Learning to Cook in the Rhône-Alpes
Special to Road Trips for Foodies
By the French Government Tourist Office
Cooking courses are increasingly popular ideas for vacationers, and the Rhône-Alpes offers a number of options.
Some choices are even headed up by top chefs including a couple of 3-star luminaries, Paul Bocuse (his Institut Paul Bocuse offers intensive six-week courses in English and French for amateur chefs) and Anne-Sophie Pic, whose cooking school in Valence features a range of options starting at 39€ per person.
One of Bocuse’s former colleagues, Jean-Marc Villard, now provides a range of cooking courses from his home in Champagne aux Monts d’Or, close to Lyon. He can only host small groups at any one time and is able to conduct lessons in either English or French.
Guests wanting to learn some of the culinary secrets of chef and hotelier Michel Rochedy can sign up for cooking classes on select Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Chabichou in Courchevel.
Children and teens often love to experiment with ingredients and recipes, and two chefs in the region have spotted the potential to develop this young talent: Dominique Roué in Divonne-les-Bains (Ain) and Philippe Gauvreau, who has two Michelin stars at his restaurant near Lyon. Both establishments also offer a range of other lessons, including wine tasting.
Gastronomic courses are not exclusive to restaurants and schools. The Drôme area’s Valrhona company, which makes some of the world’s best chocolate, also has a program of courses based on the use of chocolate in sweet recipes.
The idyllic La Maison du Moulin guest house in Grignan, Drôme, with its five guest rooms and self-catering gîte, offers cooking courses based on truffles and other local produce.
Wine buffs might be tempted by the various courses available, such as Alpes Flaveurs, based near Chambéry and run by qualified wine expert and mountain guide Bernard Vissoud. He will organize wine tours and tastings as well as accommodation if required.
The professional wine school based in Suze la Rousse, in the Drôme Provençale, provides courses and diplomas for students planning a career in wine as well as program of course for amateurs.
One of its former pupils, Marie-Josée Faure, has set up her own business called Les Sens’Ciel which offers tastings, courses and themed workshops.
Another wine expert, award-winning sommelier John Euvrard, is based in Lyon offering consultancy services and training for both businesses and the general public.
(Photo courtesy of Institut Paul Bocuse)
