In the foothills of Mont Ventoux lies the tiny medieval hill town of Merindol-les-Oliviers. It is ideally situated in the prestigious southern Cote du Rhone wine area. You are invited to savor the pleasures of the table in this fabulously unspoiled corner of Provence. This is a complete experience…not only will you learn the secrets of French Mediterranean cuisine, you will also enjoy wine tastings and visits, excursions to markets, and visits to olive mills and honey farms.
From the moment you arrive, you'll feel at home with your hosts…a group of dedicated locals whose goal is to share the undoubted pleasures of the region---the food, the wine, the joie de vivre. Beth Miller, three time winner of French culinary awards, leads hands-on cooking sessions at La Lumiere, a country house set in the midst of a beautiful garden with incredible views. Groups are small, from three to six people, ensuring plenty of individualized instruction. Non-cooking partners who are walkers, photographers or just lazy dreamers are welcome. The only requirement is that they enjoy eating, drinking, and the results of each day's work!
Accommodations are in beautifully restored and comfortable Provencal farmhouses, all featuring private bathrooms and English speaking hosts.
You will be met at nearest airport or railway station and taken to your accommodation. In the evening meet at La Lumiere for an introductory dinner party.
After breakfast, gather at La Lumiere to talk about what you'd like to learn to cook. Your instructors will make suggestions based on what's available (asparagus in the spring, wild mushrooms in the fall.) Then you'll prepare several light lunch dishes such as the famous Brandade de Morue.
After lunch, time to relax. At 3 pm, there will be a tutored wine tasting or a visit to the local olive mill or apiarian to taste olive oil or honey.
Dinner tonight in a typical local restaurant.
Morning visit to the market in Vaison where you'll pick the ingredients for the next two days according to the chosen menus. This is followed by a light lunch in a bar on the town's pretty Place Montfort. Afternoon free to relax in your accommodations.
This evening is the first hands-on cooking session to prepare the evening meal, which is always served with suitable Rhone wines.
Morning cooking session to prepare the evening meal, followed by a light lunch, very often in the garden. Afterwards there will be time to relax before a visit to a wine domaine or a talk on Rhone wines with tastings.
This afternoon, there is free time to visit local villages with transport and guides provided.
Meet again in the evening to put the finishing touches on dinner.
Early visit to the market at Nyons to shop for the next two days, with free time to shop or explore the charming old town.
Lunch is in a bar on the ancient Place de la Republique.
After a rest, you'll meet again at La Lumiere to prepare the starter and dessert for tonight's meal at the home of Annie and Regis Agostini, where some guests are staying. Annie will cook the main dish, usually a specialty of the Ardeche.
Morning at La Lumiere, with hands-on cooking for the final gala dinner where everyone will present a dish of his or her choice. After a light lunch visit Vaison-la-Romaine to see the Roman ruins or do some last minute shopping. Return to La Lumiere to put the final touches on everyone's chef d'oeuvre, followed by the gala supper.
After breakfast, transfer to the nearest rail station or airport.
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