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Culinary Adventure in Rural France

Highlights

  • Master French cooking with professional French chef with 35 years experience
  • Luxury ensuite accommodation set in idyllic rural France
  • Farm to table with extensive gardens to provide ingredients
From £3974 pp
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5 Nights

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What you'll do

Overview

Discover the beauty of rural French countryside and learn the art of gourmet French cuisine with a world-renowned chef!

Each day you will experiment with new flavours and techniques in small groups with expert guidance and individual attention.

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Discover the beauty of rural French countryside and learn the art of gourmet French cuisine with a world-renowned chef!

Each day you will experiment with new flavours and techniques in small groups with expert guidance and individual attention.

2026 Dates:
6th – 11th March
13th – 18th March
22nd – 27th May
5th – 10th June
19th – 24th June
3rd – 8th July
21st – 26th August
18th – 23rd September
25th – 30th September

Our cooking holidays are designed to provide an immersive culinary experience set in the picturesque French countryside.

From the moment you join our cooking holiday, you will be transported into a world of flavours, techniques, and cultural exploration. Our aim is to not only teach you the art of cooking but also to create an atmosphere where you can truly savour the beauty of the culinary journey.

During our cooking classes, we cover a wide range of topics and skills, ensuring a comprehensive learning experience. From mastering basic culinary techniques to delving into advanced cooking methods, our courses are tailored to accommodate all skill levels.

We believe that learning should be interactive and hands-on, which is why we keep our class sizes small. This allows for personalized attention from our expert chef, ensuring that you receive guidance and feedback throughout your culinary adventure.

We understand that the ambiance plays a significant role in the overall experience and we create a warm and inviting environment where you can unleash your creativity, surrounded by like-minded individuals who share your passion for food.

Your host chef Eric brings a lively and animated approach to his classes ensuring that course is enjoyable and fun, making for a memorable experience.

In essence, our cookery holidays are designed to ignite your culinary curiosity, enhance your skills, and provide an unforgettable gastronomic adventure. Get ready to embark on a journey of flavours, aromas, and cultural exploration!

During your time you will shop at the market and explore a working dairy farm to learn about sustainable sheep’s milk cheeses and yogurts.

Please note the daily menus described may vary slightly.

 

Arrival Day

Arrive at Laval Train Station at around 15:30 for your transfer to the venue.

Sip your complimentary champagne and get settled into your beautiful surroundings whilst you meet and get to know your host and fellow guests.

17:00: Introductory talk with complimentary champagne and canapés. The talk will discuss the aims and course structure.

18.00: 6-course gourmet dinner

 

Menu:

Celeriac velouté scented with truffle

Seared scallops, cauliflower purée with a pistachio dressing

Sorbet

Duck leg confit, cider and apple sauce, Duchess potato

Cheese

Chocolate and passion fruit bavarois

Tea and coffee

 

 

 

Market and knife skills

8.45 Breakfast (to include fresh croissants, breads and preserves, orange juice, local apple juice, yogurts, tea and coffee.)

9.15 Off to Laval’s market for shopping and sightseeing.

12.00 Return to the Farmhouse, we will break for lunch and feast on our treasures and fresh soup
(Seasoning Techniques How to bring the best out of your ingredients)

14.00 Kitchen – We will begin the course and our journey in the kitchen with hands on experience and demonstrations preparing for dinner.

Welcome, explore kitchen/equipment etc…Basic knife skills; care of knives, safety, sharpening, chop and slice onion, brunoise of carrot, julienne of leek..

Demonstration/hands-on:
Soufflé mise en place, ratatouille. Crêpes mix, orange sauce.
Salmon gravadlax. Beurre blanc.

16.30 Finish

17.00 Aperitifs and nibbles

17.30 Back in the kitchen to finish prep

18.00 Dinner

 

Menu:

Three-cheese soufflé

Sorbet

Seared salmon filet, ratatouille and a traditional beurre blanc

Cheese

Crêpes suzette flambées

Tea and coffee

Cooking Masterclass

8.45 Breakfast

9.15 Menu Explanation
Kitchen: Demonstration / hands-on
Bread/ brioche making. Crème brûlée, ice cream.
Chicken butchery: marinated filet, stuffed chicken ballotine confit drumstick and crispy skin. Boeuf bourguignon.
Chicken stock, (white & brown), veal glace, fish stock

13.00 Lunch: Charcuterie, fresh bread and salad, followed by cheese

14.00 Demonstration / Hands-on:  Onion soup, scallop in shell lutée, béarnaise mise en place, fondant potato, caramelised carrot, smoked pumpkin purée. Brandy snap basket, caramel cages.

16.30 Finish

17.00 Aperitifs and nibbles

17.30 Back in the kitchen to finish preparation

18.00 Dinner

 

Menu:

French onion soup

Scallop in her shell lutée, leek julienne

Sorbet

Chicken Medley,  smoked pumpkin purée and a béarnaise sauce

Cheese

Lemon verbena crème brûlée, chilli and coconut ice cream

Tea and coffee

Making Tortellini & Sheep Farm Trip With Cheese Tasting

8.45 Breakfast

9.15 Menu Explanation
Demonstration /  hands-on : Pasta dough, Foie gras tortelli.
Boeuf bourguignon to finish, potato gratin.
Cheesecake in a chocolate teardrop, Chocolate and earl grey tea ice cream. Sweet pastry, Apricot sorbet.

