applies to All not just those called a Ripe Melon should be it should also be a slight crack at the Stem end indicates if part of the Stem remains and is ready to break off this also Means the Melon is this years Melon festival in with contests and takes place july find More information on the fest As Well As the City at prices at the restaurant Preidt Range from euros for three courses to 70 euros for a five course Melon for Telephone 0 or see its web Leah Larkin