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BREAKS COOKING : FRANCE |
COOKING
VACATIONS |
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THE
GOOD LIFE AT DOMAINE LA VERONIQUE
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. . Gourmet Breaks and Cookery Workshops in Languedoc
Without a doubt one of the major attractions of a visit to
France is the opportunity to sample outstanding French cuisine.
Great food served with great wines in exceptional settings
has been drawing holiday makers from all over the globe for
decades. Of course budget, time constrictions and lack of
local knowledge can often be a hindrance. So, for those of
you looking for a guarantee of excellent French cuisine in
an idyllic location, day after day and night after night,
Peter and Sally Shaw supply the perfect solution.
Peter is a gourmet chef, with 15 years experience
in the hospitality industry, and he loves to put a modern
slant on traditional dishes. He uses only the best quality,
fresh produce from the area, and is an acknowledged expert
on the cheeses of France. He has an expansive knowledge of
the wines of the Languedoc and loves to introduce people to
these exciting new wines.
You will be wined and dined by Peter, and Sally
will take you on excursions to discover the history and local
sites of the Languedoc. She is also a musician so you might
have a chance to hear her singing or playing the piano.
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Gourmet holidays with excursions
Exclusive gourmet holidays where guests are served delicious
gourmet menus everyday in a setting steeped in history and
atmosphere, and taken out on tailor-made excursions to explore
the region. This can be for a minimum of three nights, or
up to any number of nights. The choice is yours! Also take
a look at our Gourmet Weekend Breaks.
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Cookery Workshops
Peter offers cooking and wine pairing workshops, for individuals
or groups, where you can observe and learn how to make wonderful
meals matched with appropriate wines. This is a hands-on
experience. We supply the aprons! If you have partners not
wanting to take part in the cooking workshops, Sally will
entertain the rest of the group with excursions to local
sites.
Peter will supply menus and recipes for the workshops.
The workshops will show you how to prepare the majority
of dishes you will be eating at lunch and dinner throughout
your stay. It is a hands on experience and aprons
are provided!
This is just a suggested itinerary and menus, as we prefer
to tailor-make your itinerary and menus to suit
your interests, and passions.
Traditionally Peter serves three cheeses at lunch time,
and one cheese with dinner. He will tell you the history
of each cheese, and will entertain you with some enchanting
‘cheese stories'.
DAY 1
Sally will be waiting to greet you at your pre-arranged
pickup point. She will then transfer you directly to Domaine
La Veronique. Once you've settled in to your rooms, join
Peter and Sally for a champagne welcome on the terrace.
Take a stroll, or enjoy a quick dip in the pool, before
aperitifs and your first gastronomic experience.
DINNER
Courgette and Parmesan Gateau with Red Pepper
Sauce
Quail Veronique
Dauphinoise Potatoes and Crushed Broccoli
Fresh Strawberries with Almond Shortcakes and a Creme
de Fraise Jelly
DAY 2
a.m. Cooking workshop - preparing lunch
and dinner.
LUNCH
Baked Fennel wrapped in Bayonne Ham
Tomato and Pepper Tart in a Parmesan Crust
Spinach salad
p.m. Sally will take you to Pezenas, a
Merchant Town near Beziers, dating back to mediaeval times
and made famous by Moliere and Clive of India. Stroll through
the narrow cobbled streets of the old quarter of Pezenas,
and you take a walk right back in time - here to the Middle
Ages with gargoyles peering eerily from the Hotel Jacques
Coeur, there to the Renaissance period before original mullioned
windows. The entire old town is rich with wonderful wrought
iron balconies, stone sculptures and ornate doorways. There
are also wonderful little shops and cafes to enjoy.
DINNER
Cauliflower and Roquefort Souffle with Creme
Fraiche and Chive Sauce
Roast Guinea Fowl on a bed of Depuy Lentils with
a brunoise of vegetables
Bitter Chocolate and Ginger Mousse
DAY 3
a.m. Excursion to Narbonne. Peter will
take you round the outstanding covered food market ‘Les
Halles', specifically the fish stalls. He will choose which
fresh fish you will be cooking for your dinner. Afterwards,
Sally will then take you to the amazing gothic Cathedral
with one of the highest naves in France, walk along the
Via Domitia (a recently uncovered Roman road ), visit the
Horreum (Roman underground tunnels where they used to store
the food for open-air markets) or just do some shopping
in the chic boutiques on the charming pedestrianised streets.
LUNCH
at Chez Bebelle, a restaurant
in Les Halles, Narbonne where
they use the finest and most fresh ingredients of the market
p.m. Cooking workshop preparing dinner.
DINNER
Gazpacho
Fish from the market and its accompaniments
Brioche Pudding with Argen Prunes Marinated in Armagnac
with Creme Anglais
DAY 4
a.m. Cooking Workshop preparing today's
lunch, plus Duck Confit (for Cassoulet) and Foie Gras for
Day 6.
