The logo of ARTOO, a culture and art organization established by French and Chinese couple Stephane Vouillaume and Sun Hongxue in 2008, sees two Os interlocked. The message is clear: it aims to bring the Occidental and the Oriental together.

With the organization's inaugural French Cuisine Week taking place in early June, the couple are promoting "French art de vivre," the French art of living, with an emphasis on the country's elegant art of table (L'art de la table a la francaise).

Vouillaume and Sun invited countess France de Heere to present salons on etiquette and dining culture, and wine expert Eric Goettelmann and Michelin One Star chef Luc Filoe to offer wine tasting and cooking workshops.

De Heere, an enthusiast of French history and cultural exchange, often holds salons in her 18th-century flat in Versailles to introduce refined social etiquette and table manners over afternoon tea and dinner.

Exquisite yet passionate

"I try to create an exquisite yet passionate vibe and establish a connection with my guests that is intimate and egalitarian," she said, adding that she wants to share the password to the often brought up phrase "so French."

Filoe, who grew up in Burgundy in a renowned chef family, said food and wine is part of his DNA. "While other kids played with their toy cars, I started to show a great interest in cooking," said Filoe, adding that his son is also a chef and has opened his own restaurant.

He believes the key to delicious food is not just cooking but quality ingredients, and takes pride in his restaurant's use of only fresh produce from Burgundy. Goettelmann, meanwhile, said his work is about encountering new tastes in wines.

"My job is to perceive and then share my feelings. I hope more people can become aware of how important a healthy diet is to a healthy life," he said.

Michelin One Star chef Luc Filoe and countess France de Heere were in Shanghai recently to give etiquette and cooking workshops. Photos: Courtesy of Zhuang Ling

Salon on etiquette

The Global Times attended one of de Heere's salons taking place in a historic Shanghai mansion. The all-female participants arranged the table under her guidance. De Heere gave thorough instructions on the functions of each utensil, how to sit properly and how to take food as well as how to have an elegant conversation during a dinner.

She voiced her opinion on the now-common use of mobile phones at meals, saying simply that they should be put away beforehand.

"It is very rude, suggesting that what you have on the phone is more important than the people around you. However, if you are waiting for a very important call, do tell your dinner mates beforehand so you can be excused," she said.

Sun told the Global Times that her biggest takeaway from the event was that she was able to befriend other local people who want to learn about French culture and want to live an artful life. She hopes more Shanghai locals can start to live the kind of elegant and simple lifestyle as she did in France.

"Even before we started the inaugural event, many suggested that it be developed into a more regular thing. With like-minded people we want to turn it into a long-term project connecting China and France," Sun said.

Michelin One Star chef Luc Filoe and countess France de Heere were in Shanghai recently to give etiquette and cooking workshops. Photos: Courtesy of Zhuang Ling

Michelin One Star chef Luc Filoe and countess France de Heere were in Shanghai recently to give etiquette and cooking workshops. Photos: Courtesy of Zhuang Ling