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

 – Champagne on arrival
 – 6 night ensuite accommodation
 – All food including 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 6 dinners
 – Soft drinks all day
 – All tuition with a professional French chef
 – All equipment needed
 – Excursion to Laval’s market, shopping and Christmas light
 – Excursion to Vitré, medieval town, chateau, shopping and Christmas light
 – Transport from Laval train station at scheduled times
 – Molton Brown toiletries
 – Menu and recipe folder to take home
 – Course certificate
 – Free Wifi

What's not included

 – Travel

 – Laundry (€25 Euros)

 – Wine and alcoholic beverages

Wine and other alcoholic beverages can be purchased from our bar