Cooking or culinary holidays, vacations, tours in France, Italy, Spain, Portugal:

Active Gourmet Holidays . . .
Cooking Holidays in France, Italy, Spain and Portugal

Active Gourmet Holidays offers much more than conventional vacations - rather, they provide unforgettable getaways that nourish the senses, refuel the body and replenish the spirit.

Whether it be learning to master local dishes from a renowned chef in the heart of Provence, biking amidst the spectacular red poppy fields of Chianti, or tasting fine Tuscan wines from the Brunello region, Active Gourmet Holidays offers the perfect escape.

• Sample the world's finest cuisine
• Savour internationally renowned wines
• Step inside different cultures

Creating Active Gourmet Holidays has allowed founder Jo-Ann Gaidosz to share her passions by being able to combine all of her favourite things into unique and unforgettable holidays. Also, by offering outdoor activities, such as biking the coast of Saint Tropez or hiking the Italian Riviera, Active Gourmet Holidays affords you the opportunity to stay fit - all the while indulging in the gastronomic delicacies your palate desires!

• Culinary instruction for both the sophisticated and casual cook
• Combination holidays for those who enjoy variety or for traveling companions with different interests - Cooking and Biking or Hiking, Italian Lessons and Cooking, Food and Wine, Painting and Cooking
• Visits to famous vineyards and local food producers
• Small groups so as to offer a more intimate setting

If you have a passion for travel, enjoy the outdoors and possess a love for food and fine wines, read on to learn about theri enticing selection of tempting escapes - exciting itineraries, a mix of breathtaking destinations and a varied price range. With Active Gourmet Holidays you can enjoy the hidden pleasures of a foreign land like never before!

Do you crave the extraordinary?

< France > < Italy > < Spain > < Portugal >

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Cooking in Normandy with Susan Herrmann Loomis - 5 nights

Join Susan Herrmann Loomis, internationally-recognized food expert and author of six cookbooks, for a memorable culinary week at her cooking school in Normandy, France. On Rue Tatin is so much more than just a cooking school, rather it is a unique and hand-tailored opportunity for you to get inside the world of fine food and ingredients and warm, talented and generous people. You will spend five days getting an inside look at France with all of its quality and richness, its old-world quality and its youthful dynamism.

Susan's extensive travel throughout the United States, France and Italy has given her a depth of knowledge and an appreciation for the rich traditions around food—how it is grown, harvested and prepared. Susan believes that learning about cooking and food should involve much more than recipes and techniques. She delights in meeting and introducing the personalities and customs behind the great cuisines of France and takes a unique approach to her craft; combining training in journalism with a love for food and the people who produce it. Good food, prepared from the freshest, seasonal and local ingredients, sipping fabulous wines selected from our cellar, lively conversations around the dinner table and providing perspective and insight into the nuances of daily life in France is what you will experience during this five day adventure.

Your meals will prove memorable as you dine al fresco in the courtyard of Susan's lovingly-restored convent in the center of Louviers and across the street from the Gothic Church of Notre Dame de Louviers.

Class sizes are small so you have plenty of hands-on, one-on-one time in the kitchen. You will use only the freshest ingredients, produced by small, family-owned farms and hand-chosen by Susan. You will work in a superbly equipped contemporary kitchen where you will learn the techniques that make French cuisine so seductive. Recipes are geared to the home cook so that once you are in your own kitchen you will be able to easily reproduce what you’ve accomplished at On Rue Tatin.

Available May to June, August to October - Sunday to Friday

For further information see the Active Gourmet Holidays web site - click here

Authentic France - 3 or 6 nights

Discover the authenticity of Provence by staying in a beautifully restored traditional 19th century farmhouse in the heart of the countryside surrounded by woods and fields. Enjoy breathtaking views where every scene is a photograph and the air is fresh and invigorating. The farm is truly a haven of tranquility. You will enjoy a continental breakfast, including homemade jams and preserves each day.

The farmhouse has 6 bedrooms located in a separate area of the house. Each bedroom is equipped with an en suite bathroom and toilet. The decoration of every room has been carefully chosen to reflect some aspect of the local flora and fauna, and the natural beauty of the surroundings. A spacious living room with library, music and board games is placed at the disposal of all the guests.