LUNCH
Endive Salad with Walnuts and Roquefort
Beetroot and Potato Tart
p.m. Sally will lead you on a walk, straight
from La Veronique, up in to the hills and through the woods
to the nearby Priory of Sainte Christophe. Supposedly there
was a tunnel that used to connect Veronique to the priory!!
Back to La Veronique to refresh before going out for a wine
tasting at nearby Domaine Milhau.
DINNER
at Chateau Carrasses a
local restaurant that shows
the typical Spanish influence on food in the Languedoc
DAY 5
a.m. Cooking workshop preparing lunch
and dinner
LUNCH
Baked Red Peppers with Feta and Mint
Fillet Mignon of Pork, wrapped in Bacon on Quinoa
and Bulgur Wheat
p.m. An excursion to the Olive Oil factory
at Bize, followed by a visit to the goat's cheese farm at
Combebelle. See the goats being milked and taste their delicious
range of fresh and aged cheeses. Next door to the goats
cheese farm there is the very interesting vineyard of Combebelle,
which is run organically. All will be explained by the owner
as she takes us round the vineyard, and then for a tasting
in the cave.
DINNER
Beetroot and Smoked Trout Trifle, with an Avocado
Custard
Duck Breast on a Tagliatelli of Noodles, Zucchini
and Carrot with Plum Sauce
Cold Lemon Souffle
DAY 6
a.m. A morning visit to Carcassonne, La
Cite, the finest example of a mediaeval walled city in the
whole of Europe. Marvel at the towers and defense walls
(parts dating back to Roman times) which protected the inner
castle.
LUNCH
Tri-colore Salad with Pesto Dressing
‘Cassoulet' Maison (Local dish of Castelnaudry)
p.m. Cooking workshop preparing dinner
Early evening there will be a wine tasting at La Veronique
with Master of Wine, Juliet Bruce-Jones.
DINNER
Duck Foie Gras on Brioche Toast and Pear
Fillet of Limosin Beef with three purees
Yorkshire Pudding and Sauce Minervois
Creme de Framboise Jelly, Bitter Chocolate Genache,
White chocolate mousse with Vodka
DAY 7
After breakfast, sadly we say our goodbyes, and then Sally
will take you to your pre-arranged drop-of point.
FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION VISIT WWW.HEREONTHESPOT.COM
The emphasis of the stay is on superb food, using the finest
local produce, matched with the best quality wines of the
Languedoc. This accompanied with the fantastic backdrop of
Domaine La Veronique and the wonders of the Languedoc will
create a holiday you'll never forget.
Each day you will be presented with a wonderful breakfast
of cereals, fruits and yoghurts, breads and croissants, ham,
smoked salmon, eggs etc. For lunch Peter offers a lighter
meal, with a main dish and salads, followed by a choice of
cheeses. Not one cheese will be replicated in the week, so
you will have chance to experience over 20 cheeses. Dinner
is more formal with 4 courses. Both lunch and dinner are complimented
by Peter's choice of wines from the region and again he doesn't
replicate, so you will experience over 30 wines throughout
your stay, disregarding wine tasting excursions! Weather permitting,
lunch and dinner will be served outside. Breakfast will be
set up inside, but feel free to take it anywhere you want!
There will be excursions each morning, returning to La Veronique
for your sumptuous lunch. The afternoons will be mainly up
to you, although if you are inclined, we might slot in a couple
of wine tastings, or shorter excursions to a goat farm or
an olive factory. You can relax by the pool, or have a game
of boule. Or perhaps you'd prefer to walk in to the beautiful
surrounding countryside. Sally has route plans for short or
long walks, and is happy to guide you if you prefer not to
go by yourselves.
Aperitifs will be served anytime after 6pm and your gastronomic
evening meal will be served at around 8pm, unless requested
otherwise. What better way to start your evening than sitting
in the beautiful garden, sipping your martini, whilst listening
to the cicadas and Sally “tinkling the ivories” in the
background!
GOURMET WEEKEND BREAKS
3 nights - minimum 4 people
The price includes all accommodation, food, drinks, pick-ups/drop-offs
and excursions.
The following itinerary and menus are an example only. All
itineraries will be tailor-made to suit each groups preferences.
All wines served are from the Languedoc. A white, rose and
red wine are served with lunch, and a white, red and dessert
wine are served with dinner. Aperitifs can be a choice of
wines or spirits.
DAY 1
Sally will be waiting to greet you at your pre-arranged
pickup point. She will then transfer you directly to Domaine
La Veronique. Once you've settled in to your rooms, join
Peter and Sally for a champagne welcome on the terrace.
