CUPBOARD LOVE - 19-22 September 2008

    WHAT THE WEEKEND IS ABOUT
     
    The best meals are often spontaneous and unplanned - a perfect cheese, great bread, a good bottle of wine and scintillating conversation, shared around a kitchen table is hard to beat. But wouldn't it be great if you could casually put something incredibly delicious together from whatever you have in your cupboard any time your friends call in unexpectedly?
     
    With some cleverly planned (dry, tinned and frozen) ingredients you'll always be prepared. Full-proof, quick and delicious dishes that can be varied and adapted according to each season and to your every mood...

    WHAT THE WEEKEND INCLUDES

    • 3 nights accommodation in simple but tasteful surroundings
    • cookery demonstrations and excursions
    • all meals including all wine - both at home and in restaurants
    • all transport to and from the airport and on all excursions
    • tutored winetastings

     
    HOW MUCH THE WEEKEND COSTS - 650 euros
     

    ITINERARY
     
    day 1 friday - pick-up from Carcassonne airport at 13.35 followed by a late lunch in the Medieval city of Carcassonne, then if there is time, a visit to an olive oil press or the winemaker of Terres Georges who still makes his wines by hand; at home there will be time to settle in before sitting down to dinner.
     
    day 2 saturday - after breakfast, a trip to a beekeeper to taste all the different flavours that the various terroirs produce, or if preferred a visit to an idyllic goatfarm; home for a pre-lunch cookery demonstration; there is time for a little relaxation in the afternoon. A talk on flavour combinations is followed by another cookery demonstration before dinner.

    day 3 sunday - after breakfast we'll visit the pretty village of St Chinian and its openair food market. An aperitif on its 'cosmopolitan' square is followed either by lunch at home or by a picnic and gentle walk in the Gorges of the Orb river; another cookery demonstration in the afternoon, then dinner at home.
     
    day 4 monday - a demonstration of an alternative cupboard breakfast, after which we'll leave for the airport...
     
    We are always serendipitous of mind so if guests prefer, there is an opportunity to change visits around or indeed include other worthwhile destinations. We shall talk about this the first evening.
     
    Guests will go home with a collection of recipes containing all the dishes demonstrated during the week... and hopefully with happy memories and a firm resolution to return the following year, either for another course or for a carefree B&B holiday!
     
    The school also offers a variety of art weeks, to include creative writing, painting, photography and printmaking. (see creative courses)
     
    For more information, please contact info@petracarter.com