Cooking lessons
Cooking classes will be provided by Chef Natalia Arizmendi
-Grand Diplôme Cordon Bleu- or another French chef if she is not available
The Domaine d'Espérance, an 18th century country house surrounded by vineyards and the gently rolling hills of Gascony, is in the heart of Bas-Armagnac, 90 mn from Bordeaux. The fresh air and the rural atmosphere make it an ideal setting for the relaxed study of the art of French cooking.
Six times a year, one-week seminars are held in the spacious kitchen. Enrollment is kept to a maximum of nine.
You can also organize a private session of cooking course, for a minimum of 4 people.
After a welcoming buffet, the classes begin usually from Monday afternoon and go on to Friday night in the kitchen of the domain. Each morning is devoted to theoretical lessons; in the afternoon you will gain practical experience, preparing the evening meal under the supervision of the chef.
Sessions of 2,3,4 days are also possible upon request.
Chef Natalia Arizmendi *, who has a obtained a "Grand Diplôme" from the Cordon Bleu, has taught both cooking and pastry for more than 15 years.
A gifted and humorous teacher, she will share with you, in French, English or Spanish, the refinements of her skills.
Chef Arizmendi has planned the series of seminars to take advantage of the changing seasons and uses fresh ingredients at their best.
- Autumn and winter courses will nourish and warm you with robust stews ;
- Spring and summer courses will bring the delights of fresh vegetables, salads and cold buffets.
* Other recognized chefs participate to our programs, according to dates and to their availability.
Practical information
Transportation
Included in the program, different visits are scheduled every day: on Thursday morning to the local market and on Saturday morning to the cave and ageing cellars of domains on the way back to Bordeaux, followed by a picnic before departure.
The weeks schedule allows ample free time. Depending on the season, the weather or your mood, you can read by the fire, walk in the wooded pathways or vineyards, take a swim in the pool, play tennis or taste the armagnac from our cellars.
Lodging is provided in the fresh and comfortable guest rooms of the house, each with two single beds or a double bed and a private bathroom, with a nice smell of wax and countryside
.
TRAIN : Collection on Monday morning from the TGV arriving at the Bordeaux train station, and for the return to the station for the TGV the following Saturday afternoon.
Other travel can be arranged on request at an additional charge, either from Bordeaux, Agen, Bergerac, Pau or Biarritz airports.
Terms & Conditions
The Domaine d’Espérance reserves the right to cancel anyone of the seminars if there is not sufficient enrollment.
In case of withdrawal after the beginning of the course, no refund will be made.