About
the location: A very special full day experience with Chef Samira,
an international culinary personality and owner of Bellissimo Restaurant in Fairfax, Va. in the US.
Samira will guide you to a typical Parisian market and then take you to her home in Paris's 16th
arrondissement where she instructs you in English on how to prepare a five-course French feast which you will enjoy
after the class along with white and red French wines.
After
earning her MA and doctorate in Education and Human Development from George Washington
University, Samira worked for many years in the government sector. In the 1990's
she decided to create her cooking school and has not
looked back since. Having lived in many places in the world, including the UK,
Middle East, Europe, Africa, and the US, she has melded the culinary education
from her mother and grandmother, with that of cuisines around the world, and her
lifelong experience as a teacher. While primarily self-taught, Samira has attended
classes at the Cordon Bleu, as well as other culinary schools. Now, having returned
to Paris, her primary focus is, of course, on French cuisine, although she still
continues to offer classes in other specialties as well. Samira's cooking philosophy
is quite simple: she wants to teach people to cook and enjoy good and healthy
food. While learning to trust their own instincts, they will gain confidence in
their own abilities.
Samira’s elegant, practical kitchen boasts a gorgeous granite island that can accommodate up to 8
people with an extention that can accommodate up to 18 people. The 6-burner stove, 3 ovens, 2
refrigerators, 3 freezers, and charming nooks featuring Samira's personal oils and vinegars,
create a professional yet cosy and friendly environment. Samira's apartment is conveniently
located within a 10-minute walk to both the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs Elysées,
and a short 3-minute walk from the Metro.
You will
visit a wonderful, neighborhood market that is a ten minute walk from Samira's
apartment, where you will select some of the items you will use in your French
cooking lessons. This is really an experience with a local Parisian, where you
will be creating some of the most delicious, yet simple dishes.
Students
are given chapters of Samira's book, which contain the recipes of the day's class.
Each class goes through the
preparation
of a complete meal, followed by a long lunch in the elegant dining room, where
students dine and enjoy their creations, accompanied by a lovely wine.
Cooking Class in Paris
Paris, Ile-de-France
Itinerary
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Cooking class
Classes begin at 8:30AM with the market visit and end at approximately 4:30 PM after
lunch. Please note that chef Samira’s apartment is located in an original Hausmannian
building from 1860 (and therefore has no elevator).
Dinner Option
Your host, Samira's husband James, will take you through a
regional wine tasting of France, conducted in the wine
cave of their building. Following, you will be guests in
their beautiful dining room, where Samira will feature a
fabulous dinner, accompanied by fine wines. Available for
minimum of 4 people, please inquire for prices.
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Cooking Vacations 
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