|
A Taste of Provence
A culinary vacation in a charming perched village
in the heart of the Bandol vineyard (close to the Riviera)
>> itinerary
>> prices
>> dates
Cooking at starred-chef René Berard’s « Bastide des Saveurs » is an experience meant to be enjoyed, savored, and remembered for years.
The cooking school with its organic garden producing vegetables and herbs, is simply outstanding, as well as the 200-year-old three-star hotel owned by the family, which is set in a cluster. Both are located in the lovely hilltop village of La Cadiere d’Azur which overlooks the Bandol vineyards and the Provence landscape.
  
The location
La Cadiere d’Azur is a charming Provencal hilltop village where you will find the love of tradition, good living, fine food and wine. Your home for five nights is the Hostellerie Berard, a delightful country inn in the heart of the village, set amid a cluster of beautifully restored old buildings, including an eleventh-century monastery with vaulted rooms, all surrounding the pool.
The Hostellerie boasts two wonderful restaurants : one an elegant gastronomic restaurant, the other a more casual but equally charming bistro.
The Berard family have owned the property since it opened, and running the hotel is truly a family affair. The lovely and charming Madame Berard may the person who welcomes you to the hotel; Sandra, her daughter, will assist you with any request, and Chef Rene Berard and his son Jean-Francois will lead your cooking lessons.
  
The cooking classes
Born in the village of La Cadiere, Chef Rene Berard’s richly innovative cuisine is based on the traditional flavors and fragrances of Provence and the Mediterranean, and cooked using the finest local products. The “cuisine of the sun” is Chef Berard’s passion and a formidable way of sharing his love of the Provencal terroir and traditions with his guests. The chef’s cuisine reflects to perfection the seasons of Provence, and the program offers an exceptional introduction to his skill and craft. Although Chef Berard has won numerous awards and is held in the highest esteem by his peers, his true love is teaching and creating the same passion in his students. Lessons are taught a couple kilometers outside the village in the “Bastide des Saveurs,” a small house wonderfully outfitted and used exclusively for the cooking lessons, surrounded by exquisite herb and vegetable gardens.
> TOP
SAMPLE ITINERARY
> Day 1 (Sunday)
Arrival by your own and check-in at the hotel.
Welcome dinner at Hostellerie Berard and night.
> Day 2 (Monday)
After your breakfast you will begin your first cooking lesson in « La Bastide des Saveurs » located a mile down the hill and hotel. Today, you will pick some fresh herbs from the vegetable garden for use in your recipes and the course will focus on the meat.
Lunch with wine to follow
Afternoon visit to a local food artisan, such as a local cheesemaker
Dinner on your own, maybe choose to dine in the hotel restaurant or in one of the local restaurants in town.
Night at the Hostellerie Berard
> Day 3 (Tuesday)
After the breakfast is an excursion to Sanary harbour and a visit of the country market with the Chef. You will choose the ingredients for the fish dish to be prepared in your second lesson.
Lunch of your efforts with fine local wine
In the afternoon, visit to a local producer of Bandol wine followed by a tasting.
Dinner on your own and night at the Hostellerie Berard
> Day 4 (Wednesday)
Morning cooking lesson with the Provencal vegetables : stuffed vegetables, aubergine caviar, tian, truccia...
Lunch with wine to follow
An afternoon visit to an elegant estate where top quality olive oil is produced, concluding with a tasting of tapenade made especially for you
Dinner on your own and night at the Hostellerie Berard
> Day 5 (Thursday)
Your last cooking lesson is devoted to pastries : crusty with honey, melting with the chocolate, sorbets
Lunch with wine
Afternoon visit of a honeybee farm
Dinner by your own and night at the hotel.
> Day 6 (Friday)
Breakfast, followed by a reluctant adieu !
> TOP
PRICES PER PERSON
US$ 2,200.00 (based on double occupancy)
Non-cooking participant : $ 1,295.00
June & July tours supplement : $ 170.00
Single supplement : $ 450.00
It includes : 5 nights accomodation at Hotel*** Berard (double occupancy), 4 hands-on three-hour cooking classes followed by the lunch with the drinks included, 5 breakfasts buffet, visits as mentioned in the itinerary, welcoming dinner on Sunday (without drinks), the recipes in English.
Not included : airfare to/from the USA, dinners on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, transfers (about 120 euro by taxi to and from Marseille airport), personal expenses.
Please note that a car is highly recommended to reach the cooking school and for the visits locally. Car rentals are available at Marseille airport. You can also make your car reservation with the airfare directly from the US.
> TOP
2010 TOUR DATES
May 2-7
May 16-21
May 30 - June 4
June 13-18
June 27 - July 2
July 4-9
September 12-17
September 26 - October 1
October 10-15
October 24-29
> TOP
>> ENROLL
|
