SHORT BREAKS COOKING : FRANCE	COOKING VACATIONS

Cooking gourmet French cuisine in Ambeyrac, France
. . . with Greedy Goose Cooking Holidays

Experience a wonderful holiday and improve your cooking skills - this really is a holiday, where you can do as much or as little as you like.

From one day courses to six day cooking holidays, the aim is to have fun and cook along with other people who share your love of good food. You will pick up some great tips to give you confidence and make your cooking even better. You will be provided with all the elements you need both to relax and to learn, all at your own pace.

Your host and teacher Anne Dyson has spent thirty years cooking for family, friends and business dignitaries. A master educator she began Greedy Goose Cooking Holidays to pass on her skills and love of food whilst sharing her beautiful home in Ambeyrac in the department of the Aveyron. Anne is the author of several cookery books including Greedy Goose Entertains and Greedy Goose Cooks with Children.

Anne believes in using fine quality, seasonal food cooked with love and laughter, the herbs you will use are in pots outside the kitchen door, the eggs from local hens. The bread is baked in the village, the meat from the local butcher who even knows which animal has provided it, some fruit and vegetables come from the garden, others from the local market . . . everything is fresh, seasonal and regional.

The village of Ambeyrac

Ambeyrac is quite small with around two hundred inhabitants in the community which also includes the next village. Housing is a good old mixture of rather attractive old and the new . . . the architecture of the region is lovely, with lots of beautiful roof shapes, pigeonierres, outside stone stairways, terraces and barns.

There is a well stocked grocers shop and Boulangerie, where the bread is baked fresh every day except Monday, and an excellent butchers shop - it is said you will not get better meat in all of France.

The area is very beautiful with lots of stunning walks, bike riding and river swimming nearby. It is part of the real rural France with hills all around and the river, bordered by limestone cliffs some of which you can just see from the swimming pool terrace, running through the valley.

Ambeyrac from the hills

The local farms used to have vines but they were all destroyed in the early part of the last century and the fields are now full of maize and tobacco. There used also to be a thriving hemp industry and in Maison Dyson they used to process the rye grass that still grows in the valley and make straws for the cafes of Paris. Paper and plastic superseded the straw which was then used for hat making and chair bottoms. There are still two small enterprises in the village which make chairs.

There are wild plums and walnuts together with mushrooms, the whereabouts of which are a closely guarded secret, and there are snails for the gathering after the rain in the summer time. The two hens at Maison Dyson will provide fresh free range eggs for the cooking holidays. The cheeses of the area include the world famous Roquefort with Cantal and Lagioule not far away and there are lots of small enterprises making and selling goats cheese.

There are many farms raising ducks and geese for foie gras. Magret de canard, the breast of the ducks fattened for foie gras is a wonderful local delicacy whilst strawberries from the Lot valley are famous throughout the region.

Walnut oil farms, wild boar farms together with Saffron de Quercy (the old name for the whole region) are all included in optional visits on the cooking holiday together with visits to goats cheese farms and Biere d'Olt (a small local brewery which has good and rather different tasting beer).

The nearest vineyards are at Cahors and Marcillac both of which are AOC, and Gaillac wine is also fairly nearby. These are interesting but not especially well known wines - apart from Cahors of course. They do not travel very well but they are good to drink and go well with the local food.

Why Greedy Goose?

Anne explains . . . we had great fun choosing the name Greedy Goose which we feel perfectly explains what we are about.

GREEDY - it is said that the best cooks are greedy cooks! We love food, and the whole foody experience, especially high quality, seasonal, French food which is just what you will be using.

GOOSE - this is the area of ducks and geese! You’ll find echoes of it in virtually every local menu, for example, foie gras, confit, magret, manchons, duck and goose fat etc.

COOKING - that’s what you will be doing… improving skills, learning new ones, leaving with the confidence to present spectacular, wonderful tasting French dishes to amaze your family and friends.

HOLIDAY – because it’s a time to relax, enjoy meeting like minded people, walk, ride, explore the ever changing beautiful countryside and the towns and villages of the region, read a book perhaps even a new cook book from the extensive library, listen to music, swim (in season) or just sit… It’s your choice and it's all there for your enjoyment.

The Property

You will be coming to stay in a gorgeous French villa built in 1850. The main building has been lovingly renovated over a ten year period and is run as a beautiful four storey chambre de hote (bed and breakfast). On the property there is an eighteenth century barn that has been converted into an amazing self contained gite (holiday home). There are wonderful areas around the two acre property such as the shady Terrace for outdoor dining, the covered BBQ area next to the gite. The swimming pool has its own peaceful and relaxing deck where the view is rolling green hills for as far as the eye can see. The property has been photographed for a prestigious design magazine.

The purpose built cookery school is located on the ground floor of the main building and its French doors open out to the garden just next to the swimming pool. There are roses around the doors and the herbs that you will be picking for your cuisine are in pots along the terrace.

The first day of your stay (the Sunday you arrive) gives you an opportunity to rest and relax after your journey and acclimatise yourself. Take a walk in the village or along the river, have a swim (weather permitting) or simply relax on the property.

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday are cooking days when you will spend the morning cooking in our purpose built school. Monday is focused on starters, Tuesday is main courses and Wednesday desserts. On Friday you will put a whole meal together. The afternoons are your own to relax or take part in our optional tours.

