WINTER COMFORTS - 17-20 October 2008

    WHAT THE WEEKEND IS ABOUT
     
    Using our 'theory' of flavour combinations, we'll be playing with all those comforting winter ingredients that fill the market stalls (and so efficiently warm the cockles of our heart) at this time of the year... sweet roots to go with juicy roasts, rich risottos with warming flavours, quick desserts to satisfy and impress, vibrant soups that light up the evening...
     
    And since most of us don't have a lot of time for shopping and cooking, we will bear in mind speed and simplicity, as well as clever use of ingredients that can be stocked up in larder and freezer. And, since good food should always be shared, we have created dishes that have both good looks and originality in common.

    Wine is of course part of true winter comforts and therefore we have included a visit to a winemaker who makes exquisite wines, as well as a tutored winetasting sothat next time you'll know exactly how to choose a wine...
     
    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 at 12.40; a one-hour drive to our base in Cruzy for a late lunch; followed by a visit to an olive oil press and a winery (Terres Georges) where the passionate owners still makes all wines by hand. Home for a short demonstration, then dinner.
     
    day 2 saturday - after breakfast, a trip into Narbonne, including a guided visit to its famous covered foodmarket (think cheese, charcuterie, fish, vegetables and fruit); we stay in Narbonne for lunch in a local restaurant, then home for a tutored winetasting at by Jacinta Delahaye or Cathie O'Flynn; a mid-afternoon a talk on flavour combinations is followed by a cookery demonstration and then dinner.

    day 3 sunday - after breakfast we'll visit the pretty village of St Chinian and its openair foodie market, then after an aperitif on its 'cosmopolitan' square and depending on the weather, we'll either head home for lunch or to the Gorges of the Orb river for a picnic; another cookery demonstration in the afternoon, then our final dinner.
     
    day 4 monday - a quick demonstration on the comforts of breakfast, after which we'll leave for the airport...
     
    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