The rise and rise of cooking holidays
Peter Kay’s ‘Garlic Bread’ routine has passed into the annals of British comedy legend, and there are few finer, or funnier, illustrations of how far Brits have come in their attitude to food than the spoofing of the ignoramus holiday-goer turning his nose up at ‘that foreign muck’.
Nowadays, the ‘foreign muck’ is one of the most important aspects of British overseas holidays. A report by Mintel showed that 68% of respondents believed enjoying local food and drink was an essential component to a good holiday. Only relaxation and nice weather scored higher.
So who do we have to thank for this epicurean epiphany? The communities and restaurateurs who have brought wave upon wave of new flavours to our high streets? TV Chefs like Rick Stein and Jamie Oliver who have left no stone unturned or country unvisited to bring us delicacies to leave us salivating on the sofa?
As with all these things, the answer probably lies in a combination of factors, but what we know, as a provider of delicious cookery holidays, is that people don’t just want to eat exotic food, they want to learn how to cook it for themselves. In fact, demand for cooking holidays is rising quicker than a sandwich tin loaf made with fast acting yeast.
While TV chefs have helped catch the public imagination, other shows like Masterchef and The Great British Bake Off have shown that many Britons see cookery as something to enjoy, rather than a chore. And, in response to the increasing demand, GoLearnTo.com has launched a new range of cookery breaks and holidays to get you off that sofa and meeting local producers, creating masterpieces in French and Portuguese kitchens, learning the art of butchery and more…
Here are some of our newest cooking holidays to help you discover the taste of a place…
Butchery and charcuterie break in Gascony, France
With London’s Ginger Pig butchers leading the way in butchery skills, we thought it was time to take things a step further and introduce a butchery and charcuterie skills course in the wonderful rural village of Gramont in the unspoilt Gascony region of SW France.
This fantastic 3 night/4 day charcuterie course is all about adventurous nose to tail dining from preparation through to final presentation; you’ll be learning all important butchery and knife skills as well as jointing and sectioning a whole pig as well as preparing traditional saucisson and pâtés.
Couple that with staying in a gorgeous French farmhouse with stunning views over the Gascon countryside as you relax in the hot tub and you’ve got the perfect meat lovers cookery break.
Gourmet cookery weekend in France’s culinary capital Lyon
Shame on us as before now, we only featured day courses in Lyon and didn’t give the opportunity to stay a while longer to truly experience the city’s tempting culinary delights but now, we have a brand new gourmet 3 night cookery break to tempt even the most experienced foodies out there.
This 3 night/4 day cookery weekend is about learning to cook gourmet food , staying in a charming hotel in the city center, truly experiencing the Les Halles Paul Bocuse market under the guidance of your Chef who not only loves to teach visitors how to cook but who also works in a Michelin star restaurant ensuring you cook and plate to those infamous Michelin star standards.
Experience the taste of the Alentejo region of Portugal
Often overlooked when it comes to cookery holidays, Portugal is an up and coming culinary destination and this brand new cookery and wine break is the perfect introduction to rustic Portuguese cooking and delicious Alentejo wines from this ‘package holiday tourist free’ region.
After spending your first night in the vibrant city of Lisbon, you’ll spend the week visiting the Esporão wine estate to sample and learn about the region’s best wines, learn about local produce in nearby Évora – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the cultural centre of the Alentejo, explore the Renaissance palace of Vila Viçosa, and admire the view from the ramparts of the historic town of Estremoz with its vast plains of olive trees and wheat fields. There are also plenty of hands on cookery classes where you’ll discover the secrets behind Portuguese gastronomy and its ingredients and influences using locally sourced produce and freshly picked herbs and vegetables from the manor house’s own garden.
Wine tasting and horse riding in the Gascony region near Bordeaux
OK, not strictly cooking but here’s one for those who like to eat but are more interested in the wine. And of course, days spent horseriding are perfect exercise to work off those extra French calories.
This exceptional horse riding and wine tasting holiday is perfect for trekking on horseback through the stunning landscapes of Madiran, tasting fine wines from the famous Gascony region, and relaxing in a beautiful 200 year old manor house surrounded by orchards, vineyards and lakes.
Category: Cookery Holidays and Wine Courses, France, Portugal
