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Cooking Classes in Paris
In an era where chefs have gained rock star status, gastronomical adventures have come to the forefront. Digging into the minds of a chef, learning valuable tips and discovering the cuisine of a faraway land have grown from being merely a side note in your vacation planning to becoming center stage. Now your only challenge is to find a destination and your palate will soon be jumping for joy.
With the 2009 release of Julie and Julia, one type of cuisine has gained instant notoriety, and that is the cuisine of France. While we often relate French cuisine to butter, richness and heavy creams, the cuisine is actually very diversified due to a variety of regional influences and — to get an authentic experience of this culinary mecca, a trip to France is in order. It would help to add these culinary excursions to your lineup.
Before you get there:
Your luggage is securely packed, seatbelt fastened and your mind can’t stop wondering what your first bite will be, but wait — how will you read a menu and how will you order? Make your first bite on your gastronomic journey a bit more comfortable by packing Eat Smart in France: How to Decipher the Menu, Know the Market Foods & Embark on a Tasting Adventure by Ronnie Hess in your carry on. This culinary guidebook combines a short history and geography lesson on France with helpful language hints and a menu guide to help you decipher a menu and order with confidence. It will also help you become familiar with the different spices and cooking styles so when you enter a kitchen or visit a market, you will act like a pro.
Live like Julia Child:
Just like you can cook like Julia did, you can also live like Julia did with this unique culinary experience where guests will have the opportunity to cook in Julia Chlid’s former Provence kitchen — La Pitchoune – with the highly sought after Cooking with Friends in France culinary program. This four night, five day program ($2,450 USD) is available from May through June and September through November — and is perfect for all ability levels. This immersion programs combines cooking classes; food market tours; lunches at a Michelin two-starred restaurant; and more.
Explore a French Market:
While a visit to your local supermarket is more than convenient, it lacks the excitement of the treasures you can find at the market. One of the best-known markets in Paris is the Rue Mouffetard Market (75005 Paris, France), located on a narrow cobblestone road. Offering a myriad of fresh food daily — fruits, cheeses, meats, fish, vegetables — and a large selection wine, you are sure to be in paradise. On the top of the road, you will find the Place de la Contrescarpe (map) with a fountain in the center, that offers both a festive and village atmosphere. Relax and have a drink on one of the cafe terraces. It’s a perfect destination for people watching.
If going to the market by your lonesome seems like you’ll wander the streets not knowing where to go, Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes will offer you the guidance you need. Owner Richard Nahem, and chef/caterer and co-author of The Ethnic Paris Cookbook, Charlotte Puckette offer students day-long classes starting with a morning trip to a fresh food market and wine shop; and ending with the group of 2-6 students preparing a 3-course feast in Charlotte’s private townhouse. Cost is 185 euros (about $240 USD) and the classes take place from 9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Learn to Bake Like a Master:
When roaming the streets of Paris, the aroma of fresh croissants, macaroons and pastries fill the streets and put you into a stage of pure delight. Will you ever be able to recreate that taste experience of that fresh croissant — like you experience on your last culinary journey? Now you will, with these baking classes offered by Cook’n with Class. Chef and instructor Eric Fraudeau will have you well on your way to becoming a seasoned baker with these interactive baking classes for groups of up to 6 students taught in English. For the general baking class, students will learn to make breakfast pastries like croissants, pain au chocolat, and raisin rolls. Instruction on how to make a focaccia dough is also in the line-up. Cost for this class is €125. If these pastries don’t strike your fancy, there are a variety of other classes offered including a classic French dessert class and a macaroon class. Cook’n with Class is located at 21 rue Custine. Paris 75018 (map)
Photo Credit: egerard @ flickr
