European wineries & cooking classes

[bonniekm]

My husband and I are planning a trip to Europe and I'd like your input. We are starting in Paris and want to take the train to Prague. Any ideas on towns to stop in on the way where we could visit some wineries and/or take a one-day cooking class?

[kendraS]

You may want to contact the Ritz Hotel in Paris. They offer one day observation classes - the class is conducted in english and french. The price is around $40 per person. You also may want to go to Reims - a town known for Champagne. Hope this helps and enjoy your trip. I love Paris!!

[foodiedelite]

Bonnie,

You might want to check into the Le Cordon Bleu. I took a cooking class there in '97. It was a lot of fun. The class I attended lasted about 3-4 hours, it was an observation class conducted in French, although they did have several in English back then.

I booked the class via fax. I believe they have a website now.
After class they give you a certificate (nice to frame for your kitchen).

You'll have a great time. Paris is one of my favorite cities also.

[KValley]

Hi Bonnie,

Just about any train station at which you stop in Europe will have a tourist information center or nearby the train station will be a tourist office. They can call around for lodging and make reservations for you- generally for anywhere in that country, sell you tickets to local attractions, or at least make reservations, and provide the best advice on where to go and what to see. Since there are wineries everywhere, asking the locals will be your best bet- and you will meet the nicest people and have the most wonderful adventures if you don't plan it all out in advance!

Of course cooking classes you will have to reserve in advance. Here are some possibilities or places to look:

French Travel and Tourism of the French Government Tourist Office (cooking classes throughout France):

http://www.francetourism.com/activites/cook6.htm

Pasta Plus website (Cooking classes in Italy):

http://www.e-rcps.com/pasta/links/classes.shtml

From GoNomad.com:

COOKING AND WINE

Pane, Vino e Lingua -- Bread, Wine and Language in Italy
The Koinè Language School and the wine restaurant, Enoteca de' Giraldi, work together to provide students with two weeks of instruction in Italian cooking, language, wines, and culture -- all in the heart of Florence or on day trips to Tuscan farms.
Both companies are located in the Palazzo Borghese, one of the biggest palazzos in Florence, only 100 yards from the Duomo and the Palazzo Vecchio. The program is offered eight times a year, from March to October.
http://www.vinaio.com/code/combined.html

Friends and Food Go Together

Friends and Food International, a member of the Slow Food Movement, offers unique culinary tours and learning opportunities in Provence and Tuscany. Connect the food to the culture and explore the real regional specialties in markets and classes and meals with locals. For more information on Slow Food International and the Slow Food Movement, see DON’T EAT SO FAST!
MKHaskell@aol.com

And if you count Julia Childs and Simone Beck as friends, then you won’t want to miss the opportunity to indulge in a week-long cooking retreat offered by Cooking With Friends at Julia’s former home in Provence. Hands-on cooking classes led by Childs’ former student Kathie Alex, visits to markets, cheese caves and butcher shops make cooking in Julia’s kitchen all that much more appealing. Special June programs take advantage of the long days in the south of France.
http://www.cookingwithfriends.com

Paco’s Tacos

Get out those flamenco shoes and get ready to stay up late with Pata Negra’s week-long Spanish and Moorish culinary tours in Andalucia. Guided tours to vineyards, organic olive farms, markets and other excursions are combined with 5 days of hands-on instruction in Southern Spanish and North African cooking. Great meals, great culture and non-cooking partners are encouraged to attend!
www.patanegra.net

World of Food
Cuisine International offers week-long cooking holidays throughout Europe. Learn with the top chefs, stay in wonderful inns and villas and explore the culture of Italy, France, England or Portugal with excursions and tours.
http://www.cuisineinternational.com

Other culinary learning opportunities in Europe:
· Cooking In Provence
Hands-on instruction, delicious food, unique excursions and fun based at an exquisite villa in an unspoiled village in Provence.
http://www.cookinginprovence.com

· One-Day Cooking Classes
Don’t want to spend an entire vacation learning to cook? Investigate the day-classes offered by such notable culinary institutions as Le Cordon Bleu and local hotels and cooking school. Inquire with the local tourist board regarding hotel and school classes.
US-based culinary tour/school, The International Kitchen, also offers day-long and weekend classes at with local chefs in locations throughout France and Italy.
Le Cordon Bleu
In the US Tel; 800-457-CHEF
The International Kitchen
http:/www.intl-kitchen.com