A day trip to a client in Paris. On the way back to the bus station we pass an Eric Kayser mini-shop and a city center Monoprix supermarket. Unfortunately, a glance at the displays is all that time allows.

The supermarket’s checkout area contains not only a remarkably wide range of fresh sushi but also a buffet counter with sandwich toppings. The selection includes various half-baguettes, classic, brown or made from brioche dough, with a choice of more or less lavish toppings to go with them. The less lavish costs EUR 2.90 and the very lavish is EUR 5.60. As the notice on the counter says, toasted sandwiches, quiches or pizzas are available for as little as EUR 2.10.

The approx. 26 cm diameter apricot tart with chopped pistachios, which admittedly looks quite delicious, costs EUR 34 at Kayser’s. Alongside is a similar one with mixed berries for EUR  44. The description on the price tag says it is sufficient for 8 servings. The fresh raspberry macaroon costs EUR 38, but is also enough for 6 persons.

A sandwich with a slice of turkey at Kayser’s will set you back EUR 7.20, but with a drink and a dessert it only costs EUR 3.50 more.

Disillusionment on the return flight with Air France: a bread roll with cream cheese and a mini-leaf salad is described on the back of the pack as a rye bread roll, although the ingredients list shows only wheat. The manufacturer of this rather tasteless consumer deception is Bergams, a company in Grigny, whose own announcement on the web site www.bergams.com says that although it was founded only in 2016, its proprietors claim they can look back on “a long tradition in the French snack business”.