Cookery holiday Bordeaux – As seen in Psychologies magazine

GoLearnTo.com’s wonderful cookery holiday in the Lot et Garonne region, near Bordeaux features in January’s edition of Psychologies magazine as novice cook Sophie Herdman heads to the ‘garden of France’ for some lessons in cooking to ‘make your belly smile’.

“I can’t cook. My cooking consists of heating up ready meals in an oven or microwave. So a cooking course in France, I thought, was a pretty good idea. I headed to Le Gargantua in Anzex, an hour by train from Bordeaux.

Its a relaxed, family environment, where all the guests eat a 3 course evening meal together which they’ve prepared.

‘I want to demystify French cooking‘ said our teacher Marlene. We started with a visit to a foie gras farm (to my relief the geese were still stractching around and not yet on death row). The following day we visited a bustling local market filled with colourful vegetables and rare cheeses.

The afternoons were spent in the kitchen, just myself and one other woman (there are never more than 4 in a group), learning, in English how to cook a whole meal from salmon mousse to profiteroles. Making bread was a particular highlight.

I haven’t exactly cooked haute cuisine since I got back – perhaps I needed a more basic course – but I have ditched the ready meals and am cooking more from scratch.  I have also conquered my fear of throwing a dinner party. That alone is an achievement.

Weekend and week long cookery holidays are available from £413 including accommodation, all meals, cooking lessons and foodie exursions.

You can also specialise in the wonderful art of French patisserie if you prefer with a French pastry short break for just £413 – perfect for those of you with a sweet tooth and a passion for buttery French crossiants!

To book: GoLearnTo.com or call 08456250445.