Hands on Learning with expert Chef and Wine Connoisseurs
Since starting French Foodies Society I have been asked many times if I would host a French Gourmet Cooking Retreat in France. The idea is still in its infancy but I have clear ideas what I want to do.
If you are intestered please drop me an email at ian@frenchfoodiessociety.com and I will keep in touch with you as I firm up the details.
- The holiday will be 6 days long (you may want to take this to a wider holiday in Europe and France).
- The quality of the accommodation and kitchen will be second to none.
- It will be held in South West France
- Your hosts will be me and Norman & Jill. Norman and Jill are wine experts to WSET Level 3 and previously owned their own brewery in the Dordogne. I have 10 years experience cooking in France, owning two restaurants and as a private chef on France and the United Kingdom. (See the ABOUT tab for my full resumé). We are all fluent in French.
- The first Retreat will be in April/May 2026
- The maximum numbers will be 6-8 people, so you will have plenty of time with us.
- What’s included (and not included is set out at the bottom)
Day 1: Arrival & Culinary Introduction
Morning/Afternoon
- Transfer from local airport or TGV Station
- Arrive at your accommodation in a charming small village in the French countryside.
- Take a whilet to settle in and enjoy the surroundings.
- Meet your host or local guide, who will give you an overview of the week’s schedule and answer any questions.
Afternoon
- Start your immersion with a brief introductory cooking session focusing on simple, classic French hors d’œuvres. Learn basic knife skills, sauces, or a classic appetizer to get warmed up for the week.
- Relax with some free time to stroll the nearby village, pop into artisan shops, or rest after your journey.
Evening
- Enjoy an aperitif ( or the Apero hour as the French call it!)) where you’ll have a cocktail or drink while nibbling on local cheeses, charcuterie & olives. This is something we do every day before dinner
- Enjoy a 4 course meal with your hosts and get to know each other. Wines paired with each course are presented by our resident wine expert.
Day 2: Lets Get Cooking!!
Morning
- After a breakfast of pastries, fruit and yogurts we start our first morning at the market returning to the kitchen where we cover basic skills and prepare a light lunch to be taken on the terrace.
Afternoon
- Sit down to lunch and taste the meal you’ve just prepared, accompanied by a glass of local wine.
- Free time to be spent exploring the village or just spend time by the pool with a glass or two of something cool.
- Apero’s tonight are your first wine tasting session with Norman our wine expert, exploring the basics of French wine regions and varietals.
Evening
Relax withe a 4 course meal, including cheese prepared by Chef Ian, with digestifs to follow
Day 3: Bread-Baking & Michelin-Star Experience
Morning
- Dive into an intensive bread-baking workshop where you’ll learn the art of the perfect baguette and rustic loaves. Discover techniques for kneading, shaping, and scoring bread as the French have done for centuries.
Afternoon
- Relax over a light lunch, sampling the breads you made that morning along with local butter, tapenades, or charcuterie.
- The remainder of the afternoon can be free for personal exploration, or you could opt for an informal pastry demonstration (croissants, madeleines, or tarts) if you want to sharpen those baking skills further.
Evening
- Apero hour featuring your freshly baked bread plus local cheeses.
- Savor an unforgettable dinner at a nearby Michelin-starred restaurant. Indulge in a multi-course tasting menu, complete with expert wine pairings and modern twists on classic French cuisine.
Day 4: Vineyard Excursion & Regional Specialties
Morning
- Take a trip to a local vineyard or fromagerie to learn how French winemakers and cheesemakers craft their products. Explore the cellars, learn about terroir, and pick up pairing tips straight from the experts.
Afternoon
- Enjoy a picnic lunch amid vineyard views or indulge in a casual meal at a countryside bistro.
- Again spend your afternoon relaxing or maybe have a French lesson in the basics
Evening
- Unwind with apero hour back at your accommodation—sample wines from the vineyard visit, complemented by regional snacks.
- Dinner will be at home tonight, prepared by Chef Ian, anyone wishing to help and take deeper dives into French cooking is welcome to assist.
Day 5: French Classics & Local Life
Morning
- After breakfast, Start your day with a French Classic class, learning to make classics you can repeat a home and show off your newly found skills to your friends.
Afternoon
- Pop out for lunch at a local bistro, enjoying the neighborhood feel and soaking up local life.
- After lunch, partake in a dessert wine tasting or sweet pairing session, discovering how Sauternes, Muscat, or late-harvest wines accentuate the flavors of pastries and desserts.
Evening
- Evening apero session with light, sweet treats you prepared.
- Enjoy a 7 course tasting menu prepared by Chef Ian with matching wines again and the desserts we made earlier.
Day 6: Farewell Feast & Departure
Morning
- Wrap up your culinary adventure with one final cooking workshop, focusing on a signature regional dish—perhaps a classic like cassoulet (if you’re in the Southwest) or bouillabaisse (if you’re near the Mediterranean).
Afternoon
- Sit down to a farewell lunch featuring the dish you created, paired with wine from your tastings throughout the week.
- Depending on your travel plans, you may have time for a final stroll through the village or last-minute shopping for local specialties (olive oils, mustards, jams, etc.).
Evening
Depart to the airport after a wonderful week of exploring the cuisine of Gascony in South West France. Saying au revoir to your new friends
What’s included?
- Transfer to and from Bordeaux Airport
- All meals, wine, spirits and any other drinks
- Personalised French Foodies Society Apron
- Personalised Brochure outlining the final Itinery
- Continental Breakfast
- Dinner in Michelin Star restaurant with all drinks
- Lunch in Local Bistro with all drinks
- All excursions, including wine tastings
- All lessons on site
What’s not included?
- Flights
- Wines and drinks not selected by us
Maximum of 8 people , we have 4 double rooms
Price from £3950 per person sharing rooms, singles add £950.
