French Cookery Break

Highlights

  • Stay in a lovely ensuite room complete with modern comforts.
  • Includes hearty breakfasts, light lunches and 3 course dinners.
  • Guided trip to a nearby market and visit to a local producer.
From £695 pp
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What you'll do

Overview

Whip up delicious French classics on this unique 3 night cooking break set in a charming farmhouse in the heart of Normandy; hands-on cookery lessons will have you preparing, cooking and, of course, eating 3 courses while staying in a family-run B&B in the Manche area of the region.

If you’re in search of a crash course in French classics, look no further. With a maximum class size of 4, it is all about mastering the dishes you want to cook at your own speed.

This cooking break is perfect for couples or friends looking to get to know Normandy’s rich gastronomic scene but if you are going at it alone – perfect! There are no single supplements and you get the 1 on 1 hands on professional attention from start to finish of the perfect 3 course French meal.

Offering a truly unique hands-on culinary experience, the cooking lessons aim to give a real insight into the seasonal local produce available in the area – you’ll even be visiting a nearby market and local producer to pick up the fresh ingredients you’ll need each day. All lessons are held in a delightful French kitchen, using the Everhot range cooker.

The newly renovated accommodation is intimate and warm, with 3 gorgeous ensuite rooms, all tastefully decorated with modern comforts, a living and dining room complete with wood burning fires, and a patio out back with a fire pit to enjoy in the evenings as you stargaze.

Whilst with your hosts David and Alyson, you don’t need to worry about a thing – gorgeous breakfast spreads and 4 course dinners are broken up with a light lunch of Charcuterie and local breads and cheeses. Due to their local knowledge, they’ll also be able to help you explore the area and its wide array of historic sites.

Arrival

You’ll arrive in the afternoon and settle in, then meet your hosts before dinner to discuss your menus and programme together over a welcome drink.

Afterwards, sit down and tuck into a 4 course dinner.

Accommodation

Your accommodation is in a beautiful 3 room B&B, each room equal in classic warm décor with modern conveniences. Your hosts have put every care into making sure there is a fire pit on the patio to enjoy the night sky, or a good book or game at hand to have in front of the wood burning fires.

Features
– Stay in 1 of 3 beautiful ensuite rooms in the B&B
– All rooms have the original French charm with modern comforts including plush towels, linens, robes, hairdryers and handmade soaps
– Family friendly, with games, books and plenty of outdoor space
– Enjoy the television in the living room, or some time out in the dining room, both equipped with wood burners
– Plenty of space on the back patio with a fire pit, or in the front garden to relax or eat

Market visit & cooking lesson

After a leisurely breakfast, you’ll head to a local market or visit a local producer to get the day’s fresh ingredients for your cooking lesson.

Enjoy lunch back at the farmhouse, then get ready to spend the afternoon in the kitchen preparing your three course delicious dinner. You’ll have some time to relax before meeting up at 7pm to handle some last minute prep, plating up and enjoying the delicious food you have prepared.

Accommodation

Your room at the beautiful B&B.

Visit a local producer

After breakfast, you’ll visit one of the local producers from the region; there’s a bit of choice, with either a ciderie, oyster farm, local dairy producers, a local confitures producer, or the Caramels D’Isigny museum, depending on the season. You can learn all about the production and be invited to sample their produce before heading back to the Old Farm for lunch.

After lunch, join David again in the kitchen to prepare your evening meal.

The late afternoon is yours to enjoy the farmhouse, garden or courtyard before meeting back in the kitchen at 7 pm to complete and serve your evening meal, followed by a long enjoyable sit down meal.

Accommodation

Your room at the beautiful B&B.

Farewell!

After a leisurely breakfast, it’s time to say fond farewells.

Don’t forget your complimentary apron, and recipes so you can delight your family and friends back home.

