I really like sandwiches. So much so that I spend inordinate amounts of time scouring Pinterest for delicious flavor combinations that I’m unlikely to find in France. As much as the French enjoy their robust sandwiches, which brim with ham and cheese or chicken doused in mayo- there’s little invention or variety. What has the potential to be a nourishing, inexpensive meal generally ends up costly, heavy and mediocre. Save for a handful of overpriced to-go places (Cojean, Noon, etc), and some fast casual lunch spots, the focus here just isn’t on healthy sammies.
Tiffany Iung saw potential in the market and launched Tifamade in 2010, a catering business that merges her two great loves – feeding people and riding her bike. Beyond the market-driven sandwich menu, she offers quiches and salads chock full of veggies and a delicious selection of cakes. I experienced my first Tifamade meal at the Kinfolk Magazine picnic Tiffany hosted with Rubi Jones at the end of the summer and I knew she would become my go-to sandwich gal. If you spot a pink bicycle with a vintage suitcase secured to the back, give Tiffany a wave! Here, she talks favorite snacks and getting lost in Paris.
Tiffany Iung saw potential in the market and launched Tifamade in 2010, a catering business that merges her two great loves – feeding people and riding her bike. Beyond the market-driven sandwich menu, she offers quiches and salads chock full of veggies and a delicious selection of cakes. I experienced my first Tifamade meal at the Kinfolk Magazine picnic Tiffany hosted with Rubi Jones at the end of the summer and I knew she would become my go-to sandwich gal. If you spot a pink bicycle with a vintage suitcase secured to the back, give Tiffany a wave! Here, she talks favorite snacks and getting lost in Paris.
Describe what you love about France in three words.
Savoring every meal (or taking time to eat–but that’s four words!)
Hardest part about getting established as a small business owner in Paris?
I think maybe it’s self-imposed, but I feel like I’m always asking myself, “what can I offer to the legendary world of French food?”but I think we’re all looking for something new all the time, so hopefully the American-style food I’m making can find its place in France.
Crazy bike man in front of Le Pick Clops
Your regular haunt for a drink and a snack?
I love ordering a demi and getting fresh-popped popcorn in a plastic bowl at Le Pick Clops in le Marais. There’s always good people watching on the tiny terrace. One of my first jobs was at the movie theatre, so salty popcorn reminds me of home.
Favorite day trip outside of the city?
It’s not really outside of the city, but I like riding my bike to Bois de Vincennes then out and around the river Marne. There’s so much interesting stuff to see out there and I like to make a stop at one of my favorite thrift stores before doing my site-seeing. The forest is lovely, and when you come back into Paris along the river you can kind of forget for a while that you are headed into the city. Plus, there’s the Chinagora which is one my favorite non-tourist attractions in Paris. 
Les Boules at Bois de Viincennes
Most frustrating or amusing interaction with the French?
One night (late, and ok, there were some beers involved), I accidentally took a bus to CDG airport, thinking it was one of the bus noctilien. I asked the ticket-taker if they were headed to Place Charles de Gaulle, and he apparently thought I meant the airport CDG. I guess I should have figured out something was wrong when people were getting on with their suitcases. When we got to the airport I was in tears and the ticket-taker sat down next to me, propped his feet up, and lit a cigarette. We talked about life until the driver got us back to Paris. It turned out to be a really funny experience once the ticket-taker made me realize there was pas de souci in what I had done, even though I had failed myself in trying to speak French.
***
See? Sometimes getting lost makes for some of the most memorable adventures. Thanks, T! Tiffany’s sandwiches would make the perfect meal for a Paris picnic! Get in touch with her to place an order and follow her food adventures across the city on Facebookand Twitter: @Tifamade.
{Photos: Tiffany Iung; portrait by François Coquerel, baguette photo by Meg Gagnard}
{Photos: Tiffany Iung; portrait by François Coquerel, baguette photo by Meg Gagnard}
