Paola Westbeek is a distinguished journalist and culinary storyteller with a deep appreciation for gastronomy, fine wines, culture, and art. Her extensive portfolio spans a variety of prestigious publications, including KLM’s inflight magazine Holland Herald, Reader’s Digest, FRANCE Magazine, En Route, Culture, Leven in Frankrijk, Global Drinks, and the renowned Dutch gastronomy journal Bouillon. Especially known for her insightful exploration of the culinary and viticultural landscapes of France, her curiosity and expertise extend far beyond the borders of the French hexagon. She has tasted her way through Europe, interviewing chefs, (including the renowned Jacques Pépin), visiting vineyards and reviewing restaurants. Her wine musings have appeared in Inside Rotterdam, FRANCE Magazine, Bouillon, and Family Owned. She is a recipe developer for renowned Dutch vegan chef, Joris Schildknecht of The Vegan Academy.

Originally from the United States, Paola has divided her time between the Netherlands and France since 1997. A graduate of Leiden University, where she specialized in Dutch language, culture, and Golden Age art, she also studied at the School of Journalism in Utrecht. As an art connoisseur, she has written about everything from Dutch and French painting to architecture. She is a journalist for the distinguished Michelangelo Foundation.

Her profound understanding of Dutch history and culture informs her work as editor-in-chief of DUTCH, the only North American magazine dedicated to the Netherlands; sub-editor, journalist, and translator for Inside Rotterdam; and previous work as editor-in-chief of the high-end inflight publication Discover Benelux.

Paola’s journalistic versatility is evident in her diverse contributions. From 2015 to 2023, she was a culinary columnist for En Route, writing about French food history, and she has contributed travel articles, lifestyle pieces, columns, and restaurant reviews to FRANCE Magazine and French Property News. As Food & Drinks Editor for Reader’s Digest UK, she showcases her ability to create content that is both engaging and informative. A talented recipe developer, Paola has created over 350 recipes for the Dutch women’s weekly Vriendin and collaborated with international food and drink companies on recipes and videos. Her Substack newsletter, The French Life, further reflects her passion for French cuisine, wine, art, and travel, connecting her to a global audience of culinary, wine, and cultural enthusiasts. Paola is also a skilled translator, specializing in Dutch-to-English (US/UK) translations. Her clients include leading publishing houses such as Kosmos, Dutch newspaper Het Parool, and the esteemed publication The Low Countries.

Through her extensive contributions, Paola Westbeek has established herself as a prominent voice in food, wine, and travel journalism.

For more information and to see a list of clients and publications Paola Westbeek has collaborated with, please refer to her LinkedIn profile. A small selection of her writings on France can be found in her portfolio. For additional work, visit this page.

For samples of her food and recipe writing and styling, explore her ‘The French Life Cookalong’ booklets (Cookalong v2 and Cookalong 2), featuring designs by her husband, Hans Westbeek. Paola has also authored six books:

• Le Goûter: Afternoon Snacking the French Way
• My Heart’s Home: Memories and Recipes of France
• Dishing it Up: Twenty Icons of French Food & Drink
• My Winter Kitchen: Warming Recipes for the Coldest Months
• Market Fresh Cooking: A Taste of the French Countryside
• Plant-Based Eating With Joie de Vivre