Cooking holidays and wine

Spicy tomato and chorizo soup from the kitchen of a French chef

Spicy tomato and chorizo soup from the kitchen of a French chef

This spicy tomato and chorizo soup recipe comes from the kitchen of our hosts Freya and Chef Maynard at their gourmet cookery school in the heart of the Loire Valley. Once you’ve sampled this delicious recipe, you can join their gourmet cookery holiday in France – the home of gourmet cuisine – to try your hand […]

by August 20, 2017 Recipes
Puglia, Italy’s most underrated holiday destination

Puglia, Italy’s most underrated holiday destination

Puglia is one of the most underrated regions in Italy, flying under the radar as regions like Chianti, Tuscany, the Venetian Riviera, and the Cinque Terre take centre stage. A bit of background This fertile area in Southern Italy forms the heel of country’s boot. Not widely renowned as a tourist hot spot, […]

by August 19, 2017 Cooking holidays and wine, Travel news
Pistachio shortbread from our French chef

Pistachio shortbread from our French chef

This homemade pistachio shortbread comes from the professional kitchen of our hosts Freya and Chef Maynard at their gourmet cookery school in the heart of the Loire Valley, so there’s not better place to find a delicious recipe. Once you’ve sampled their delectable recipes, you can join them for a gourmet cookery holiday in France – […]

by August 18, 2017 Recipes
Guest review: Sue and Richard share their French cooking holiday experience in Bordeaux

Guest review: Sue and Richard share their French cooking holiday experience in Bordeaux

Sue and Richard both love to cook, so a holiday that combines a perfect setting, lovely, cosy accommodation, great food and wine, and excellent, but laid back cooking tuition was something they always thought about doing together. As they were searching for a French cooking holiday that fit the bill, Google […]

Homemade doughnuts with strawberry compote recipe from a French chef

Homemade doughnuts with strawberry compote recipe from a French chef

Just looking at the picture of these doughnuts made our mouths water, so we had to share it. Straight from the kitchen of our hosts Freya and Chef Maynard at their gourmet cookery school in the heart of the Loire Valley, this dessert recipe is professionally made but still easy to follow. Serves: […]

by July 22, 2017 Recipes
Guest review: Elaine shares her cooking holiday experience in Tuscany

Guest review: Elaine shares her cooking holiday experience in Tuscany

Recently, we were able to sit down with Elaine, who recently travelled to Italy for an all-inclusive cooking and wine break in Tuscany. We chatted about her first experience with an all-inclusive holiday and her thoughts on Italian food and wine (emphasis on the wine) as well as her local host, […]

Crab, prawn and ginger spring rolls recipe

Crab, prawn and ginger spring rolls recipe

This Asian recipe comes from the professional kitchen of our hosts Freya and Chef Maynard at their gourmet cookery school in the heart of the Loire Valley. While the school is in France, Chef Maynard’s skills range way beyond French cuisine, as you’ll see once you try this fantastic recipe. Serves: 4 Ingredients 1 egg […]

by July 15, 2017 Recipes
Why Tuscany still deserves a spot on your bucket list

Why Tuscany still deserves a spot on your bucket list

Undoubtedly a region suited to the finer things in life, Tuscany is renowned for many things — its artistic, architectural, and gastronomic delights are just part of what makes the rolling green hills and warm climate of this Italian region a place every type traveller should visit. For culture enthusiasts In Florence, the […]

Lasagna di carciofi (artichoke lasagna) – traditional Italian recipe

Lasagna di carciofi (artichoke lasagna) – traditional Italian recipe

This authentic Italian artichoke lasagna recipe comes from our incredible hosts at their Italian cookery school in the heart of the Tuscany, meaning it’s definitely the real deal. Once you’ve sampled this classic main dish, you can join them for a gourmet cookery holiday in the gorgeous Tuscan countryside. Serves: 6 […]

by July 9, 2017 Recipes
The art of cooking artichokes – preparing carciofi trifolati the Italian way

The art of cooking artichokes – preparing carciofi trifolati the Italian way

Cooking artichokes can be a tricky business. Luckily, when you have the recipe of a local Tuscan chef, they’re a breeze. Our hosts in Italy know how to prepare them, and do it well, and have shared their secrets below. Serves: 6 Ingredients 12 artichokes 1 lemon 2 cloves of garlic 6 […]

by July 2, 2017 Recipes
9 amazing food and wine holidays in France

9 amazing food and wine holidays in France

France exudes class and luxury in every corner — especially when it comes to food and wine. To help you experience the best of the French, below are our top 9 cookery holidays and wine tasting experiences in France. Bon appetit! Learn to prepare a full-course dinner in quaint Gramont On […]

by July 1, 2017 Cooking holidays and wine
Bechamel sauce from the kitchen of our Italian chefs

Bechamel sauce from the kitchen of our Italian chefs

Bechamel sauce makes a great addition to your cooking repertoire and can be used in a variety of dishes (including our artichoke lasagna recipe!). Plus, when your recipe comes from authentic Italian chefs and their Italian cookery school in the heart of Tuscany, you know it’s going to be good. Makes 3 […]

by June 25, 2017 Recipes
Pasta fresca (fresh pasta) recipe from our Tuscan chefs

Pasta fresca (fresh pasta) recipe from our Tuscan chefs

No better source exists for a fresh pasta recipe than an authentic Italian chef. That’s why we’ve asked our hosts in Tuscany at their Italian cookery school to share theirs. Seriously, does it get more Italian than that? Serves: 4 Ingredients 400g of flour 4 eggs 4 tbs of white wine (optional) […]

by June 22, 2017 Recipes
Tips for beginner cooks from a French chef

Tips for beginner cooks from a French chef

We recently sat down with French chef, Marlene to chat about her cookery school and her top tips for beginner cooks hoping to improve their skills.

How to speak ‘wino’: top wine terms to make you sound like an expert

How to speak ‘wino’: top wine terms to make you sound like an expert

While you’re pretty set if you say anything like, ‘I’m sensing a bit of an oak flavour’ or ‘the legs on this wine are fabulous,’ it sometimes helps to have an actual idea of the wine terms you’re using. Whether it’s just to stop the awkward encounter with the waiter who asks […]

by April 23, 2017 Cooking holidays and wine