Your hostess, who ran a successful restaurant before deciding to live in the country, will seduce you with the delicate flavours of her Mediterranean and Provençal cooking. You will use organic ingredients which come from local farmers and producers, and of course, from her own delightful vegetable and herb garden. This really is a very authentic experience in every way. If you want to immerse yourself in all that is French, this is the holiday for you!

Your three hour hands-on cooking lessons will take place in the morning after breakfast. Your instructor will show you many different cooking techniques including steaming, salt crust, oven simmering and more with the use of many Provençal spices and herbs. The menus will vary according to the time of year the workshop take place. You will learn how to make delicious and simple Provençal dishes that you can easily re-create at home for friends and family.

A number of dishes can be prepared all year round including Bouillabaisse, Daube Provençale, Stuffed Rabbit, Gratin Dauphinois, Crespéou d'omelettes, Confit de Canard and much more. Other dishes vary according to the season such as Truffles, Foie Gras, Petits Farcis Provençaux, Salade Niçoise.

There are many walks, bicycle tracks, and picturesque country roads that will enable you to discover the Drôme Provençal, with its perched villages, castles, street markets and local artists and crafts people. Your hosts will be happy to give you suggestions on what to do during your spare time such as visiting Dieulefit to buy some beautiful handmade pottery to take home with you and visiting some of the amazing medieval villages like Poet-Laval.

Inquire about a truffle weekend, available December to early March.

Available year round

For further information see the Active Gourmet Holidays web site - click here

Painting in Provence - 6 nights

Join us in Provence for a fabulous week of art and gourmet food. You will not only see the beautiful villages of the Luberon but will learn painting techniques that will last you a lifetime. Indulge in fabulous Provençal meals and immerse yourself into this beautiful part of Provence, known for its colours and landscapes, its welcoming people and of course for the wonderful foods and tastes that make this area so special. Marie, your instructor will welcome you and take you on site to the most unforgettable locales and teach you painting techniques enabling you to capture the essence of Provence.

Available year round

For further information see the Active Gourmet Holidays web site - click here

Cooking in the South of France - 6 nights

Join Peta Mathias for a memorable week-long journey into the culinary world of the South of France. Peta Mathias is a respected and prolific New Zealand chef, author and broadcaster, who now builds on the culinary travel experience with her cooking school in France.

Having started off her culinary love affair in Paris with her restaurant 'Rose Blues' in the 5th arrondissement, she returned to New Zealand ten years later to teach, cook and write. 'Fête Accomplie', the first book about life in Paris with recipes, is also the first of her eight gastronomic travel books written about North Africa, France, New Zealand, Ireland and Vietnam. The most recent book is called 'French Toast'.

Peta has been presenting the prime time television travel / food shows 'Taste New Zealand' and 'Taste Takes Off' for ten years, and in 2006 did a food segment on a new TVNZ show 'House & Garden'.

Peta was born and bred in Auckland, a stunningly sparkling port city where she still lives but travels extensively researching books and filming her series. She is a member and judge of Slow Food and is proud of the fact that she lives in one of the cleanest, most beautiful countries in the world.

Mas Bonnafoux is a 17th century farmhouse set in its own two hectare grounds on a commanding site dating back to Roman times, and close to the celebrated market town of Uzès. To the south, the Mas overlooks a peaceful valley strewn with vineyards, fruit trees and native woodland and on to the Arque, a 9th Century Knight's Templars' fort. To the north, the land falls away across woods to the last ramparts of the Cévennes Mountains. With its colonnaded terraces, large pool and luxurious accommodation, Mas Bonnafoux is the perfect place to soak up the style and culinary pleasures of the region.

