I’m an adventure traveler. Or I should say a foodie adventure traveler. I love exploring new places through the food. So when I was invited to spend a week at a cooking school in France, I jumped at the opportunity. I’d be learning classic cooking techniques at this French cooking class, including all those classic French mother sauces, along with exploring the local foods and wines of the region. And in true empty nest style, my husband, a non-cook, tagged along.
If you’ve ever visited Burgundy, you know its charm is irresistible. The rolling vineyards, ancient villages, and warm, welcoming locals make this region one of my favorite places on earth. Having spent time exploring Burgundy’s treasures before, I couldn’t resist returning—but this time, with a whisk in hand! My week at Katherine Frelon’s Culinary School at La Ferme de la Lochère was not just a vacation; it was an immersion into the soul of French cuisine and culture.
Getting To Burgundy And Arriving At La Ferme De La Lochère
We flew into Paris where I had also taken one of the French cooking classes at Le Foodist (high recommend – it’s one of the best cooking classes in Paris) and rented a car for our drive to Marigny le Cahouet for our French cooking class. We drove through the bucolic Bourgogne countryside, passing sleepy little villages and miles and miles of farmland. I could not imagine what the next few days had in store for us, but I was never more excited. Going to a cooking school in France was a dream.
Nestled in the quaint village of Marigny-le-Cahouët, this 400-year-old farmhouse is a slice of paradise. Picture this: stone walls covered in ivy, the gentle hum of bees in the garden, and the scent of lavender wafting through the air. Stepping into La Ferme de la Lochère felt like stepping back in time—but with all the modern comforts you could wish for.
I knew I was in for something special and looked forward to an amazing week at this French cooking class. Sidebar: On my first trip ever to Europe decades ago, I attended the Ritz Paris cooking school, Ecole Ritz Escoffier, and it’s a memory that has stuck with me forever. It’s quite possibly the most popular French cooking class Paris.
Market Mornings And Culinary Adventures For Our
French Cooking Class
Our itinerary for the week can best be described as perfect, exposing us to food, flavours and sites of the Burgundy, France. Each day would entail a local foodie adventure – to a goat farm for cheese-making, a local artisan bakery and the famed Dijon market, designed by Gustav Eiffel.
Every day began with an excursion to one of Burgundy’s famous open-air markets. She introduced us to her favorite vendors, from the cheesemonger who whispered secrets about aging Comté to the baker whose croissants melted in your mouth.
Playing Chef For A Week
The magic of Katherine’s cooking school isn’t just in the recipes; it’s in the connection. The farmhouse kitchen became a gathering place for laughter, storytelling, and learning. Katherine’s teaching style for her French cooking class is as much about technique as it is about embracing the joy of cooking.
She reminded us that French cuisine is as much about love as it is about skill—love for the ingredients, love for the process, and, most importantly, love for sharing the meal.
Daily Itinerary For The Cooking Class In Burgundy
When we returned in the afternoon, we cooked alongside Katherine in her gourmet kitchen. We learned the intricacies of French sauces, artfully butchered meats and elegant cheese platters. At night, we’d enjoy a multi-course dinner paired with a selection of Burgundy’s best wines. You can check out a typical week itinerary here.
My favorite meal of the trip was Katherine’s Beef Bourguignon, a homey, comforting dish iconic for this region of France. Katherine guided us step by step, demystifying the process. Sitting down to enjoy that rich, velvety stew with a glass of Pinot Noir from a nearby vineyard was one of the most satisfying meals of my life.
The Food and Wine of Burgundy
Burgundy is a region that feels like it was plucked straight from a storybook. Known for its rolling vineyards, picturesque villages, and deep historical roots, this part of France offers a perfect blend of beauty and tradition. From the medieval streets of Beaune, where the scent of freshly baked bread wafts through the air, to the serene canals of Chalon-sur-Saône, every corner of Burgundy invites you to slow down and savor life. It’s also a paradise for food and wine lovers. Burgundy is home to world-renowned Pinot Noirs, Chardonnays, and culinary treasures like Dijon mustard, Époisses cheese, and boeuf bourguignon. Whether you’re wandering through a bustling market or enjoying a leisurely meal in a centuries-old château, Burgundy’s rich culture and stunning landscapes leave an indelible mark on the soul.
Be sure to read about my recent barge cruise through Burgundy and you’ll see why I love this region!
Visiting Burgundy At My French Cooking Class
La Ferme de la Lochere offers true luxury accommodations for up to 10 people. You can also rent the entire villa and hire Katherine as your personal gourmet chef for your stay. This wasn’t just a cooking school—it was a full sensory experience. Between cooking sessions, I wandered the farmhouse’s lush gardens, revisiting the peacefulness I’d felt during my earlier travels in Burgundy. Katherine also arranged excursions to local vineyards. I indulged in tastings of Burgundy’s legendary wines, learning to savor every note and nuance.
Wine tasting in Burgundy
Brendan, of Wine Liaisons, is the perfect guide for exploring the wine of Burgundy. His humour, coupled with his knowledge of the region and relationships with local wineries, is an experience not to miss. Brendan says, “there are no winemakers in Burgundy, only farmers.” The farmers of Burgundy tend to their grape crops unlike any others. Brendan instructs his guests how to truly enjoy wines, saying, “The wines are not prepared for you. You must adapt to the wines.”
I’ve always associated Burgundy with deep red wines. So I was surprised to learn that Burgundy is really regarded for its whites. Burgundy’s Aligoté wines are crisp and light. What was once a “throwaway” grape planted on undesirable land has now been refined as the perfect lunch or early afternoon wine. Burgundy’s Chardonnay grapes produces some of the finest Grand Cru and Premier Cru wines in the world. The king of whites, Meursault, is produced in the commune of Meursault in Côte de Beaune.
Brendan offers a number of specialised tours covering the entire region of Burgundy. He prefers to take his guests to the family wineries for a truly authentic experience.
Be sure to check out my article on How To Taste Wines Like A Pro.
Ready to plan your week at a French cooking class? Visit Katherine Frelon’s Culinary School to book your spot, and don’t forget to savor every moment. And be sure to contact Brendan for the best Burgundy wine tours. Trust me, it will be a week you’ll never forget.
Bon appétit!