EASY SUMMER 2012 - weekend - May 11-14

    WHAT THE WEEKEND IS ABOUT...
     
    This course is about early summer food - the first of the local asparagus and wild rocket, freshly picked cherries and fragrant melons... And let's not forget succulent baby lamb and sunshine and cool fruity wine! Think effortless summer cooking for friends...
     
    Though this course focuses on summer food, as with all the courses the dishes themselves are based on the intuitive cooking principle in which we learn to match complementary flavours to make dishes that hum with flavour and burst with originality.
     
    Excursions are reasonably flexible so if there is something you particularly want to visit, tell us early so we can include your wishes.

    The course is limited to 7-8 people. It is informal and fun (and hands-on for those who want it). There is one single room, otherwise prices are based on two people sharing and double rooms may carry a single occupancy supplement of 100 euros for a weekend and 250 euros for a week-long course.
     
    THE WEEKEND INCLUDES...

    • 3 nights accommodation in B&B La Souqueto.
    • all meals and all wine - both at home and in restaurants
    • all transport to and from the airport and all excursions
    • all demonstrations and winetastings
       
    WHAT THE WEEKEND COSTS... - 590 euros - ALL INCLUSIVE (except flights)

    ITINERARY
     
    DAY 1 FRIDAY - pick-up from the airport then straight to Medieval Carcassonne for lunch. There's time to explore ANCIENT WALLED CITY before we head off to visit an organic beekeeper, learn about bees and taste their extensive range of honeys. There may be time to visit LA BALNAUTIERE goatfarm to see the goats being milked and to taste their selection of supberb cheeses. At home there is time to settle in, before a talk on MATCHING FLAVOURS and a cookery demonstration, after which it is time for dinner.
     
    DAY 2 SATURDAY - after breakfast, a morning visit to Narbonne's famous food market. There is time for a stroll to the beautiful Cathedral (and the shops!) before we leave for a visit to an olive press followed by a leisurely lunch in LA SELETTE restaurant. This is followed by a tutored wine tasting in the cellars of winemakers Roland and Anne Marie Coustal TERRES GEORGES. At home we have planned another cookery session using the market produce, then dinner at home.

    DAY 3 SUNDAY - a leisurely breakfast is followed by a visit to a typical French vide-grenier (a sort of car-boot sale but nicer!) where you may find something to bring home, and then are are off for a (smart, sit-down) picnic beside the Canal du Midi. You have the afternoon off, and may want to walk along the Canal du Midi to the very pretty village of LE SOMAIL (about 30 minutes) where there are interesting things to visit. Later on we have another cookery demonstration before our final dinner.
     
    DAY 4 MONDAY - after a lazy breakfast (there will be time to relax on the roof terrace or explore the village by foot) we shall leave for the airport for our flight home.
     
    Guests will take home a pack with all the information, checklists and recipes covered during the week.
     

     
    For more information, please contact info@petracarter.com