. . . inspirational home cooking at its best

Join top food writer Mary Cadogan and husband Mick at home in rural France and share their love of good seasonal ingredients, cooked simply and well.

Mary will share some of her favourite recipes as you cook and eat dishes that you’ll be confident to make at home for family and friends again and again. This isn’t chefs’ food, this is inspirational home cooking at its best, with plenty of tips, short cuts and advice on menu planning, shopping, preparing ahead and presentation, all enjoyed in an utterly relaxed and informal environment.

During your stay, you’ll have the chance to visit food markets and local producers, taste regional specialities and, of course, sample a glass or two of the local wines. When you’re not cooking and eating, there’ll be time to relax, chatting with your fellow guests in Mary and Mick's comfortable salon, sitting by the river with a glass in hand, or meandering up the river in their canoe.

Each of the cookery courses is for a maximum of six guests, so the content can be adapted to suit your level of skill or experience.

Who are these holidays for?

• Anyone who loves cooking and eating and would like to expand their skills and extend their repertoire.

• Couples who want to share the experience of cooking together in a truly relaxed holiday setting.

• Friends who want a taste of living and eating in rural France, whilst gaining valuable cookery knowledge to use back home.

AN INTRODUCTION FROM MARY:

Hello and weclome to my cookery courses in France.

From a young age the kitchen has always been the place where I'm happiest. My passion for seasonal food, cooking and eating is reflected in my work as a food writer. Food and cooking is a subject that holds endless fascination and excitement for me - never more so than since I moved to France in 2005.

I'm delighted to invite you to share my love of cooking in a personal setting by joining one of my cookery holidays at my home in rural Charente. I look forward to seeing you soon,

SAMPLE PROGRAMME

Day 1 evening:
		Arrive and settle into your room.
	7.00pm	Aperitifs followed by relaxed kitchen supper.
Day 2:
	9.00am	Breakfast
	10.00am	Introduction to the course.
	10:30am	Bakes & Cakes Learn how to make wonderful breads, easy brioche and pissaladiere. Cake-making masterclass. Lunch by the river (weather permitting)
	2.00pm	Supper with friends Together we will rustle up a seasonal three-course prepare-ahead dinner, maybe a seasonal starter, slow roasted duck and lentils for the main and three flavours of ice cream with delicious biscuits for dessert.
	5.00pm - 7.00pm	Free time to relax by the river, wander around the village or take our little dog Lily for a walk.
	7.30pm	Aperitifs Pre-dinner drinks and wine tasting.
	8.00pm	Enjoy the delicious dinner that we all prepared earlier.
Day 3:
	9.00am	Breakfast
	10.00am	Shop it, Cook it, Eat it Stroll to the village market to buy fruit and vegetables for lunch. Hands-on cooking session possibly including shallot tarte tatin and seasonal salads and dressings. Pates and Rillettes masterclass.
	1.00pm	Lunch
	2.30pm	Field Trip Visit a local nut mill to find out how nut flours and oils are made, then on to an organic cheese and butter producer.
	7.30pm	Dinner at a good restaurant in nearby Angouleme.
Day 4:
	8.30am	Breakfast
	9.30am	Market Magic Visit to Victor Hugo open market in Angouleme to buy ingredients for lunch and supper.
	12.00 noon	Prepare lunch
	1.00pm	Lunch in the garden, including demonstration of fouee bread cooked on the barbecue.
	2.30pm	Le Grand Diner Prepare dishes for a celebratory 4-course candlelit dinner.
	7.30pm	Champagne reception followed by dinner and tutored cheese tasting.
Day 5:
		Breakfast and fond farewells

FOR AVAILABLE DATES PLEASE VISIT WWW.TASTINGFRANCE.CO.UK

What’s included

• All tuition
• All home-cooked meals including wine
• One restaurant meal including wine
• Exclusive cooking school apron
• Comprehensive folder of featured recipes
• Accommodation
• Linen and towels

What’s not included

Travel to and from the cooking school (including transfers to and from airports)

FOR AVAILABLE DATES PLEASE VISIT WWW.TASTINGFRANCE.CO.UK

ONE DAY COURSES

Alongside our residential courses in the Spring and Autumn, we are now running one-day courses in 2009, each with a theme, so we hope there will be something here to tempt you to get cooking. Join us for a day of hands-on cooking, eating and inspiration.

These are dishes you'll want to make at home for family and friends again and again. There will be plenty of tips, short cuts and advice on menu planning, shopping, preparing ahead and presentation, all enjoyed in an utterly relaxed and informal environment.

