I've been following the Facebook updates for Culinary Getaways, and Sherry Page, travel and foodie extraordinaire, is yet on another exciting Culinary Getaway, this time a week in Paris and another week in Provence.
Showing posts with label PROVENCE. Show all posts
Showing posts with label PROVENCE. Show all posts
La Fromagerie du Comtat Cheese Shop Provence, France
I've been following the Facebook updates for Culinary Getaways, and Sherry Page, travel and foodie extraordinaire, is yet on another exciting Culinary Getaway, this time a week in Paris and another week in Provence.
Chez Bruno The Ultimate Truffle Dining Experience Provence, France
Chez Bruno is one of the most unique restaurants in the world, specializing in dishes that include one of the rarest and most prized ingredients: black truffles.
Joël Durand Chocolatier
"Chocolate making is my passion. The fascinating complexity, range of flavours and different stages of tasting give me pleasure everyday. I have created these chocolates to share with you my passion and delight..."
- Joël Durand
Château Beaucastel Winery of Châteauneuf-du-Pape
It has been dubbed the crown jewel of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, a winery that stands neck to neck with the elite producers of the world, and in the wine business, it is one that needs no introduction: Château Beaucastel.
FRENCH COOKING CLASS IN PROVENCE
There are many reasons for why I enjoyed going on Truffle Week with Culinary Getaways. Of tremendous value to me was the fact that the entire trip had been well-thought out, well-coordinated and planned, so that where we went, at what time and how got there, rolled together seamlessly. Even more important were the diverse activities on the trip, things I wouldn't have considered if I was traveling alone, such as the cooking instruction at Concept Chef. For this particular activity, I took away a few observations of about the French perspective on cooking in contrast to the American viewpoint. Neither right nor wrong, but I found several of them interesting.
READY TO POUNCE
Look at this guy's eyes, doesn't he look like he's ready to pounce? I swear he was very friendly in person. He was purring with every loving stroke, he let me scratch behind his ears and along his jawline. Very friendly indeed. So much so that I started snapping a bunch of photos of him. He started to move slowly. And before I was able to follow his movements through my camera lens, I felt claws digging into my thighs, and onto my shoulders. I was petrified.
TRADITIONAL PROVENCAL MARKET - AVIGNON LES HALLES
On our second day of truffle week, we headed to Avignon Les Halles, a traditional Provencal food market in Avignon. There we met Chef Julien Chauvet for a cooking instruction at his studio, Concept Chef. On the menu were:
- Cod Brandade with Truffles
- Chicken Fricassée with Truffles
- Truffle Mashed Potatoes
- Pineapple Kiwi Carpaccio in Truffle Syrup
GOURMET ATTITUDE & TRUFFLED SCRAMBLED EGGS
Two days before I endeavored on my truffle adventure in Provence, I was notified by Lori Lynn that I had won a fresh black truffle giveaway from Gourmet Attitude on her blog, Taste with the Eyes. I was ecstatic at the news and took it as an omen that I would have an incredible experience learning about truffles in Provence. As can you tell from the gusto with which I have written recent posts, it indeed was a good omen as I did have an amazing time in Provence!
TRUFFLE HUNTING IN PROVENCE
Journey a land where the earth breeds precious nuggets of black gold, where men roam furtively to uncover such treasures, and where secrets to such an odyssey is passed on from one generation to the next in discreet whispers. As elusive as the description of the truffle hunting appears, my experience at Joel Gravier truffière or truffle orchard was much tamer. Truffle hunting on closed grounds in broad daylight with a group of gleeful women gasping and squealing each time Mr. Gravier dug up a knobby black truffle, made it seem more like an Easter Egg hunt than a speculative adventure. But make no mistake, the thrilling tales of truffle poaching, robberies and scandals heard on the trail were more than enough to supplement my expectations of excitement and danger.
TRUFFLE LUNCH AT LE JARDIN DU QUAI
Following an fascinating and fun-filled truffle hunt, which I will be posting soon, we headed to Chef Daniel Hébet's restaurant, Le Jardin du Quai.
L'ISLE SUR LA SORGUE
L'Isle-Sur-La-Sorgue is a small village in Luberon renown for the multitude of antique shops, watermills and the Sorgue River that runs through the canals and natural beds of this quaint town.
FIRST OF MANY TRUFFLE DINNERS
When I signed up for Culinary Getaways' truffle week, I knew I was in for something good, but had no idea of the extent of the extravagance ahead of me. Every meal, including breakfast, offered an opportunity to eat something with truffles. When I entered into the kitchen I thought I had just about died and gone to heaven.
ON MY WAY TO FRANCE
Bags are packed, passport in hand and I am ready to head off to France. Only it's snowing outside. Rather than being worried about air traffic delays, I am completely mesmerized by the powder white snow flakes flurrying from the heavens. It will be the same scene for the next few hours, but I can sit before my window and stare for days. I'm reflecting on life, how lucky I am to have such an incredible husband who makes my journey through life so fulfilling, parents who support and love me through life's trials, and of course friends, the many souls that that bring such warmth to my heart. What is it about snow that triggers such nostalgia? The thoughts of gratitude bring tears to my eyes, and I couldn't be happier.
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