Your gastronomic experience takes place in the medieval market town of Uzès, nestled between the Mediterranean, the fertile plains of the Rhône delta and the Cévennes mountains. All the great ingredients are here – olives, in their myriad disguises; sages, rosemaries, saffrons and thymes mingle with garlic, citrus and North African harissa. The market overflows with live prawn and trout, huge tuna amidst schools of rock fish; great baskets of oysters, moules and divine little tellines; roe-buck, hare, partridge and sanglier come from the sacrosanct chasse; lamb from the Causses, toro and red rice from the Camargues; terracotta bowls full of ratatouilles, tapenades, brandades, anchoyades, 30 types of olive… charcuterie of every form, smoked duck’s breast, truffles, fennel, fresh figs, preserved lemons, cêpe, chanterelle and girole mushrooms, almonds, and of course the specialty of the region – their fabulous Pélardon goat cheeses at every stage of maturity.

The cuisine itself is typically southern: robust, rustic, a culinary celebration of this beautiful harsh region, where searing summers flow from abundant springs into turbulent autumns, and glistening chill winters. Local recipes reflect tradition; respect for the land and honest, seasonal produce.

Your week is a sensuous and varied journey through all that makes the South of France such a legendary destination, with plenty of time for relaxation and souvenir hunting.

Available May, June, September, October

For further information see the Active Gourmet Holidays web site - click here

Hiking and Feasting in Arles - 6 nights

This program combines wandering about the glorious and varied countryside of Provence, and cooking together with friends (new and old!). Though what you will learn is Provençal cuisine, naturally rich in vegetables, olive oil, and with minimal fats, after a week of feasting, some of our clients worry about facing the scales when they get home. So, if we walk and hike for a couple hours each day, over hills and through valleys, collecting a few herbs, or berries, or mushrooms as we find them, you can indulge with no guilt in the evening's delicacies!

We'll walk through valleys of olive orchards, along paths with spectacular vistas, hike amidst vineyards, visit our cheese makers (and run into their goats grazing) and olive oil mills, include strolls through local markets to gather picnic supplies (as well as ingredients for the evening classes), through landscapes painted by Vincent Van Gogh, Roman ruins, and into the hidden valley of our favorite bee keeper.

Available May and September - Sunday to Saturday

For further information see the Active Gourmet Holidays web site - click here

The Perfumes, Colours and Flavours of the Luberon - Provence - 4 or 7 nights

Join Chef Patrick for a week in the heart of the Luberon. Daily hands-on cooking classes and excursions to neighboring villages and visits to traditional markets offering all the local produce for which Provence is renowned - from olive oil to fine wines and cheeses.

Patrick will greet you in his Eighteenth century restored house, opposite the Baron d'Agoult's castle, which offers you incomparable comfort. Well sheltered in the heart of the Luberon, Goult offers picturesque scenery, tradition and history. Patrick and Babeth will guide and inspire you, and your spare time will be filled with new places to discover, and good restaurants to enjoy! During the afternoon, Chef Patrick will be displaying his culinary art and disclosing the secrets of Provençal cuisine. Patrick graduated from the school of Roger Vergé, and has run his restaurant for over twenty years in the town of Goult, Provence. He has even had a cameo mention in Peter Mayle's famous book "A Year in Provence."

Highlights of this trip include:

• Wine tasting: wine of Luberon (Domaine de la Citadelle) and famous wine of Chateauneuf du pape
• Visit of the Lavender Museum in Coustellet and Corkscrew Museum in Menerbes and Truffle and Wine House in Menerbes (during the summer season wine lovers are welcome to participate in tasting sessions and discover the secret of regional wines)
• Fun hands-on cooking classes
• Cheese tasting (selection of the best cheese from France and Provence) and Provençal olive oil tasting
• Beautiful and antique villages of Luberon with such a difference from one to the other and the beautiful landscapes of Provence
• The Pope Palace in Avignon and the antique medieval village in Les baux de Provence

Available March to December - Saturday to Saturday

For further information see the Active Gourmet Holidays web site - click here

Provencal Gourmand - Provence - 5 or 7 nights New

For those of you wishing to get far away from home to escape your normal life, if only for a bit, this holiday is the perfect choice.

Learn to cook from an incredibly talented chef, Erick, a native of Arles. When in Provence last year, I can honestly say that his cuisine was the very best my friends and I had during our stay.

