Christmas Culinary Adventure
This culinary adventure begins on the Friday early evening with champagne followed by a six-course gourmet dinner where you will have the opportunity to get to know your fellow guest/participants and sample the style of food you will be learning to cook for the rest of the course.
The rest of the week comprises of; Saturday morning we will go shopping in the beautiful market in Laval.
We will spend the morning like the locals, exploring all the fresh seasonal specialties the market has to offer. Immerse yourself in full French culture with a Market Tour.
After lunch it will be hands-on in the kitchen, preparing dinner.
Sunday will be hands-on in the kitchen, at 16.00 we will go to Laval to enjoy the Christmas light all around the town and the chateau.
Then it is back in the kitchen for dinner.
A full day in the kitchen on Monday, mostly hands-on. Tuesday again is hands-on until lunchtime.
After lunch we will discover Vitré (or Fougères for returning customers), the historical centre of the medieval city with its beautiful castle, cobbled streets, and old half-timbered houses… Time to discover Vitré Christmas light, a time to relax and shop!
We shall be back in the kitchen for the finishing touches of cooking and presenting dinner.
Wednesday is the last day in the kitchen and it will be hands-on again creating dinner.
The aim of this course is to build on each of the clients existing skills so that they leave feeling very confident, with a far greater understanding of ingredients & techniques so that they can take their cooking to the next level.
The itinerary may be subject to change according to the market in order to take advantage of the seasonal/regional foods.
Day 1 - Friday
Arrival in the afternoon
17.00 – Introductory talk with complimentary champagne and canapés,
Discussing aims and course structure
18.00 – Dinner 6-course gourmet dinner
Menu
Seared foie gras with pear and balsamic reduction
Seabass with Jerusalem artichoke
Champagne sauce
Apple and calvados sorbet
Beef filet tournedos, celeriac and truffle purée
Wild mushroom sauce
Cheese
Passion fruit and orange bavarois, honeycomb and meringue
Tea and coffee
Day 2 - Saturday
It’s market day in Laval,
We will spend the morning like the locals, exploring all the fresh seasonal specialties the market has to offer. Immerse yourself in full French culture with a Market Tour.
8.45 – Breakfast
9.15 – Off to Laval, market shopping
Back for lunch at 13h
14h – In the kitchen, hands-on cooking class
18.00- Dinner
Menu
Scallop carpaccio with Kaviari Oscietra Caviar
Gin and Tonic Sorbet
Duck à l’orange, spinach and crispy potato terrine
Cheese
Iced tiramisu parfait with confit chestnut purée
Tea and coffee
Day 3 - Sunday
8.45 – Breakfast
9.15 – In the kitchen, hands-on cooking class
12.00 – lunch
13.00 – In the kitchen, hands-on cooking class
16.00 – Off to Laval to see the Christmas light and
Christmas market
Back at 19.00
20.00 – Dinner
Menu
Langoustine tartar, Carrot mousse and Campari espuma
Bloody Mary Sorbet
Beef bourguignon and gratin dauphinois
(ox cheek or oxtail)
cheese
Vanilla and Tonka bean crème brulée, chilli and coconut ice cream
Tea and coffee
Day 4 - Monday
8.45 – Breakfast
9.15 – In the kitchen, hands-on cooking class
13.00 – lunch
14.00 – In the kitchen, hands-on cooking class
18.00 – Dinner
Menu
Foie gras tortellini, pea purée and truffle foam
Crab mini croque monsieur with a 63° egg
Lemon sorbet
Stuffed quail, braised red cabbage, spicy pumpkin tarte tatin
Port and juniper réduction
Cheese
Grand Marnier soufflé, lemon verbena sorbet, orange marmelade pim’s
Tea and coffee
Day 5 - Tuesday
8.45 – Breakfast
9.15 – In the kitchen, hands-on cooking class
lunch at 13h
14.00 – In the kitchen, hands-on cooking class
16.00 – Off to Vitré, medieval town and chateau,
shopping, and Christmas light
Back at 19h
20.00 – Dinner
Menu
Cod filet cooked in fig leaves milk, roasted root vegetable
jus scented with coffee
French onion soup with cheese croutons
Pear williams Sorbet
Duck leg confit, braised lentils and chestnut
gaufrette potatoes
Cheese
Christmas yule log
(buche de Noël)
Tea and coffee
Day 6 - Wednesday
8.45 – Breakfast
9.15 – In the kitchen, hands-on cooking class
13.00 – lunch
14.00 – In the kitchen, hands-on cooking class
18.00 – Dinner
Menu
Paté en croute (Traditional French meat pie)
Venison and pork
Wholegrain mustard ice cream and pickles
Lobster bisque, smoked paprika toast
Mojito Sorbet
Medley of chicken (4 ways) with
pumpkin purée &
a béarnaise sauce
Cheese
Coffee and baileys cheesecake with
chocolate and earl grey tea ice cream
Tea and coffee
Day 7 - Thursday
9.00 – Breakfast
10.00 – Departure
Price - Christmas culinary adventure
Euros € 5990.00 for 2 persons,
shared ensuite bedroom with
twin beds or double bed.
What's included
What's not included
– Travel
– Laundry (€25 Euros)
– Wine and alcoholic beverages
Wine and other alcoholic beverages can be purchased from our bar