What's included

Included

  • 3 nights accommodation in a twin/double room ensuite in the B&B
  • 2 cooking lessons preparing 3 course meals consisting of French classics
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily
  • Half a bottle of wine or cider with your dinners
  • Your own souvenir apron and recipe booklet
  • Visit to a local market and one excursion to meet a local producer
  • Check in any time between 4pm on day 1 and check out by 11am on day 4
Your local host

David & Alyson

Chef David and his wife Alyson spent 5 years restoring this lovely old farmhouse to the B&B they run today to ensure there is everything you need to enjoy your cookery break - from the cosy en-suite rooms to the Everhot range cooker in the kitchen. Cooking classes will be taught by David, who has recently retired after 24 years of being a military Chef. All classes are absolutely hands-on and laid back, with personal attention so you can really make the most of your time there.

Chef David and his wife Alyson spent 5 years restoring this lovely old farmhouse to the B&B they run today to ensure there is everything you need to enjoy your cookery break - from the cosy en-suite rooms to the Everhot range cooker in the kitchen. Cooking classes will be taught by David, who has recently retired after 24 years of being a military Chef. All classes are absolutely hands-on and laid back, with personal attention so you can really make the most of your time there.

Sustainability Efforts

What Sustainability Efforts are we Taking?

At Not in the Guidebooks, we’re committed to empowering the local communities. We work closely with local people and businesses to ensure they receive a fair percentage of the money you spend. By partnering with local guides and suppliers, we create meaningful, authentic experiences that directly benefit the local community.

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Location

This is also a great location for exploring all the historic D Day sites of the area, with the town of Sainte Mere Eglise just 3 miles away. You’ll be just a moment’s walking distance from the memorial to Charles D Glopper and a 10 minutes walk from La Fiere.

The nearest airports are Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) Airport (around 2 hours 45 minutes by train) and Caen Carpiquet Airport (40 minutes by train). Transfers from Caen Airport can be arranged and cost €80 each way to and from the accommodation.

If you want to take the train, the nearest station is Carentan (40 minutes from Caen, 2hr 45 minutes from CDG). Transfers can be arranged and cost €30 each way from the train station to the accommodation.

If you are planning to drive there, the full address and directions will be given to you upon booking.

What our travellers are saying...

The pictures of the farm do not give this stunning B&B justice. Each room has been carefully designed to create a comfortable welcoming. David & Alison have carefully thought through every detail to provide a fantastic customer experience. The continental breakfast offering a variety of cereals, pastries, bread, ham & cheeses, not forgetting the tasty homemade banana & nut bread, makes a great start of the day. Also available is a French or Engli

Trish

Enjoyable and peaceful stay in this tasteful and thoughtfully renovated old farmhouse. Alyson was the most perfect hostess and nothing was too much trouble. Her and her husband David's hard work and labour of love renovating this old place, shines through in every aspect. We wish them the success they clearly deserve in their venture together. Come and see for yourselves, you won't be disappointed! We will be back...

Julie

FAQs

Who is it suitable for?

- Suitable for all levels from beginner cooks to advanced chefs
- Minimum age 18 (under 18s accepted if accompanied by an adult)
- All classes are taught in English

I'm a solo traveller - can I join?

- This is perfect for the solo traveller or a trip for 2 people as it is a maximum number of 2 people per cooking class
- There are no single supplements on this holiday

When can I start?

- You’ll be able to arrive any day year round subject to availability
- Please note that the B&B will be closed during the Christmas season
- Extra cooking or nights can be added on request, please get in touch via chat, phone or email for more information

Restricted mobility access

Please find below some information regarding the accommodation and location of the holiday which may be useful when deciding if this is the right holiday for you; should you have any further questions, please contact us and we will be happy to help.
- The ground floor room is ideally situated for those with limited mobility having access via no staircase and its own private access from outside
- The room has a spacious ensuite with large walk in shower, WC and freestanding basin
- Please let us know if you would prefer this room and we will check availability for you

How many people can be in a class?

Due to the small kitchen, cooking classes are kept at a maximum of 4 people, however the B&B has 3 gorgeous rooms that can accommodate 6.

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