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Cooking (cookery) holidays and courses in Languedoc, south France |
The Languedoc is famous for its Mediterranean cuisine - from superb seafood available all along the coast, to gutsy hunting fare such as wild boar and pheasant. What better place to learn about French or Languedoc cooking? The cookery holidays in Languedoc listed below give you a chance to really get your teeth into the best that the region has to offer. Spend the morning shopping for ingredients in one of the area's many weekly markets - where you'll find France's best oysters, endless cheeses and charcuterie, freshly picked (and always seasonal) fruit and vegetables, and huge barrels of local olives and sun-dried tomatoes.
Accommodation is usually offered with these cookery courses, as well as some meals. Your instructor chefs will often also be able to give you a tour of the local wineries. Some of the courses in Languedoc, south France, are 1-day courses, so perfect for either local residents or visitors just looking for a day out from their regular holiday plans.
Simply click on any of the panels below to read more information on each cookery course or holiday: |
 1: Château de Quarante
What is it? |
 French cuisine courses run in a beautiful château just outside the village of Quarante, near the Canal du Midi in Languedoc, south France.
Learn to cook family meals, elegant buffets, creative brunches and spectacular desserts or gourmet picnics, French cooking is truly an ever changing daily celebration of life.
The courses mixes adventurous treks through open and covered markets with visits to small individual producers leaving plenty of time for cooking demonstrations with "hands on" experimenting and the pleasure to savor gourmet meals while discussing newly discovered recipes you can fix at home.
The Gourmet meals in this cookery course are planned around Languedoc's rich gastronomy and traditions. |
Where is it? |
 In the owners' château just outside the pretty village of Quarante, close to the Canal du Midi and Béziers. |
Who runs it? |
 At the Château de Quarante, Nicole, French born and raised on local recipes finely honed over several generations, opens wide her kitchen doors and invites you to discover old family recipes as well as Chefs' secrets she has incorporated in her gourmet cuisine with a new personal twist. |
When is it? |
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| How much is it? |
- €1000 per person - which includes:
• Late afternoon pick up in Béziers on Day 1
• Accommodation at the Château de Quarante (based on double occupancy)
• Daily Continental Breakfast
• Daily Gourmet Dinner (Beverages not included)
• Lunch on Days 2, 3 & 4 (Beverages not included)
• Cooking Sessions & Field Trips (including transportation) on Days 2, 3 & 4
• Morning Drop off in Béziers on Day 5
• All Taxes
Options:
A Customized Combo Package incorporating Cooking, Wine Tasting and Sightseeing can be organized.
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Who's it for? |
Anyone interested in improving their cooking skills - and who has an interest in French and Languedoc and south of France cuisine. |
Is accommodation offered? |
 Yes. Individual rooms within the château.
Cozy and bright, all their rooms (with private, en suite baths) have tall windows or balconies opening onto the park, and may be rented individually, by the night. |
Where can I get more info? |
Website: www.chateaudequarante.com
Phone: 00 33 (0)4 67 89 40 41
E-mail: chateau.quarante@wanadoo.fr |
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2: Bleu Cuisine
What is it? |
 Cookery courses / holidays run by a qualified chef in the ruggedly beautiful Corbières region of Languedoc, south France. Courses run for 1 day, 3 days, or 1 week. Courses cover Mediterranean and French cookery - and are suitable for cooks of all ages.
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Where is it? |
 In the village of 'Fitou', on the Mediterranean coast of Languedoc-Roussillon, France. Courses are held in the owners' traditional 600 year-old farmhouse with its own vineyard. |
Who runs it? |
 Marc Bienne is the resident chef and instructor - and is extremely friendly and pleasant!