You will learn to make over 16-20 different Provençal dishes, you will go shopping for the days' ingredients at the local markets, visit a local winery and food artisans, and simply revel in the arts of good food and good wine. You'll share the passion, riches and pleasures of this very special region called Provence.

Depending on the season, you will visit many different culinary artisans and, wineries and the Arles market.

Available January, May through July, October

For further information see the Active Gourmet Holidays web site - click here

Provence Cooking Classes - Provence - 6 nights New

Twenty minutes east of Nyons, the olive capital of France, lies an 18th century 3 story stone "mas" (Provençal farmhouse) nestled in the hills outside the village of Condorcet. Enjoy a breath-taking view and a climate said to be among the most agreeable in all of France. Savor blue skies, sunlight in all its shades and shadows, old farm-houses of yellowed stone and mottled clay-tiled roofs, and its holy trinity of lamb, goat and olive.

Each day is designed to provide 3-5 hours of culinary instruction and actual meal preparation, with an emphasis on student participation. You will learn classic French methods using the flavors and techniques of Provençal cuisine.

Your cooking vacation begins with your arrival Tuesday afternoon and ends the following Monday after breakfast.

Wednesday through Sunday, each day is designed around 3 - 5 hours of hands-on culinary instruction and excursions into this sun-drenched and historical corner of Provence. Depending on the availability, season and local village festivals, we will:

• Visit a local goat farm and goat-cheese producer
• Visit a duck farm to buy meat for "confit" and can observe the "gavage"
• Visit 250 year old factory where olive oil filters are still made the old fashioned way
• Visit a trout farm - select fresh fish for the table
• Tour a Chateauneuf-du-Pape Chateau or visit area wine producers
• Bottle our own wine (with an extra to tuck into your suitcase)
• Experience a bit of French/Roman history - tour a medieval village - visit remarkable Roman ruins
• Tour an olive-oil mill founded in 1847 or the famous Nyons olive co-op
• Tour an old-style lavender distillery
• Find time to shop for those beautiful Provençal fabrics and ceramics
• Explore the renowned, sprawling and animated open-air market in Nyons

There will also be ample time to relax by the pool, read on the terrace, hike up the mountains through the wild lavender and thyme, ride horses up into the hills, bicycle, star-gaze or simply nap in your room. Sleep with windows open. Soak up the ambiance of Provence and totally immerse yourself into this wonderful way of life.

Instructor for the sessions is master chef Daniel Bonnot. Chef Bonnot was born in France and worked under Parisian chefs for seven years. After several years cooking in London at the Savoy Hotel, he moved to Guadeloupe, where he learned to integrate Creole cooking with French cuisine, and was "chef saucier" at La Caravelle. In 1979 he moved to New Orleans where he was proprietor/chef at Chez Daniel and most recently, Bizou. He was the mentor for the famous New Orleans chef Susan Spicer; he was named Chef of the Year in New Orleans in 1980 and 1995, and Bizou was named one of the 10 New Best Restaurants in the Country by John Mariani in Esquire in November,1996. Chef Bonnot has been a frequent celebrity chef at the March Jazz Fest in Juan-les-Pins (on the French Riviera), on luxury liners and around the world.

The three separate guest rooms with private baths and the two-bedroom, one and one-half bath apartment are comfortably furnished for your enjoyment and relaxation. Each room has its own exterior entry providing privacy. There is also a stream-fed pool ideal to relax, converse or take a dip before apertifs and dinner.

Available June and September - Tuesday to Monday

For further information see the Active Gourmet Holidays web site - click here

Culinary Provence - Provence - 6 nights

Experience magical Provence with Carole, acclaimed chef and restaurateur and her French born husband, Bernard. Small groups of eight to ten persons, gorgeous accommodations in a restored home, cooking classes, divine cuisine, fine wines and cultural activities. Provence awaits your arrival and promises to make your dreams come true!

Have you always dreamed of discovering the sun-splashed splendors of Provence - with your own personal guides to reveal the Provençal landscape, culture, foods, wines, and restaurants as only a native of the region can appreciate them? Your dream can come true when you join an acclaimed chef and restaurateur and her French-born husband, for their Culinary Tour in Provence.