13.00 Lunch: Tagliatelle with a bacon, tomato and onion sauce, followed by cheese and homemade bread

14.00 Excursion –  Visit to a local sustainable sheep farm that produce cheeses and yogurt.

17.00 Aperitifs and nibbles

17.30 Back in the kitchen to finish preparation

18.00 Dinner

 

Menu:

Foie gras tortelli, pea purée and truffle foam

Sorbet

Boeuf Bourguignon, gratin dauphinois

Cheese

Coffee and baileys cheesecake in a chocolate teardrop, Chocolate and earl grey tea ice cream

Tea and coffee

Dinner Party Challenge

8.45 Breakfast

9.15 Menu Explanation, menu planning for dinner party.

You are the chef! As a team you will prepare dinner, from designing your plate to presenting dinner.
Hands-on : Challenge of the day
Béchamel sauce and croque monsieur
Snail Bonbon, garlic purée. Salmon gravadlax.
Almond cream and pear tart.

13.00 Lunch: Croque monsieur/ madame with green lettuce

14.00 Excursion and shopping in Vitré, medieval town and chateau

17.00 Aperitifs and nibbles

17.30 Back in the kitchen to finish preparation

18.00 Dinner

 

Menu:

Salmon gravadlax scented with beetroot

Smoked snail bonbon, garlic purée, arugula oil

Sorbet

Challenge of the DAY
Your dish and design (team work)

Cheese

Pear and almond tart, apricot & rosemary sorbet

Tea and coffee

 

Departure

Enjoy your final breakfast and then say your farewells.

You will depart full of pride for your achievements and excited to bring your new skills, recipes and techniques to your home kitchen for your friends and family.

Departure before midday.

For an included transfer from your accommodation back to Laval Train station the transfer will depart at 8.45am.

 

 

What's included

Included

  • Transport from Laval train station
  • 5 night ensuite accommodation
  • Champagne and canape reception
  • All food including 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 5 dinners
  • Water, tea and coffee all day
  • All equipment needed
  • A Six Course Gourmet Dinner Prepared by Chef Duvin
  • A visit to the Market in Laval
  • A Visit to a Sustainable Sheep Farm
  • Recipe folder to take home
  • Certificate
  • Free time and exploration in Vitré, the "1000 Year Old City"

Accommodation

Farmhouse

Stay in a “traditional longère”, a renovated farmhouse, set in the heart of tranquil rural France.

The farmhouse where you will be cooking is surrounded by gardens where the majority of the kitchen produce is grown.

The property has a professionally equipped kitchen located on the ground floor of the farmhouse and has been exclusively designed for culinary holidays. There is a spacious lounge area with log fire.

Depending on availability you will either stay at:
The Farmhouse (there are two rooms at the Farmhouse both of which can accommodate 2 people maximum). Both include: ensuite shower, twin beds (which can be made into a double bed), complimentary WiFi plus tea and coffee).
or
At a local guest house located in the village where complimentary daily round-trip transfers to/from our the guest house to the farmhouse will be provided. The ride is just 10 minutes through the village and picturesque countryside.

Your local host

Eric

From intimate meals to elaborate celebrations, Chef Eric has been providing luxury dining experiences for an array of guests over more than 2 decades.

We provide extensive time in our state-of-the-art kitchens, and set a maximum of 6 guests per chef. This dedicated attention is a rare value.

Eric’s passion for food and sharing his vast culinary knowledge and skills with others is what sets his gourmet cooking holidays apart from any other.Eric’s style of teaching is professional, yet supportive, relaxed and focused on having fun in the kitchen. His goal is to create an atmosphere that is educational, while still being a relaxing retreat for our guests.

One of the keys to success for our courses is the ded... Read All

From intimate meals to elaborate celebrations, Chef Eric has been providing luxury dining experiences for an array of guests over more than 2 decades.

We provide extensive time in our state-of-the-art kitchens, and set a maximum of 6 guests per chef. This dedicated attention is a rare value.

Eric’s passion for food and sharing his vast culinary knowledge and skills with others is what sets his gourmet cooking holidays apart from any other.Eric’s style of teaching is professional, yet supportive, relaxed and focused on having fun in the kitchen. His goal is to create an atmosphere that is educational, while still being a relaxing retreat for our guests.

One of the keys to success for our courses is the dedication we have to quality. Whether that be your stunning accommodation while you stay with us, or the exquisite produce we grow in the garden and use in our lessons.

 

Eric image

Location

You will stay in idyllic rural France in Mayenne, close to the Loire Valley.

You will stay in a lovingly renovated farm house which provides a comfortable and luxurious haven for guests seeking a relaxing getaway in the heart of rural France.

There is a regular direct train from Paris to Laval taking around 1 hour 20 minutes.

For the complimentary transfer on arrival, if you are planning on taking the train from Paris to Laval please get the train that leaves Paris Montparnasse at 13:47 and arrives into Laval at 14.58.

On the departure day the complimentary transfer will depart at 8.45am.

 

You should arrive around 15:30 in time for your transfer with other guests, to the cookery school.

 

Your return transfer will get you to the train station in Laval at around 10:00 am so please book a train to work with these times.

FAQs

What does breakfast include?

Fresh croissants, bread and preserves, cereals, orange juice, yoghurts, tea and coffee

Can I come if I'm vegetarian/have dietary requirements?

Our courses are not designed for vegetarians so far.

If you have a dietary requirement this will need to be communicated to see what you can/can't have.

Are transfers complimentary?

We offer a free return transfer from Laval Train Station. Collection is at 15:53 arrival time on Saturday and return at 10:03 on Thursday.

Transfers are possible at other times but will come at an additional cost.

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