Eva Longoria Goes All In on Butter and French Food as 'Searching for France' Arrives on BBC Two

Eva Longoria's new BBC Two series 'Searching for France' dives headfirst into the country's love affair with butter, opening in Paris with a lavish, butter-laden tour of French food that sees the actress tasting everything from an Asian-inspired croque madame to haute cuisine with Alain Ducasse.

The Desperate Housewives star fronts the documentary 'Eva Longoria: Searching for France', which began on BBC Two on Sunday evening with a culinary journey through the French capital.

Longoria's appetite takes her from a playful, Asian-inflected twist on the classic croque madame to an opulent encounter with legendary chef Alain Ducasse, as she discovers just how liberally butter can be used in French cooking. The result is a food adventure driven as much by Longoria's reactions as by the dishes themselves.

Longoria Starts Her French Food Adventure

The first episode, which aired on BBC Two at 7.15pm on 27 September, sees Longoria begin her journey in Paris, a city she has visited repeatedly during her acting career and which she describes as a home away from home.

This time, however, the actress is travelling to France for something more than work. As a confessed Francophile, she sets out to explore the country's food, history and culinary traditions while meeting the people shaping its modern restaurant scene.

Her Paris adventure takes her through both established traditions and newer culinary influences, including an Asian-inspired interpretation of the croque madame.

Then Comes the Butter

Butter quickly becomes one of the episode's unofficial stars. Longoria encounters the richer side of French cooking and learns that, in some kitchens, moderation is not a priority. The Guardian's review highlighted the show's recurring joke that virtually anything can apparently be improved with a few dozen cubes of butter.

The actress embraces the indulgence rather than avoiding it. Her enthusiasm turns the food into entertainment, with Longoria's reactions providing a lively counterpoint to the more formal traditions surrounding French gastronomy.

The focus on butter also reflects a wider exploration of regional French food. In an interview with CNN, Longoria discussed Brittany's international reputation for butter and her visit to Maison de Bordier, a renowned butter producer.

A Seat at Alain Ducasse's Table

Longoria also meets Alain Ducasse, one of France's most celebrated chefs, during her exploration of Parisian gastronomy. At Le Meurice, Ducasse's restaurant, she encounters the elaborate rituals surrounding the French 'art of the table'. The episode connects contemporary fine dining with traditions dating back to the era of Louis XIV and Versailles.

The meal itself shows how French cuisine can be theatrical as well as technically demanding, with Longoria experiencing dishes inspired by the dining culture associated with the French royal court.

Tradition Meets Modern Paris

The series is not simply an opportunity for Longoria to eat her way around France. It also looks at how the country's culinary identity is changing while remaining deeply connected to its traditions.

In Paris, she meets younger chefs who combine established French techniques with influences from other cultures. Among those featured are Mory Sacko and Hanz Gueco, representing a newer generation helping shape the city's food scene.

That contrast between tradition and innovation gives 'Searching for France' a broader purpose. Longoria is not merely sampling famous dishes; she is exploring why French food has remained such an influential part of the country's cultural identity.

A Very Buttery Introduction to France

For Longoria, the journey is as much about discovery as dining. Her willingness to try unfamiliar dishes, meet culinary figures and embrace France's rich cooking gives the programme its easy-going personality. If the opening episode establishes one thing, it is that viewers should expect plenty of food, with an especially generous helping of butter.

As 'Eva Longoria: Searching for France' begins its BBC Two run, the actress offers viewers a tour of French cuisine, from Parisian classics to modern interpretations and the chefs keeping the country's culinary traditions alive.