#1- French Kitchen Adventures Six-Day Programs

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5916033288588226056.post-5373699067168531492007-10-18T16:35:00.001+02:002008-02-24T10:01:49.136+01:00#1- French Kitchen Adventures Six-Day ProgramsThese Gascon days of cooking & eating begin on Saturday afternoon and depart on Thursday after lunch. From the minute you arrive in Agen (just 4 hours from Paris), Kate greets you with a warm Southwestern welcome- relaxed and friendly. Step into her 18th-Century French Kitchen and begin to inhale the perfume of Gascony! Daily schedules are full but relaxed and begin over a French country breakfast of fresh pastries from the village baker (or from Kate's own oven) to eat with deep yellow creamerie butter, a variety of artisan honeys, homemade confitures and French yogurts. <div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_5RmE4UmkLcw/RxhbEDe9jsI/AAAAAAAAAek/43xMpalU1m8/s1600-h/IMG_3088_edited.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_5RmE4UmkLcw/RxhbEDe9jsI/AAAAAAAAAek/43xMpalU1m8/s200/IMG_3088_edited.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122944701346713282" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_5RmE4UmkLcw/RxhbCze9jpI/AAAAAAAAAeM/apbTQPrXTMc/s1600-h/IMG_3236_edited.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_5RmE4UmkLcw/RxhbCze9jpI/AAAAAAAAAeM/apbTQPrXTMc/s200/IMG_3236_edited.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122944679871876754" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_5RmE4UmkLcw/RxhbDje9jrI/AAAAAAAAAec/jnpIInePSTQ/s1600-h/IMG_2786_edited.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_5RmE4UmkLcw/RxhbDje9jrI/AAAAAAAAAec/jnpIInePSTQ/s200/IMG_2786_edited.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122944692756778674" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_5RmE4UmkLcw/RxhbCze9jpI/AAAAAAAAAeM/apbTQPrXTMc/s1600-h/IMG_3236_edited.JPG"> </a></div>Cooking classes (in English, of course!) begin with a single perfect focus- a fiercely ripe tomato, a succulent cut of meat, or a twist of fresh herbs from the kitchen terrace garden. Appetizers, soups, salads, main courses, vegetable sides and desserts (bien sur!) recipes are created as students learn about the special artisan products fresh from the farms and markets of Southwest France. Classic French Techniques like braising and sautéing are woven into lessons that adapt for all levels of experience and interests. Professional chefs as well as weekend warriors are welcome to work alongside French local chefs, butchers and bakers to learn the little tricks as Kate translates both culture and language as needed. <div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_5RmE4UmkLcw/RxhbETe9jtI/AAAAAAAAAes/IbcOzNyWuDQ/s1600-h/IMG_3113_edited.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_5RmE4UmkLcw/RxhbETe9jtI/AAAAAAAAAes/IbcOzNyWuDQ/s200/IMG_3113_edited.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122944705641680594" border="0" /></a> </div>Excursions into the fertile countryside are both an exercise in beauty as well as education. Farms, rural museums, and other food producers open their doors to Kate's students as the slow life of Southwest France unfolds meal by meal. There is plenty of time for shopping, wine and armagnac tasting, antique hunting. Lunches out at sweet cafes, picturesque picnic spots and evening meals on the candlelit terrace at Camont are the highlights of gastronomic adventure. An evening out in nearby Agen is a highlight as young chefs taking advantage of the area's produce vie with one another to produce memorable meals in cozy bistros. A competent driver escorts the group in a private mini-van allowing for eating, drinking & making merry. No need to rent a car while at the Relais de Camont. Accommodation for small groups are at the <a href="http://www.camontfrenchfarmhouse.blogspot.com/">Relais de Camont-</a> Kate's towpath inn that houses her French Kitchen. Two lovely guest rooms with queen size beds and private bath or shower plus toilet and sink reflect the spirit of this charming farmhouse pigeonnier. Help with travel arrangements is available and ticketing on the TGV or car rental for after or before the week through our own arrangements with AutoEurope. Need ideas on where to stay in Paris or for further Adventures? Kate's contacts will help create a memorable European Culinary Adventure for you. <div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_5RmE4UmkLcw/Rxd4vje9jnI/AAAAAAAAAds/XRL87vxqo68/s1600-h/Kate2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 139px; height: 181px;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_5RmE4UmkLcw/Rxd4vje9jnI/AAAAAAAAAds/XRL87vxqo68/s320/Kate2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122695859531517554" border="0" /></a> </div>The Six-day French Kitchen Adventures reflects the season's and include: <ul><li>Daily Cooking Classes, </li><li>All meals and wine with lunch and dinners including some meals out. </li><li>Chauffeur-driven local transportation for market & tasting excursions </li><li>Six nights comfortable accommodation based on double occupancy with private bath at the Relais de Camont. </li><li>Market and other countryside Excursions.</li><li>Wine and armagnac tasting</li></ul><div style="text-align: center;">2008 rates for A French Kitchen Adventure (based on double occupancy) is 2950 Euros per person payable by Paypal. (Or by check in dollars at the current exchange rate.) A non-refundable deposit of 50% at time of booking is required to secure a reservation. Groups are limited to 4 (larger groups available on request) and booked on a first come first served basis. For reservations and availability contact: <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.blogger.com/kate@thefrenchkitchen.com">kate@thefrenchkitchen.com </a> </div>Kate Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16820363700663730384noreply@blogger.com