Provence/Cote d'Azur

Burgundy Ile de France Loire Southwest France

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Rewarded a Michelin star, February 2006!

About the location: La Cadiere d’Azur is a charming ancient Provencal hilltop village in the heart of the Bandol vineyards, where you will find the love of tradition, good living, fine food and wine has been preserved over the centuries. You home for five nights, the Hostellerie Berard and Spa is 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 gastronimic 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 be 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 oversee your cooking lessons.

About the cooking lessons: Born in this very village, 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.

Passport to Provence

La Cadiere d’Azur , Provence

Itinerary

Day One - Sunday

Arrival on your own, followed by a fabulous Welcome Dinner in the beautiful hotel restaurant.
Overnight.

Day Two - Monday

Breakfast and your first cooking lesson in the Bastide (you will need a car to get yourself back and forth between the Hostellerie and the Bastide). Today, if in season, you will pick some fresh herbs from the garden for use in your recipes.
Lunch with wine to follow.
In the afternoon visit to a local food artisan, such as a local cheese maker.
Dinner on your own, maybe choose to dine in the hotel restaurant or in one of the local restaurants in town.
Overnight.

Day Three - Tuesday

Following breakfast, an excursion to Sanary Harbour to check out all the fabulous fresh fish selections, as well as the fresh produce market. You will choose the ingredients for the fish dish to be prepared in your second lesson, following the market visit.
Lunch of your efforts with fine local wine.
In the afternoon a visit to a local producer of Bandol wine for a tasting.
Dinner on your own.
Overnight.

Day Four - Wednesday

Breakfast, and your next cooking lesson with the freshest Provencal vegetables.
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.
Overnight.

Day Five - Thursday

Breakfast, followed by your final cooking lesson, devoted to pastries and bread.
Lunch with wine.
Afternoon visit, perhaps to a honeybee farm.
Dinner on your own.
Overnight.

Day Six - Friday

Breakfast, followed by a reluctant adieu!

2008 Price Per Person

US$2175 per person based on double occupancy (except for June and Truffle week)
US$2375 per person based on double occupancy in June

US$495 single supplement

Non-cooking companion, reduction of US$700 (does not include lunches after the class or excursions.)

Truffle week (inquire about prices)

Maximum 12 participants