Holiday itinerary
Tucked away in the peaceful and historic village of Gramont in Gascony, this charming and tastefully restored French farmhouse is the setting for your weekend French patisserie course.
If desserts are your thing then this break is definitely for you. Your whole stay will be dedicated to making delicious, classic French desserts such as Tarte aux Pommes and Crème Brûlée. You will also develop your skills over the weekend to learn to make Croquembouche, a delicious cake traditionally used for weddings. Indulge yourself and enjoy!
Under the guidance of your English host Chef David and French Chef Bernard who both trained as chefs in France and are acclaimed in the area, you will immerse yourself in French life to discover the skills and techniques to make the perfect desserts covering pastry making, caramalised decoration, piping and much more.
Go learn to cook in stunning surroundings, indulge your sweet tooth and make this a trip to remember.
Suitability
- Suitable for all from beginners to experienced foodies
- This course is suitable for people aged 17 and over
- Your hosts are British and French so all cooking classes are taught in English and French
Travelling Solo?
- Many solo guests travel on this cookery holiday and the groups are fun and sociable
- Each guest is allocated a private ensuite room and there is NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
Traveling as a pair?
- A discount can be applied for couples or friends cooking and sharing a room
- Please see the costings and extras tab for more details on pricing
- Discount can be applied on the first page of the booking wizard
Non-Cooking Guests
- Non cooking guests are welcome to share a room with a cooking guest and prices for the non-cooking guest will be discounted accordingly, please email or contact us via live chat (click on the ‘start chat’ link at the bottom of this page) or call us for details
Pâtisserie Weekend Start Days
- The weekend pâtisserie course runs on set dates throughout the year
- All arrivals are on Sundays or Mondays
- Departures are on Tuesdays or Wednesdays
- Please note: if you would like to add on the optional transfer service, arrival transfers will have be between 10.30am – 9pm, and departure transfers will have to be between 8.30am - 9pm (leaving from the cookery school).
Note: If the dates are not suitable for you, we may be able to accommodate you on alternative dates or days of arrival so please call 08445 020 445 or email with your preferred dates and we'll do our best to accommodate you
French Pâtisserie Cooking Short Break Itinerary
Day 1
- You may check-in to your room anytime after 1pm on day 1
- Please note: we request that you are ready to start cooking by 2.30pm at the latest
- After a welcome drink, you'll hit the kitchen straight away as you will start your first French lesson lasting about 3 hours learning the skills to make amazing French desserts starting with all important knife skills
- Around 7-8pm you'll be served aperitifs and canapés followed by a delicious dinner cooked by your Chef ending with the desserts you have learned to cook that afternoon
Day 2
- 8.45-9.45am – Breakfast
- Enjoy a leisurely French breakfast before heading into the kitchen
- Take your second cooking lesson where you'll aim to get in between 4-5 hours of cooking to make the most of your weekend in France developing your skills from Friday moving on to cook a host of different desserts guaranteed to satisfy your sweet tooth
- Lunch will be included today
- After lunch head to the Auberge to cook cremé patissiére and crepes suzette for your 3rd cooking lesson of the day
- You'll then have some free time before dinner
- Around 7-8pm, enjoy aperitifs and canapés followed by another wonderful dinner of traditional French dishes from the area and finishing with tastings of your own desserts
Day 3
- After breakfast guests are asked to check-out of their rooms by 11am ready for departure taking home with them new dessert cooking skills and an insight into French life that will stay with them long after the holiday is over
Sample French Desserts
Please note that some desserts may change according to the season and availability of fresh produce
- Cremé patissiére
- Tarte aux Pommes
- Croquembouche
- Crème Brûlée
- Frangipane fruit tart
- Crepes suzette
What Will I Learn?
- The history of French cuisine with a focus on the traditional French desserts
- Knife skills
- Piping
- Pastry making
- Caramalisation
- Dessert decoration and serving/presentation skills
- A whole host of pâtisserie skills
French Cookery Holiday Accommodation
- You'll stay in a charming French farmhouse which has just 4 rooms
- There is also a small Gite next to the farmhouse with 1 room and please note that if the Gite is busy, there's a charming B&B very close by although if you are placed here, you will be informed at the time of booking
- Tastefully restored to retain the rustic charm; your room will have a twin or a double bed, private bathroom and a delightful view
- Please note that you'll cook in the kitchen of the main farmhouse where your Chef David lives or in the nearby Auberge
- Wi-fi available in the house but not in the guest bedrooms
- Your hosts have a cocker spaniel dog who is allowed in the house but never in the kitchen nor guest bedroom
- Prices are based on 1 person in their own private room with en-suite bathroom (no single supplement for a private room)
- If two people travel together and share a room, a discount is offered (see the costing and extras tab for details)
Indulge your passion for desserts on this wonderful dessert making course in France where you’ll take home a host of pâtisserie skills that will stay with you long after the holiday is over.