Lost in translation? French President Macron calls Australian leader's wife 'delicious'

Was it a Freudian slip by French President Emmanuel Macron? A joke linked to French gastronomy? Or even, a week after his visit to Washington, a parody of President Donald Trump's infamous comments about Mr Macron's wife?

Whatever the case, Mr Macron raised eyebrows in Sydney on Wednesday by calling Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's wife "delicious".

Wrapping up a joint news conference during his brief Australian visit, Mr Macron moved to thank the Turnbulls for their hospitality.

"I want to thank you for your welcome, thank you and your delicious wife for your warm welcome," he said.

The comment quickly sparked some lighthearted reaction on social media and in the Australian press amid lively conjecture about the French leader's intent.

"Macron just said he wanted to thank Malcolm Turnbull and his 'delicious wife'. You can take the man out of France but...," tweeted Alice Workman, a journalist.

Australian ABC News tweeted: "Lost in translation: Emmanuel Macron thanks the PM's 'delicious wife"'.

_______________

Inside Trump's glamorous double date with the Macrons - in pictures

______________

Despite Mr Macron's deadpan delivery, some observers felt he may have been making a joke. Mr Turnbull had just mentioned Mr Macron's imminent lunch with members of Sydney's French community, and had followed with comments about French gastronomy and wine.

Pardoning generalisations about the French obsession with food, Mr Macron minutes earlier had also been talking about shrimp, picking up on Mr Turnbull's comment relating to China's growing influence in the South Pacific, when the Australian leader said that "big fish cannot eat little fish, and little fish cannot eat shrimp".

Others felt Mr Macron may simply have slipped up in his use of English, since the French word for delicious — delicieux — also translates as "delightful".

The more mischievous may have even considered Mr Macron's comment to possibly be a tongue-in-cheek reference to Mr Trump's visit to Paris last year, when he was caught telling Mr Macron's wife, Brigitte, that she was "in such great shape", before looking to her husband and saying, "Beautiful".

In any case, the moment made headlines in Australia as a somewhat comedic ending to a serious news conference focusing on violent May Day protests in Paris, the Iran nuclear deal and China's growing influence.

BOSH!'s pantry essentials

Nutritional yeast

This is Firth's pick and an ingredient he says, "gives you an instant cheesy flavour". He advises making your own cream cheese with it or simply using it to whip up a mac and cheese or wholesome lasagne. It's available in organic and specialist grocery stores across the UAE.

Seeds

"We've got a big jar of mixed seeds in our kitchen," Theasby explains. "That's what you use to make a bolognese or pie or salad: just grab a handful of seeds and sprinkle them over the top. It's a really good way to make sure you're getting your omegas."

Umami flavours

"I could say soya sauce, but I'll say all umami-makers and have them in the same batch," says Firth. He suggests having items such as Marmite, balsamic vinegar and other general, dark, umami-tasting products in your cupboard "to make your bolognese a little bit more 'umptious'".

Onions and garlic

"If you've got them, you can cook basically anything from that base," says Theasby. "These ingredients are so prevalent in every world cuisine and if you've got them in your cupboard, then you know you've got the foundation of a really nice meal."

Your grain of choice

Whether rice, quinoa, pasta or buckwheat, Firth advises always having a stock of your favourite grains in the cupboard. "That you, you have an instant meal and all you have to do is just chuck a bit of veg in."

Summer special

How to help

Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200

Heather, the Totality
Matthew Weiner,
Canongate