Carole and Bernard's special delight is to introduce sophisticated travelers to the rich history, natural beauty, and culinary delights of this extraordinary region in the south of France. Intimate tour groups of 8 to 10 persons allow each participant to enjoy an unforgettable personal experience as they discover Provence from a true insider's perspective. You will be Carole and Bernard's guest at their restored home in Montfrin, Prieuré Notre Dame, which boasts a history dating back to the 12th century and all the contemporary comforts of today. Montfrin is conveniently located in the heart of Provence at the center of a triangle formed by the cities of Avignon, Arles and Nimes, each about 20 minutes' drive from the village.

As executive chef and owner of her very successful restaurant in Connecticut, Carole has received the coveted four-star rating from Connecticut Magazine and acclaim in Gourmet, The New York Times and other national publications for her pioneering and original culinary creations rooted in a commitment to use of fresh and organic foods grown by local producers. So it was only natural that she fell in love with the bounty of Provence with its thriving open-air markets and small farms.

The first goal of Carole's cooking class in France is to pass along to her guests her knowledge and technique, taking full advantage of the wealth of fresh ingredients available in Provence in order to provide a better understanding of their many flavors and uses. But unlike most cooking classes, these lessons are not limited to Carole's demonstrations in the kitchen of the Prieuré Notre Dame. Carole takes her guests to visit and learn from various chefs of the region, and often brings a local chef to the Prieuré as a guest instructor.

Going on location enables Carole to show the Provence profonde — the real Provence — in all its beauty and diversity. Thus, in addition to cooking classes, each tour sets aside time for a wide range of other culinary and cultural activities such as wine tastings in local vineyards, a tasting and workshop at the Institute of Olive Oil, or touring in Les Baux de Provence and the Camargue. Our guests also discover both established and up-and-coming restaurants in Provence, as Bernard constantly tours the area to search out the best chefs, restaurants and wines in the region. Of course, no weeklong tour in Provence is complete without shopping — but here, too, we stay off the beaten tourist paths to seek out those special craftsmen, artisans and designers rooted in the true culture of the region.

Available July, September to October

For further information see the Active Gourmet Holidays web site - click here

A Small Taste of Provence - Provence - 2 nights

Looking for a small village in Provence for some relaxation, historical points of interest and cooking classes? This bed and breakfast is a perfect place to discover the area, gain some culinary experience and taste exquisite wines. The location is ideal since it is close to Avignon, Chateauneuf de Pape and the Luberon region of Provence.

Welcome to Provence! You will be greeted by your hosts in their beautiful Nineteenth century “mas”. The village where you will be staying is well known for its rosé wine, being the first in France. You will discover the surrounding area, rich in historical attractions such as Avignon and the Pope’s Palace and the Roman aqueducts. Fabulous landscapes, exceptional light (there was a reason van Gogh came to the south!) and the singing of the cicadas will bring you peace and comfort and offer an appreciation of this exquisite region of France. You will be charmed by the colourful markets and warm people. In Provence you will discover the French way of life with a sunny twist.

You will partake in a hands-on Provençal cookery class based on sun-kissed vegetables and fruits, thyme, rosemary, garlic and basil. Groups are small, two to six people, to offer more personal attention. You will prepare your own dinners in a way all Provençal women (and men) do, without professional equipment but with a Provençal heart. The dishes prepared will be a pleasant, more than expected, discovery in flavour.

Available year round

For further information see the Active Gourmet Holidays web site - click here

The Foods and Wines of the Languedoc-Roussillon - Languedoc-Roussillon - 7 nights

Join us in this pristine region in the South of France, where you will learn French, English, Oriental, Vegetarian and Fusion cooking in a well equipped kitchen in a beautiful chateau. Visit local food producers, taste fine wines from the Corbieres and Minervois and visit the Narbonne market where you will learn to select the freshest foods for your class.

