Gourmet holidays near La Rochelle, France

Book today and you could experience the culinary delights of this unique holiday. Present food like the professionals and come away with lifelong cooking skills. It is perfect for both the experienced cook and the novice. Small groups in each cookery holiday will ensure there is plenty of individual attention.

Cooking, visiting organic food markets, wine tasting at a local vineyard and of course enjoying your beautifully cooked dishes are just some of the highlights of this culinary experience.

A typical 3 night itinerary:

Friday
- Champagne reception on arrival and meet with our chef
- Take your first hands-on cooking lesson and prepare your evening meal

Saturday
- Continental breakfast
- A hands-on cooking lesson followed by lunch
- A trip to the local vineyard for a tour and wine tasting
- Enjoy dinner at the villa prepared by the chef

Sunday
- Continental breakfast
- A hands-on cooking lesson followed by lunch
- A chance to explore the historic town with its beautiful Abbey and boat trips along “Green Venice”
- Enjoy an evening meal at a lovely local restaurant

Monday
- After a continental breakfast it is time for departure

Example dishes:
Caramelised scallops with a cauliflower purée
Spinach ravioli with sage butter
Seared fillet of salmon with sautéed spinach and lobster sauce
Crisp confit duck leg with braised puy lentils and balsamic vinegar

Pierre Losito has 28 years experience of working as a chef all over the world including South Africa, the USA, the UK and Saudi Arabia. His training at Raymond Blanc’s cookery school led him to take up teaching. Pierre is bilingual and all his classes are held in English. He lives in the Vendée region with his partner and two children.

He believes anyone can be a great cook.

3 Night Cooking Holiday - £595
Non-Cooking Partner - £245

Prices quoted above are per person.

What's Included:
- 3 hands on cooking classes
- 3 nights accommodation
- Meals listed in the itinerary including wine
- Trip to a local food market
- Private wine tasting experience
- Champagne reception on arrival
- Flavours of France cooking apron
- Personalised folder of recipes

Awarded four stars by the French Tourist Board, this is the perfect villa for a wonderful cooking holiday where the beautiful countryside setting is guaranteed to relax you.

Starting life as a disused barn, the property has been transformed into a luxury holiday home by the Pickett family who moved to France in 2003. This peaceful retreat, affectionately known as The Hidden Courtyard, has been providing memorable holidays for five years.

Facilities at the villa include:
• 5 spacious bedrooms
• Large kitchen and dining area
• Satellite TV, DVD and surround sound
• Contemporary bathrooms
• Jacuzzi hot tub

The villa is in the vibrant, beautiful village of Maillezais which has several restaurants, cafés and shops. It is in the Marais Poitevin area of the Vendée region and the 11th century St Peter’s Abbey with its Romanesque architecture attracts visitors from all over the world.

Beneath the walls of the great abbey you can hire a traditional flat bottom boat with or without a guide and explore what is known as the “Venice Vert” or Green Venice. These waterways are an enchanting highlight and a great way to discover this picturesque part of the region. Many of the restaurants in the area are located by the side of the canals with lovely views over the water.

Things to see and do in the area include:
• St Peter’s Cathedral
• Notre Dame church at Fontenay le Comte
• Visit the honey house in Maillezais
• Take a boat ride on the Green Venice
• Go horse riding at a local riding centre
• Walk or cycle through the beautiful Mervent Forest
• Play golf at one of the five courses of the Vendée

AIR –
Nearest Airport La Rochelle, 45 mins from Maillezais, accessible by:
Ryanair (London Stansted, Dublin)
EasyJet (London Gatwick, Bristol)
Flybe (Birmingham, Manchester, Southampton, Glasgow)

Other Airports:
Poitiers (108km)
Nantes (126km)

CAR –
La Rochelle to Maillezais – 45 mins
Poitiers Airport to Maillezais –1h 20 mins