Before we left for France, the Husband signed me up for a cooking class offered near our accomodations in the Dordogne region. Apparently, a former personal chef to Francois Mitterand (former president of France) lived about an hour from Beynac and offered modestly priced day-long cooking classes at her home--the same home, in fact, that her grandparents lived in during their lifetime. They called it La Borderie. There is something so endearing about naming one's home, don't you think?
Anyway, we met up in the morning at an outdoor food market in Sarlat. She taught me how to choose vendors and introduced me to some of the local specialites like duck, foie gras, unique cheeses. I had a wonderful time following her around and learning a few new tricks for next time...
In the afternoon I drove out to her property (thank you iPhone gps) around 3:30 p.m. and spent the next several hours cooking and eating with Daniele in her kitchen. Lucky for me, no one else signed up that week so I had this amazing cook all to myself. Oh happy day! This had apparently never happened. What fortune...
What I loved most about Daniele was that she exhibited zero pretention. She was so down-to-earth and modest about everything, even about the fact that her circle of friends included Alice Waters and Julia Child. She is also a mother of 4 children, which I found incredibly inspiring. Women are so capable! When I asked her what her favorite adventure was (she's had many), she said raising her children. Those words resonated deeply with me. Are you for real I thought? Yes...yes you are.
What an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime experience!
ReplyDeleteThis is so incredible! I bet you were in heaven!
ReplyDeleteWhat a thoughtful gift-- it will be hard to follow that one up!
ReplyDeleteWhat a guy! Lots of money in the relationship "bank" there (Covey's analogy, I think)! Way to go, B!
ReplyDeleteThat is such a fabulous story! What a husband to set that all up too!
ReplyDeleteThat is such a fabulous experience! She seems like an amazing women.
ReplyDeleteSteph, I bet you were in heaven absorbing the moment. What a lovely day and memory.
ReplyDeletethat is absolutely delightful. what a great husband. how fortunate you are!
ReplyDeleteSounds amazing. My other half is a fantastic cook (and mum). Her birthday's coming up and I'd like to be a fantastic husband too. Could you please let me have contact details for the cookery course?
ReplyDeleteGerry, here is the link to the cooking course:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.cooking-truffles.com/index.html
It looks like she might be able to spend the night too!
And to everyone else, yes, yes, yes...I was in heaven! I really couldn't believe it.
wow! What a lovely experience. And I totally agree with the gratitude for the iPhone gps-- we love to follow the blue dot (or liahona as Scott calls it!) and found it so so helpful in England! What did you make?
ReplyDeleteWhat a dream! All to yourself? Even better
ReplyDeleteSo is envy allowed? you really did have a vacation of a lifetime! Good for you! Tuscany next in 11?
ReplyDeleteHello, I am trying to find the contact information for Danielle to take her cooking class but the link you provided was empty. I was wondering if she still offers this class or if you have her direct email? Thank you!
ReplyDeleteMe too! I am planning a cooking trip to France for fall 2015 and want to spend time learning from Daniele, but it is darn difficult to find her contact info. Can you please help??
ReplyDelete