Four Day Gourmet Long-Weekend Experience

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culinary holidays

The Loire Kitchen Food Year

Come for a long weekend of food indulgence and inspiration

Learn some new dishes, taste some great wines, explore a farmer’s market, and discover the secrets to artisan food making. With a Friday or Saturday start, wrapping up on Monday or Tuesday, this four day gourmet experience, can truly immerse yourself in the foods of the Loire and try your hand at several dishes. Arrive late afternoon/early evening on your first day for a tasting of local wines and then join us in the kitchen for a hands-on demonstration of some dessert techniques. We’ll then sit down for a delightful three course meal. Relax with an after dinner drink in the lounge or library, then off for a pleasant night’s rest in your charming and cosy ensuite room.

Second Day

After a farmhouse breakfast of local breads, pastries, yogurts, cereals and other delights the next morning we’ll head off for a tour of the farmer’s market in either Saumur (Saturday) or Neuville or Montsoreau (Sunday). Set in historically and culturally significant locations, all these markets, offer plentiful sights, treats to sample and gastronomic atmosphere. We’ll also give you time to wander around, have a coffee and daydream. We’ll return to Misse and lunch on the treats we picked up.

After lunch, we’ll  menu plan for dinner and then through a series of cookery sessions learn some new techniques and recipes as we prepare dinner. We’ll pause for an early evening break to freshen up and catch our breathes before sitting down together to enjoy the fruits of our labour.

Third Day

After breakfast the next morning, we’ll have a cooking session to learn some lunch dishes which we’ll then enjoy together. After lunch we’ll visit deepen our knowledge and appreciation of local products by visiting a local producer of nut oils, cheese, snails, mushrooms, wine, spirits or other products, depending on the season, for  a tour and tasting. We’ll return to Misse in time for you to go for walk, chill in the library with a book or simply hang out before we enjoy a three course dinner.

Final Day

The next morning, after breakfast, we’ll have a final cookery session where we tackle a complex dish or technique that fits with your interests. We’ll have lunch, pack and send you back home to try out your new-found culinary skills.

Details

• 3 nights accommodation
• Welcome wine-tasting
• 3 half-day cooking sessions
• 2 hands-on cooking demonstrations (dessert/starter)
• Farmer’s Market Visit
• Visit to an artisan food maker (cheese, nut oils, mushrooms, and/or a vineyard)
• 3 Three+ course dinners including all beverages (wine, waters, etc.)
• 3 multi-course lunches
• Breakfast each morning
• Recipes and folder

Cost per participant 1175€ based on two people sharing a double or twin room.
Cost for a non-participating partner 915€ sharing double/twin room with private bathroom.
Cost for solo traveller 1450€ including single supplement. Fact: we hate supplements but costs are higher with solo participants This year, 2023, we are promoting a series of (S) solo traveller dates; these dates are charged at 1175€ and do not attract a single supplement.

Price includes EVERYTHING except travel to France and transport to Loire Kitchen (we can arrange airport train transfers for a fee, please see our getting here page) and discretionary purchases at markets and other attractions. Deposit of €352 per cooking course participant is due at the time of booking. The balance becomes due 30 days before the start date.

Please note: The holiday schedule described above serves as a guide. We may occasionally need to change the order or location of certain events due to the season, weather or other logistical practicalities. If so, we’ll always aim to deliver the same experience and similar atmosphere.

SPRING, SUMMER & AUTUMN 2023 – AVAILABLE DATES