Cooking Holiday Venue
INTERACTIVE IMAGE
Mouse-over marked areas of the buildings in the photo above,
then
click to see images of the interiors.
Cookinfrance is based at our former farm whose buildings date from 1606...
It is set in its own lawned and wooded grounds on a gentle south-facing slope with no immediate neighbours. It is surrounded by beautiful rolling French countryside.
Built in 1926 of local stone on the ruinous foundations of an existing 400 year old structure, the barn in which the kitchen is situated, was originally intended as a store for grain and animal feed, but its use was constantly revised over the ensuing decades.
Changing times...
After the 1939 war, as the farm's prosperity waned, the barn was utilised as a crèche for the family's four remaining cows, and sometime during the 1970's it was converted into a tobacco-drying hangar. Then, sadly, the last remaining inhabitants died and the farm fell into disrepair.
A fresh lease of life...
So, for the next quarter century the farm lay uninhabited - until now. Through hard work and lots of elbow grease - and sometimes just grim determination! - the farm and its barn have been given a fresh lease of life and a proud new role - as the venue for our fun friendly hands-on cooking holidays.
Gone are the cows and tobacco-drying apparatus to be replaced with...
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A 10m x 6m fully-equipped kitchen:
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four stainless steel gas hobs
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semi-industrial five burner Smeg gas hob with extra-wide fan oven
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three washup areas
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stainless steel cooking utensils
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ergonomic central food preparation island
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1st Aid and fire prevention equipment
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- 12m x 6m first-floor lounge and dining area:
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comfortable modern furniture
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large dining table seating up to fourteen
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full central heating
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wide-screen TV with UK satellite channels
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HiFi, DVD and VCR equipment
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Internet and Email access
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5m high vaulted ceiling
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great views
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- Four large ground-floor bedrooms:
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central heating
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en-suite toilets and showers
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American standard plumbing
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tea and coffee making facilities
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cool in summer, warm in winter
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- Seven acres of lawned grounds:
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10m x5m pool (open air, seasonal)
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green lanes to wander in
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apple, plum, fig, pear and cherry trees to pick from
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safe and secure rural environment free from the stresses and strains of modern life
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You can choose from our flexible range of one-day, two-day or three-day cooking courses, or come for our great value five-day/five-night cooking holiday.
Courses and holidays can be residential or non-residential - it's your choice. Non-cooking friends/partners welcome.
A cooking holiday can be cheaper than you think - find out how much our great value cooking holidays actually cost - you'll be pleasantly surprised!
The barn, as it was
in 1930
A 1930's wedding party held at Bombel
The barn interior, as we found it in 2000
The kitchen now - different, isn't it?!
The barn, as it is now
Special reduced rates for all our Facebook & Twitter fans & followers
After 7 years, even in these difficult times, our courses are more popular than ever!.
Which means, I suppose, that everyone still likes to get away for that much- needed break.
And, if that includes a great value activity such as cooking, painting or photography, well, we have just the thing for you!
Need a unique gift for someone special?
Then why not send them here on a course?
Infinitely flexible and valid for up to a year from date of purchase, gift vouchers can cover our full range of courses.
So, make someone's day a special one - order a gift voucher now and we'll get it to you today!
Here you'll receive our undivided attention.
We don't rent gites or holiday homes or do Chambre d'Hote to supplement our income
So, our thriving Cooking, Painting and Photography courses run all year round just for you!
Come and meet the team
Are you worried about the Pound/Dollar/Euro exchange rate?
Read more to see how your holiday can beat the recession...
(Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday)
Want to be sure? Read our great testimonials
Learn how to cook pastries, breads and soups
Select and prepare the best fish and shellfish
Butcher common joints of meat
Cook classic French and Italian sauces
Construct modern dressings
Master the art of stylish contemporary food presentation
• Hands-on practical tuition with experienced friendly tutors
• All ingredients
• Utensils
• Aprons
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Wine and beverages