Learn to cook from an accomplished English chef, Sasha, in the lovely Languedoc-Roussillon region of France close to the famous Canal du Midi. Stay in a beautiful Seventeenth century Chateau set in the tranquil atmosphere of an old wine Domaine. Amidst vineyards and breathtaking scenery, you will visit many of the area's wine makers and experience some of the most exciting wines now being produced in France that are among the finest in the world. You will learn about the different grapes and processes used in the production of Corbiéres and Minervois wine and enjoy several wine tastings (dégustations) as part of your cooking or wine tour. Sometimes known as "forgotten France" this region has not changed for centuries and is steeped in history. Southwest of Provence, it is now being discovered and loved for its quiet roads, beautiful unspoilt countryside and warm and friendly people. Your English hosts, Tim and Sasha, are passionate about the region and their lovely home. They like to look after you as if you are family, and believe me, when I left, I felt like family! !

Available year round

For further information see the Active Gourmet Holidays web site - click here

Bordeaux Gourmand - 6 nights

This fully escorted 7 day culinary and wine tour offers you a luxurious active vacation with a small group. The program has been specifically designed for a travel audience interested in fine cuisine, Bordeaux wines and the French “Art de vivre”. Stay in gorgeous accommodations, explore the area, learn about the finest in food and wine and participate in hands-on cooking classes and wine tastings.

Available May and July

For further information see the Active Gourmet Holidays web site - click here

Cooking and Biking / Walking in Bordeaux - Bordeaux - 6 nights

Discover the renowned Bordeaux region of France for a week of cooking instruction, wine tastings, biking and exploration. Stay in a lovely bed and breakfast situated on the edge of a small village. Learn to cook from a talented French cook who is also a doctor and nutritionist. And if you wish, bike amidst vineyards and scenic biking trails.

Savor the wines, foods, and landscapes that define this southwestern corner of France between Bordeaux and St Emilion. Your week in the "Entre Deux Mers" region is a unique way to get to know French people and to share their culinary passions. It is an opportunity to taste and cook traditional and locally grown foods: produce from their gardens, wine from their vineyards, shellfish from their seacoast or mushrooms from their forests. Your hostess for the week, Carol, is an American who has been living in France for more than thirty years. During your stay you will participate in cooking classes at private homes, restaurants and cafés, you will enjoy biking through the nearby vineyards and on the bike trail, you will indulge in delicious tastings and simply immerse yourself in everyday French life.

Available year round - Saturday to Friday

For further information see the Active Gourmet Holidays web site - click here

The Food and Wine of France - Bordeaux - 5 or 6 nights

Jean-Pierre, formerly Head Chef at Chez Panisse, and Denise, whose family owns a number of famous chateaux in Bordeaux, invite you to learn about the gastronomy of France. Cooking classes, vineyard visits and exquisite accommodations!

This week is for those who enjoy food, wine, cooking and immersing themselves in a different culture and way of life. You will be cooking with Jean-Pierre in two different kitchens. One is the professional kitchen in the XIII Chateau La Louviere, a jewel of classic architecture. The other one is a private kitchen in a farm house with old stone walls and huge fireplaces. The cooking will be down to earth at the farm with grilling, spit-roasted poultry and a focus on such Bordeaux specialties as duck, seafood, fresh riverfish and, of course vegetables from the garden. At the chateau, the cooking will have an approach of fancier dinners and parties.

There will be tastings of many different wines to discover the bounty of Bordeaux, and visits to local markets in the fortified villages and to artisans. Cheese tasting with the best "affineur" of Bordeaux in his aging cellar. Visits to a fine chocolate producer, a very elegant "charcuterie," a heirloom vegetable farm, a barrelmaker, an oyster farm . . .

Available July, September

For further information see the Active Gourmet Holidays web site - click here

Gastronomy in France - Loire Valley - 4 nights

Stay in an exquisite Ninetenth century Chateau, learn to cook from an award-winning chef and immerse yourself in the aromas and flavours of this splendid region of France, known for its beauty, cuisine, cider and wine. You will marvel at your stunning home for the week with its masterfully carved wood panelling and cabinetry and stunning hand-painted ceilings.