Some examples of one day courses:

• Preserving the Tastes of Summer
• Learn Something New
• Breadmaking Masterclass
• Savour the Flavours of Autumn
• Christmas Buffet Party

To find out about availability or to discuss your booking, call us on
0033 (0) 545 37 61 27 or email us on mary.cookschool@orange.fr

PLEASE NOTE If you and a small group of friends (4 - 6) would like a day tailor-made to your cooking interests, we can arrange it.

FOR AVAILABLE ONE DAY COURSES PLEASE VISIT WWW.TASTINGFRANCE.CO.UK

WHAT THEY SAY

Here are a small selection of comments from day and residential students.

‘Thanks again for such a wonderful experience chez vous. I feel truly inspired after having been in your company' ~ Sophie Wester

‘I found the course full of interest, and enjoyed the lovely surroundings and the company. Thank you so much for a wonderful day - I feel so inspired . . . ’ ~ Annette Herholdt

‘I really felt like I got value for money, a lot was covered but I came away confident of being able to reproduce each one myself again. I can be extremely critical, but in this instance I am rendered mute’ ~ Chris Hargreaves

‘It was a great day, superbly organised . . .’ ~ Beryl Brennan

‘For the first time in ages I actually dreamt about food and cooking! I would very much like to come again and next time would like to bring my husband’ ~ Josette Cooke

'We had a really great time at your beautiful cookschool, and enjoyed the cooking immensely, plus eating the fruits of our labour. Mary, you are a natural when it comes to teaching!’ ~ Eileen Matthews

‘Just to say a big thank you for making us so welcome and the course so enjoyable’ ~ David Fazakerley

‘A very stimulating day - I enjoyed every minute’ ~ Patricia Evans

‘The whole course passed in a flash and I found Mary’s teaching excellent as I had expected to be a bit intimidated, but you were both so welcoming and easy company, and I really look forward to the next time’ ~ Jan Atkinson

‘I found the course a wonderfully nurturing experience, and I was wishing all day yesterday that I was back with you. It was so marvellous. Many, many thanks.’ ~ Jennifer Faulkner

FOR AVAILABLE DATES PLEASE VISIT WWW.TASTINGFRANCE.CO.UK

Coming from a large Irish family, mealtimes have always been important to Mary. They're the times when people come together, whether sharing the news of their day over a one-pot supper, or celebrating a special occasion at a table laden with the best china.

Mary has always felt incredibly lucky to be able to earn a living in a subject she loves. She has spent many happy years working as a food writer and stylist before landing the role of Deputy Editor of BBC Good Food magazine. In 2000, she became their first Food Director, leading a talented team of writers and working on the launch of Good Food's sister magazine, Olive.

Four years ago, she moved to the Charente region of France with her husband Mick. Nowadays, she works as a Food Consultant, writing stories about the ingredients that inspire her, creating recipes and using her home and garden for food shoots. As well as continuing to contribute to Good Food magazine, she also writes a regular blog for their website, www.bbcgoodfood.com

One of her biggest projects since moving to France has been a cook's diary, capturing the changing seasons of this beautiful country through its food. Originally featured in Good Food magazine, it's now being serialised in Vogue Entertaining+Travel, with photography by award-winning photographer Alastair Hendy.

Your home-from-home is Les Noisetiers, Mary and Mick's beautiful stone house beside the river Charente in the historic village of Montignac.

Guest accommodation comprises two double bedrooms and one twin bedroom. Each room is furnished with French antiques, complemented by modern comforts including goosedown duvets and pillows, Egyptian cotton sheets and plenty of fluffy towels to make your stay as pleasurable as possible.

• La Riviere has a king-size antique French bed, romantic river views and contemporary en-suite bathroom.

• Le Jardin is a cosy, classically French room with a double bed and a separate shower room shared with the twin room.

• Le Balcon has twin beds, perfect for friends sharing, with a balcony overlooking the garden and the river beyond.

Mary and Mick work hard to create a relaxing house-party atmosphere and encourage all their guests to enjoy their large salon with open fire, squashy sofas, British TV, DVD and CD player.

If you wish to extend your stay for a few days great places to visit in the area include La Rochelle and Ile de Re, Bordeaux, Cognac, Royan and the bay of Arcachon. Please let them know if you would like them to recommend hotels or restaurants in these areas.

FOR AVAILABLE DATES PLEASE VISIT WWW.TASTINGFRANCE.CO.UK