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When is it? |
 Next course: April 23rd, 24th ant 25th, 2010
Plus various dates throughout the year. Please contact the organisers to find out when a course length that suits you will next be happening. |
| How much is it? |
- 1-day course:
€85 (no accommodation)
Included: Courses in the morning from 09.00am until 15.00 pm lunch offered
- 3-day course:
€255 for the course + €75 for accommodation
Included :
- 4 hours of courses per day
- lunches
- accommodation in a
shared "gîte" for 4 persons
- or B&B room for 2 persons (to be paid separately to the owner upon arrival)
- 1 week course:
€425 + €300 for accommodation
Included :
- 5 courses in the mornings from monday to friday
- 5
lunches during week days
- accommodation in a gîte for 4 persons from saturday 12.00 until saturday 12.00 (to be paid separately
to the owner upon arrival)
- accommodation also available in a B&B room for 2 persons
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Who's it for? |
 Any level of cook who wants to learn about Languedoc or southern French cuisine. |
Is accommodation offered? |
Yes. Two 'gîtes' and one guest B&B room |
Where can I get more info? |
Website: www.bleu-cuisine.com
Phone: (0033) 4 68 33 94 23
Mobile: (0033) 6 32 79 52 49
E-mail: bleu-cuisine@laposte.net |
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3: Petra Carter Cookery Courses
What is it? |
 Innovative, all-inclusive cookery courses for vibrant, modern food; geared towards those with little time on their hands but who still want to eat well and cook for friends. The courses combine fun and relaxation with practical knowledge.
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Where is it? |
 In Mirepeisset, close to Narbonne in the Languedoc, south of France. |
Who runs it? |
Petra Carter, chef and food writer with 20 years experience. |
When is it? |
 WEEKEND COURSES (3 full days, from friday till monday)
- EASY SUMMER may 21-24 - fabulous food for lazy days in good company
- SUMMER DAYS may 28-31 - the best of summer produce: think wild rocket, asparagus, baby artichokes, tiny broadbeans, fragrant cherries and berries, peaches and melons...
- SUMMER JOY june 25-28 - the ultimate summer course - perfect food for perfect weather!
- FAB FOOD ON A BUDGET september 24-27 - great dishes on a shoestring (and nobody will ever know...)
- DAILY SUPPER october 1-4 - put some new dash into your daily supper - more fun than any convenience food...
- CUPBOARD LOVE october 8-11 - always having something 'up one's sleeve' means being ready for the unexpected - super standby dishes from the larder
- MAN IN THE KITCHEN october 15-18 - for men who want to become pleasure-giving cooks (without exhausting themselves too much!)
- WINTER COMFORTS end november - warming comfort food for colder days
WEEK COURSES (7 full days, from sunday to sunday)
- COOKING FOR FRIENDS june 4-11 - relaxed food for the whole year around
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| How much is it? |
Please contact Petra Carter for up to date pricing.
Prices include all ground transport, accommodation, excursions, tutored wine tastings and all meals including wine. |
Who's it for? |
People with all levels of cooking experience. |
Is accommodation offered? |
 Yes. At the owner's B&B 'La Souqueto' in Languedoc, south of France, (meaning The Little Vine in local Patois) which is a sensitively restored and renovated Maison Bourgeoise. It offers great food, a friendly atmosphere and artistic inspiration.
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Where can I get more info? |
Website: www.petracarter.com
Phone: (0033) 4 68 40 77 18
E-mail: info@petracarter.com |
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4: Mediterranean Cookery Courses at Mas Saurine
What is it? |
 Cookery courses run by a professional cookery instructor, in a farmhouse near the Pyrénées in Languedoc, south of France.
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Where is it? |
 In a small village about 30 minutes drive east of Perpignan (and Perpignan Airport). This is a beautiful area of Languedoc, just beneath the towering Pyrénées - with lots to do nearby, including the Orgues de Roussillon, St Martin de Canigou, the Priory of Serrabone and the Train Jaune. The coastal town of Collioure is also not far. |
Who runs it? |
 Robert and Carolynn Hinde-Smith are your hosts. The cookery instructor is chef extraordinaire Julia Garrick, who has Cookery Diplomas in both England and France. She is great fun and a great tutor. She will demonstrate a full range of cooking techniques and help you to acquire a whole new level of cooking expertise and understanding of flavours.
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When is it? |
- Couses in May, June and September, 2010
- Contact the organisers for more details
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| How much is it? |
The cost for the week on full board is 950 Euros per person. Two cooks sharing a room is 850 Euros each per week and non cooking partners 720 Euros per week. |
Who's it for? |
These courses are suited to people of all cooking abilities. The only thing that you need bring with you is a love of good food and wine. |
Is accommodation offered? |
Yes. You'll stay at your hosts' beautiful farmhouse in the south of France, with garden and pool. Prices include full board. Collection from Perpignan airport and station included. |
Where can I get more info? |
Website: www.Mas-Saurine.com
Phone: (0033) 4 68 05 85 66
E-mail: carolynnhindesmith@hotmail.com |
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