Enjoy a spectacular culinary week in Northern France. Your home for the week is a stunning 19th century Chateau which has been beautifully decorated and is surrounded by magnificent English gardens.

You will learn to prepare delicious French gastronomic cuisine by a chef with an international career in top restaurants and hotels and who has also received a string of medals and prestigious titles at international competition levels. Classes will also include information on wine pairing to complete the experience.

Luxurious accommodations, gastronomy at its finest and tranquil surroundings - it doesn't get better than this!

Available March through November - Monday to Friday

For further information see the Active Gourmet Holidays web site - click here

French Cookery Classes - Northern Loire - 5 nights

Breathtaking French countryside, fun filled cookery lessons, gastronomic delights, fine wines, a beautifully renovated farmhouse, interesting conversation with new friends. Take part in five days of hands-on gourmet cooking instruction to enhance your confidence and knowledge in the kitchen. What more could one ask for?

The Mayenne region in the Northern Loire of France provides a magical setting to learn cooking techniques using the beautiful foods of this exquisite region. You will increase your confidence in the kitchen by learning to skillfully combine new ingredients, flavors and textures. The cookery classes are run by two highly motivated, well trained chefs in a professional yet relaxed holiday atmosphere providing you with a unique and entertaining way to enhance your culinary knowledge.

Arriving mid-afternoon on Saturday, the course begins with an introductory talk to discuss the course's aims and structure. Later in the evening, after complimentary champagne and canapés, the theme of the course is emphasized with a 6-course gourmet dinner, where the style and standard of the food you will be cooking is presented. This gives you the perfect opportunity to relax and get to know your fellow guests.

Each day after breakfast, the morning begins with a hands-on demonstration, ranging from making croissants, brioche and bread to homemade jams, chutneys and other preserves. This is followed by preparation of the gourmet dishes for the evening meal, where you will be creating dishes such as "Duck Confit and Fois Gras Terrine" or "Smoked Haddock and Brie Souflé". Among the things you will learn are: how to prepare fish and meat and choose quality produce, how to make your own stocks, how to make fettuccini and ravioli as well as learning the secrets of making divine ice cream. After a light lunch you will have the opportunity to experience part of the local culture with visits to a French market, a traditional organic bread baker or perhaps a local chateau and its beautiful grounds. After your relaxing afternoon it's more hands-on fun in the kitchen, where the final preparations for the evening's dinner will continue. It is then time to sit down and enjoy the incredible food you have prepared.

On the last day you and your new friends will cook as a team, with only a little guidance from our chefs, using all the skills and knowledge acquired during the week. However, to relieve the pressure, in the afternoon, a gourmet barbeque is served followed by games in the garden, such as croquet and boules. Then back to the kitchen for final preparations, before sitting down to your gastronomic feast.

Available March to June, September to October - Saturday to Thursday

For further information see the Active Gourmet Holidays web site - click here

Cooking in Paris - Paris - Day Cooking Classes

Learn to cook in Paris! This cooking school offers half-day programs featuring a market visit, a hands-on cooking course, and a gourmet lunch in a renovated 18th century farm house. The experience begins with a market visit to shop for the day’s lesson and to discover the typical French open air market atmosphere. The lessons are truly hands-on, with one fully-equipped workstation for every two students. Lessons are taught in English.

Learn simple, yet elegant, recipes from a true Parisian woman! Enjoy a day cooking class in the heart of Paris. The course may start off with a market visit to select the ingredients for the class and may be followed with a gourmet visit to the local chocolatier or wine producer. Classes are usually held between 10:00am-12:30pm and are truly hands-on with one fully-equipped workstation for every two students.

Other programs may include instruction on authentic Provençal cooking, Tajines, festive meals, foie gras or more.

Do you have food that you would like to learn how to prepare for a special occasion such as a bridal shower, wedding or anniversary? Private lessons are also available so inquire within.

Team building cooking lessons are also very popular!

Cooking is a creative activity that can bring cohesion among the members of a group. It's also enjoyable and allows all the participants to get to know each other better. What a perfect (and fun) way to work together!

Available year round

For further information see the Active Gourmet Holidays web site - click here