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Experience French Culinary Arts
Hands-On Cooking Classes in France

We'll start the program on Friday with a warm welcome at our culinary school, where we'll meet and greet guests.

After you settle into your room, we will meet for a welcome dinner. This gourmet dinner will include a Champagne apéritif and a seasonal selection . The menu, prepared by Executive Chef Eric will highlight fresh foods from our garden and special artisan products.

 

Throughout the week, we'll meet each morning in our kitchen for hands-on cooking classes. You'll learn the importance of growing your own ingredients, sourcing locally, and cooking with the seasons.

 

Our classes will focus on classic French cooking techniques, patisserie, and essential methods every home cook should know.

We will cover key cooking skills, including proper knife skills and maintaining a well-stocked pantry,

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We will also work on essential methods such as blanching, braising, frying, grilling, poaching, roasting, sautéing, and searing.

You will then dive into French butchery techniques, prepare essential stocks and sauces.

And you will learn to master sous vide cooking, perfect pastry doughs, desserts, soufflés, sugar and chocolate work.

 

Each day will conclude with a six-course gourmet dinner, where you can relax with a glass of wine.

 

You will get a folder with menus and recipes from our cooking classes, allowing you to make the dishes at home.

 

The aim of this course is to enhance and elevate your culinary expertise.

By the end, you’ll not only feel confident in the kitchen but also have a deep understanding of ingredients and techniques to take your cooking to new heights.

 

While mastering French culinary techniques remains integral, we now invite you to delve deeper. Within a convenient radius of our scenic haven, a kaleidoscope of cultural treasures awaits...

Iconic destinations like Le Mont Saint Michel, Saint Malo, and Cancale make day trip ideas not be missed.

 

Our property is a heaven for wildlife. It has many types of plants. We have trees, shrubs, and prairie flowers as well as many edible flowers and herbs. These include chervil, chive, shizo, tarragon, bleuet, borage, nasturtium, and violets...

 

Our chickens provide fresh eggs, and our bees contribute honey from our garden.

 

We make all our jams from our own fruits. The fruits we use changes with the seasons. Some examples are rhubarb, raspberry, cherry, kiwi, pumpkin, and green tomato.

 

As passionate advocates of farm-to-table cooking, we’ve always maintained a garden, and we're excited to share this with you.

 

We’ll provide insight into embracing nature by growing some of the food you cook and enjoy a beautiful lunch in the garden.

 

We believe that cooking with nutritious ingredients leads to a more fulfilling and healthier lifestyle. Growing your own food nourishes both the body and the soul, and we’re thrilled to show you how to do just that

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Go beyond the kitchen! Dive deep into French culture with immersive excursions​

FRENCH COOKING COURSES IN FRANCE

1

French Cooking School

CULINARY ADVENTURE

5 Night (6 Days)

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  • Knife/kitchen skills

  • Butchery

  • Classic French cooking methods & technique.

  • Laval: Local farmers market with shopping. 

  • Vitre": Cultural tour with shopping. 

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Embark on a culinary odyssey to master the art of French cuisine! This intensive course equips you with the skills to become a confident chef, transcending basic techniques and venturing deeper into the world of French culinary excellence.

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March 7-12 2025

March 21-26 2025

May 23-28 2025

June 20-25 2025

September 19-24 2025

October 3-8 2025

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Other dates also available on request, group of 4 minimum per booking

Class size is restricted to just six students, ensuring personalized attention and a truly intimate learning experience.

 

Price: 3725 Euros per person.

2600 Euros per non participant

Limited spots available, 

2

French Cooking School

GOURMET ODYSSEY

6 Night (7 Days)

 

  • Advanced Knife/kitchen skills

  • Butchery

  • Fish filleting

  • Advanced French cooking methods & techniques

  • Advanced French pastry methods & techniques

  • Pastry Masterclass

  • Menu Planning

  • Laval: Local farmers market with shopping. 

  • Vitré: Cultural tour with shopping. 

 

The Gourmet Odyssey Itinerary at The Walnut Grove Cookery School offers a 6-night intensive immersion into the intricacies of Haute French cuisine, ideally suited for returning and/or advanced at home chefs. 

 

Offered on multiple dates, this course pushes your culinary boundaries and refines your skills to new heights.

 

May 9-15 2025

June 6-12 2025

August 8-14 2025

September 5-11 2025

 

Other dates also available on request, group of 4 minimum per booking

Class size is restricted to just six students, ensuring personalized attention and a truly intimate learning experience.

 

Price: 5500 Euros per person.

3850 Euros per non participant 

Limited spots available,

3

French Cooking School

BESPOKE FRENCH PRESTIGE

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Don't see a course that perfectly fits your culinary desires? At Walnut Grove Cookery School, we believe in creating personalized experiences. We offer the flexibility to craft your own bespoke culinary course, tailored to your specific interests, schedule and group size (1-6 guests).​

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Your Dates. Your Way.

1-6 Guests. 

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Embrace the flexibility and create your ideal culinary escape! Contact us today to discuss your vision and start building your bespoke course at Walnut Grove Cookery School.

The French Cooking School Prices

Our Prices Include

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  • Guest accommodations at the Farm or In the Village.  

  • All course instruction & equipment. 

  • Excursions, as noted, in the course descriptions. 

  • Daily Breakfast, Lunch & Dinners as noted in the course descriptions.

  • Please Note: Most itineraries include a welcome Champagne & Canape' Reception; A Six Course Gourmet Dinner Prepared by Chef Duvin; Remaining Nights: Gourmet Dinners Prepared by the Students with Chef's Assistance.

  • All transportation for activities listed in each itinerary is included, providing smooth and hassle-free travel throughout your entire experience.

  • Roundtrip transfers from Gare Laval (Limited times only)

  • Complimentary On-site Parking 

  • Complimentary access to Wi-Fi 

  • A comprehensive recipe folder to guide your culinary journey, making it easy to recreate delicious dishes at home.

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Our Prices Exclude​:

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  • Guest laundry / valet  

  • Wine or spirits ordered on-site

  • Any gifts purchases on-site

  • Airfare, train or car rental fees associated with your travel​

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