Take a stroll, or enjoy a quick dip in the pool, before
aperitifs and your first gastronomic experience.
Aperitifs served from 6:00pm
Dinner served at 8:00pm
DINNER
Courgette and Parmesan Gâteau with Red Pepper Sauce roquefort
with pears
Quail Veronique
Dauphinoise Potatoes and Crushed Broccoli
Roquefort with Pears and Walnuts
Fresh Strawberries with Almond Shortcakes and a Creme de Fraise
Jelly
DAY 2
Breakfast will be from 8:00am, and will include cereals;
yoghurts; fruits; a selection of breads and pastries; smoked
salmon or ham; eggs; tea, coffee and freshly squeezed orange
juice.
10:00am Cooking workshop - Peter will teach you how to
make the dishes you will be eating at lunch and his unforgettable
Ginger and Chocolate Mousse for dinner.
LUNCH
Baked Fennel wrapped in Bayonne Ham
Tomato and Pepper Tart in a Parmesan Crust
Spinach salad
Cheeseboard
In the afternoon, Sally will take you to Pezenas, a Merchant
Town near Beziers, dating back to mediaeval times and made
famous by Moliere and Clive of India. Stroll through the
narrow cobbled streets of the old quarter of Pezenas, and
you take a walk right back in time - here to the Middle
Ages with gargoyles peering eerily from the Hotel Jacques
Coeur, there to the Renaissance period before original mullioned
windows. The entire old town is rich with wonderful wrought
iron balconies, stone sculptures and ornate doorways. There
are also wonderful little shops and cafes to enjoy.
Back to La Veronique for Aperitifs
Dinner at 8:00pm
DINNER
Beetroot and Smoked Trout Trifle, with an Avocado
Custard savoury trifle 2
Duck Breast on a Tagliatelli of Noodles, Courgette and Carrot
with Plum Sauce
Brie de Meaux
Bitter Chocolate and Ginger Mousse with Capuccino Foam
DAY 3
Breakfast from 8:00am
9:30 Excursion to Narbonne. Peter will take you round the
outstanding covered food market ‘Les Halles', to show
you the amazing array of fresh produce. Afterwards, Sally
will take you to the impressive gothic Cathedral with one
of the highest naves in France. Narbonne was the capital
city of Roman Gaul. Walk along the Via Domitia (recently
uncovered Roman road ), visit the Horreum (Roman underground
tunnels where they used to store the food for open-air markets)
or just do some shopping in the chic boutiques, or watch
the world go by whilst drinking coffee in one of the local
cafes.
Back to La Veronique for Lunch.
LUNCH
Tricolor Salad with Pesto Dressing
Seafood Platter
Cheeseboard
Relax by the pool, or take a walk straight from the house
in to the beautiful countryside, to build up an appetite
for your last evening dinner. Alternatively Sally can take
you on a short excursion to see the Etang de Montady, and
then a wine tasting at the local Domaine Milhau.
Aperitifs from 6:00pm, when Sally will entertain you with
a selection of songs.
Dinner at 8:00pm
DINNER
Seared Foie Gras on Brioche Toast and Pear
Fillet of Limosin Beef with three purees
Yorkshire Pudding and Sauce Minervois
Combebelle Fresh Goats Cheese
Creme de Framboise Jelly, Bitter Chocolate Genache,
White chocolate mousse with Vodka
DAY 4
Breakfast from 8:00am
We say our goodbyes, and then Sally will take you to your
pre-arranged drop-off point.
FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION VISIT WWW.HEREONTHESPOT.COM
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COOKING
HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION |
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Peter and Sally Shaw welcome you to their home
Domaine La Veonique, a beautiful stone built farmhouse that
was originally an old hermitage connected with the nearby
Priory of Sainte Christophe. In the heart of the Languedoc
region of France, Domaine La Veronique has an acre of land,
and beautiful 360º views across vineyards and out to the
Pyrenees. and its one acre garden is littered with garrigue
herbs, olive, almond, fig and pomegranate trees.
There are three beautiful guests rooms with
en-suite bathrooms, and each bedroom can be made up as a king
size double bed or as twin beds. The ground-floor bedroom
has wheelchair access.
There is a comfortable living room (with grand
piano, TV, sound system and WIFI internet access), a dining
area and an immaculate kitchen for cooking demonstrations.
Outside there is a wonderful swimming pool with
beach area for easy access, several sitting areas with views
over the countryside, terraces with tables for Al Fresco dining
and a boulodrome. You can walk straight from the Domaine into
the countryside, up in to the hills or down in to the valley.
It is the ideal setting for a quiet walk or a relaxing dip
in the swimming pool, and for a holiday with gourmet meals,
amazing wines and excursions to local sites.
FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION VISIT WWW.HEREONTHESPOT.COM
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