There is a world of difference between “living to eat” and “eating to live.” One is done purely for sustenance, and the other is done for the joy of eating an excellent meal, perhaps paired with a fine wine and good company. All too often, Americans find themselves eating to live, whether it’s grabbing a quick bite to eat on the go or eating a sandwich at their desk as part of a working lunch. Those rare occasions when consumers can actually take the time to enjoy their meal deserve something a little out of the ordinary. For more than 30 years, D’Artagnan has provided gourmet meats that help turn a meal into a special occasion.
Fine food has been a part of Ariane Daguin, D’Artagnan’s founder, almost since birth. Her father, André Daguin, is one of France’s most acclaimed chefs and an acclaimed master at foie gras, which is made from duck liver. By the age of 10, Ariane knew how to debone ducks, render duck fat, prepare terrines and cook game birds. When she became an adult, she came to the United States and, after a stint at a pâté producer, launched her own company, bring a little bit of her rural French background to her new home.