Thursday will consist of a visit to an authentic French market in the medieval bastide town of Villefranche de Rouergue. This is a colourful, vibrant experience where you will see gourmet delicacies of the region in the town square dominated by the Collegiale. You can take coffee overlooking the action and sample wares from the local farmers, cheese makers, winemakers and oil producers. Following the market you will be taken to Le Vieux Pont restaurant in Bel Castel. This is one of the most picturesque villages in France and has to be seen to be believed. Le Vieux Pont is a Michelin restaurant and serves unbelievable food and wine. A five course lunch is provided as part of your programme - truly a gastronomic experience.

On Saturday you can make your journey home having acquired excellent new cooking skills, experienced fabulous French food and wine and had a relaxing and rejuvenating holiday. Alternatively you can choose to stay on and take your accommodation for longer to lengthen your stay and explore the region further.

There are optional tours, if you wish, to some of the regions delicacies in the afternoons of Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Such as visits to:

• a Saint Andre cheese maker
• a walnut oil producer
• a goose and duck farm where they make the world famous Foie Gras, the region's most famous delicacy
• a wild boar farm
• a local beer producer
• local wine makers

About the school

Anne Dyson

Greedy Goose is owned and run by Anne Dyson who has had the property for over twelve years. Anne has spent thirty years cooking for business dignitaries, at dinner parties and social functions. She is a master educator with over thirty years teaching experience. Anne is experienced in most aspects of French cooking including cordon blue, nouvelle cuisine and French peasant fare. Anne believes in using excellent seasonal food incorporating the freshest local produce.

Anne has been running the property as a gite and chambre de hote for six years and has been providing fabulous French cuisine for guests during that time. Anne decided to launch Greedy Goose Cooking Holidays to pass on her knowledge and the skills she has acquired over the years.

Who is this programme suitable for?

You may already consider yourself a good cook, cooking for friends and family and at dinner parties. This is your chance to extend your skills and your French cuisine repertoire. You will learn new authentic French dishes and polish skills to learn, for example fail safe mayonnaise and hollandaise. The menus and dishes taught at the school are seasonal but may include some of the following:

Rillette de Saumon, mushroom soup with scallops, tomato and parmesan tarts, magret with green peppercorn sauce, quail with thyme and juniper berries, salmon with sorrel sauce, gateau moka aux amandes, wine custards, profiteroles aux chocolate.

“It’s hard to get across how truly impressed I was with the day - not once did I find it hard to have what felt like your full attention to ask a question. Neither did I feel cramped physically in your space - no mean feat – seven cooks in one kitchen! You have something fantastic here. You are an excellent teacher - I learnt!!” ~ Marion, Salles Courbatiers, France

“Pace was excellent, so many dishes, it couldn’t have been better” ~ Maureen, Catus, Lot, France

“Food, 10 out of 10” ~ Yannick, Stratford-on-Avon, England

“Heartfelt thanks for the fabulous regional French cooking which sent us both into raptures and beats most other establishments into a cocked hat, for the warmth and bonhomie which we have shared over the last delightful week and for the wonderful visits to villages and towns where time stands still” ~ Elsa, Newcastle, Australia

“We came with big expectations and did not become disappointed. Thank you for a great stay. We love your cooking Anne” ~ Beata, Oslo, Norway

“What a wonderful, relaxing time we’ve had. We’ve put on so many kilos we’re going to roll home to Oz” ~ Miranda, Sydney, Australia

“Thank you Anne for the pleasure of your company, the wonderful food and for taking care of us” ~ Norma, Oldham, England

“Abandon hope all confirmed weight watchers who enter here, you will never want to count the calories again when you have sampled Anne’s culinary delights! Every meal is a ‘voyage of delight and discovery’ And when you have sampled that another feast awaits you when you discover wonderful villages and towns set in beautiful countryside. You’re a talented lady, Anne, but I guess your greatest talent is to make people feel so welcome” ~ Kay, Warwick, England

“Your open mind and relaxed, carefree nature, not to mention your bountiful hospitality has made another visit a necessity!” ~ Eve, Wellesbourne, England

"Now I know what a greedy goose feels like, the food was fantastic & cooked by me!" ~ Chris, London, England

There are three levels of accommodation whilst attending the cooking holiday which is reflected in the price structure.

The Barn
There are four small double bedrooms in the barn, one has a double bed, the other three each have twin beds, which can be pushed together to create a king sized double. Two bedrooms are on the ground floor, two are on the first floor. There are two shower rooms which the four bedrooms share, one on the ground floor, the other on the first floor. There are also two sitting areas, a dining area and a kitchen area. The barn is used as a self-catering holiday home when not used for the cooking holidays which makes it very convenient if you want to extend your holiday.

The Classic Rooms
There are two double bedrooms in the house. Rose’s room has a king sized bed together with a shower / bath and WC and wash basin in the room (very French) The Blue room has twin beds and a private bathroom containing shower / bath, WC, wash basin and bidet in the room next door.

The Apartment
This stunning room is a self-contained apartment with a bedroom area (double bed), sitting area, kitchen/dining area and study area. Designed by a young architect it has everything you need for a luxurious holiday including a Jacuzzi bath and a shower / steam room

Greedy Goose Cooking Holidays makes a very attractive offer to enable particpants to bring a partner or friend along for the holiday. The second individual will have all meals and wine provided, in other words share meals with those attending the school and the total cost is almost half price!!

They do not charge a single supplement - as they do not think you should be punished for wanting to attend alone!

Travel

Airport Transfers to and from Rodez airport are all included in the price of your holiday. Air fares are not included in the price as you can purchase cheap flights through Ryan Air to and from Rodez.

Prices

For information on prices please visit the Greedy Goose web site - www.greedygoose.net

Dates

For information about available dates please visit the Greedy Goose web site - www.greedygoose.net