Classic French cooking class with a local expert

Meet Françoise

Françoise learned to cook from her two grandfathers who were both fishermen; one was a cook during the second World War. As a child, Françoise used to visit Marseille where her grandparents live; her grandfather would work, fishing off the coast, from 3am to 12, and would then bring home the best of his catch to cook it for his family. It was her grandparents that taught her that the freshest fish is found in the best restaurants, and at the tables of the fisherman. <br><br> Françoise went on to have a successful career working as the art director for advertising agencies for 18 years. She left that career to move in to the food space and has since started her own catering business. Françoise has a delightful and colored family story, from her tales growing up with her fishermen grandfathers to living in Africa for three years. Françoise is also passionate about doing anything with her hands and is incredibly creative; her beautiful home is lined with her handiwork, from beautiful collage boxes of her travel finds from around the world to metal embossing to cocardes (antique lace and bleu/blanc/rouge embroidery). Be sure to ask Françoise for her flea market recommendations, as well! She is an avid flea market lover and visits the Bruxelles market monthly. <br><br> Françoise is also open to offering a personal chef experience where she can cook in your vacation rental, if you prefer.

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

Cooking experience (1 - 8 guests) Step in to Françoise's beautiful, large apartment that is tastefully filled with finds from travels around the world and her own impressive handiwork. Join her in the kitchen and over cheese nibbles or snacks, learn how to make a classic French main dish (or dessert if you prefer). For your main, you might make a dish such as feuilleté with leeks and shrimp in a ginger sauce, steak with a classic French Béarnaise sauce or poulet à l'estragon (chicken in a tarragon sauce).

After cooking, enjoy your lunch around Francoise's large dining table featuring the classic French main course that you cooked together. End your meal with a traditional French dessert such as strawberry tartelettes (homemade lemon crust, crème pâtissière au Grand Marnier) or île flottante (a soft meringue served on top of a sweet custard) which will be served with Champagne (included in the cost of your experience.) Françoise is excited to share her culture through food and offer an authentic/traditional cooking class in Paris. She can also accommodate a vegetarian diet in her French cooking class.

Market visit (1 - 8 guests) Meet in front of Sainte-Marie des Batignolles and walk together to the local covered market to meet some of Francoise's local producers (all of whom know Francoise well from her frequent visits!). You might stop at the local fishmonger, the fromagerie, and the produce store on your way home, and on your way pick up a selection ingredients for your cooking class and meal. Walk the short way (less than ten minutes) back to Francoise's apartment where you will prepare your meal together and enjoy it at Francoise's large table in her kitchen.

Please note that market tours are not available on Mondays since the markets are closed then. Also, on Sunday's the market is only available in the morning at 9:15am.

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