Cooking in the French Alps

The following is the 2023 itinerary. There are some small modifications to the 2024 itinerary. Inquire for details!

Day One

• Arrival transfer from Geneva or Lyon airports, or Albertville or Chambery train station.
• Upon checking into he chalet, Nikki and her husband Hugh will show you around and help you settle in. If you’re arriving early in the day, a lunch and afternoon tea and cake will be served.
• Nikki and Hugh will start your France cooking vacation by inviting you into their private bar for a welcome drink and to have a chat about the following days ahead and this wonderful region of France. Next, they will serve a very traditional Savoyard meal. – Tarte aux tomatoes roties et thyme de montagne, Tartiflette, Green salad, Peche poaches, vervain et vanille.
• Overnight.

Day Two

• Breakfast will be served in the vaulted dining room.
• In the morning, begin your first cooking class, which will focus on the preparation of a traditional Savoyard lunch. During class, Nikki will explain how the local history and traditions are linked to the local produce.
• Lunch to follow based on your efforts. Sample lunch menu : Comte
  souffle, salad de tomate, tarte aux myrtilles.
• In the afternoon, put on your walking boots and take a leisurely look at the three surrounding villages, the history of the area, and how they operated as a community back in the 1700’s. You will meet a few farmers and taste some local cheeses. (Or if you prefer, you can rest, read, and enjoy the scenery from one of the many lounges dotted around the property.)
• Return to the chalet to relax before pre dinner drinks and dinner is served with a selection of Rhone wines. Sample dinner menu: Tatin d’endives et tomme de chèvre, Poulet fermier aux champignons et creme fraiche, creme caramel.
• Overnight.

Day Three

• After breakfast, drive to the valley floor (about 20 minutes) to visit a local farmers market to source and purchase the fresh ingredients for the evening cookery class. During this visit, Nikki will take you around the market to sample and enjoy the local produce, to choose together a selection of wine and seasonal food items for the following days picnic hamper.
• Enjoy a lovely farm to table meal in a local restaurant together (drinks not included).
• In the afternoon, take part in your second cooking class, where you’ll make dinner using ingredients from the market. Five-course sample menu: Amuse-bouche feuilletes, Tartare de tomato, Tart epinards et chèvre Sainte-Maure, Filet de cabillaud en papillote, Salade aux 5 perfume, Choux jasmin – framboise.
• Pre dinner drinks and nibbles on the terrace or at the bar (weather depending) – then dinner based on your efforts, during which you will learn more about the local Rhone wines.
• Overnight.

Day Four

• Breakfast.
• Spend the morning in your next cooking class preparing the food for
  your dinner. Sample menu: Gateau de Savoie, Soupe a l’oignon, Diots
  au vin blanc, gratin de crozet, Tarte tatin, soda bread, biscuit sale.
• Lunch is a beautiful and easy walk into the forest where you will find a
  magical table set overlooking the Alps – by foot in summer or snow
  shoes in winter. Eat, relax, read, and take in the jaw dropping views.
• This evening, enjoy pre-dinner drinks, followed by a three course meal and local wine, served downstairs in the vaulted dining hall under the chandelier.
• Overnight.

Day Five

• After breakfast, your France cooking vacation will take you on a picturesque journey to the unforgettably beautiful and historic mountain lake town of Annecy, about 90 minutes away. A real jewel of the Alps, Annecy delivers on all fronts: breathtaking scenery, quality shops, gourmet restaurants, as well as quaint streets, buildings, and a castle dating back to the 12th century.
• You will have the day to explore, shop, and choose your own restaurant for lunch on your own.
• Meet back together at 4.00pm.
• After returning to the chalet, enjoy an aperitif together before Nikki serves you dinner.
• Overnight.

Day Six

• Breakfast.
• After breakfast, you will meet in the kitchen for your final hands on cookery class during your France cooking vacation. Have fun while creating a variety of lovely local dishes using many of the cheeses from the region.
• Lunch together, discussing everything you have learned.
• Free time in the afternoon to relax and pack before your farewell dinner.
• Overnight.

Day Seven

• Breakfast followed by check out by 11 am.
• Return transfer to Geneva or Lyon airports or the Albertville or Charmbery train stations.