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While Chef Ip presents the table with a simple but delicious Salade Niçoise, followed by a finely wrought apple tart, Mr. Pépin turns his attention to the question of France’s diminished influence in the culinary and automotive worlds.

“He was in wonderful spirits and had wonderful energy. For lunch he made the most delicious salade niçoise I’ve ever had. And he did it in a methodical way.”

Olives at a cafe in St. Tropez, a salade Nicoise overlooking the beach at Nice . . . who needs to travel?

Martin Schappeit of Forest, Va., made a salade niçoise and paired it with the Wölffer, which he said, “joined the party like a fruit cocktail in an orange swimsuit” — not a compliment.

You could go with something classically Mediterranean, a salade niçoise, for example, hummus and other dips, or maybe some sautéed fish.