Overview
Nestled amid the rolling hills of St. Hilaire du Maine, just 80 minutes west of Paris by train, our organic farm is a sanctuary where the bounty of the land feeds both body & soul. Join our Executive Chef, a Master of classic French cuisine, and dive into the rhythm of French cuisine & market culture. This idyllic 200-year old French farmhouse is the perfect setting for an intensive gourmet course and to gain confidence in a French kitchen.
Recommended for:
Travellers who like to join a small group of like-minded companions to share the experience with. If you are looking for daily cooking classes and excursions, and don’t want to worry about logistics. We will take care of everything!
Highlights:
Location
The charming farmhouse is nestled in the Loire, ideally situated near the boarders of Brittany and Normandy and just a drive from the Valley of the Loire with its romantic castles. It is a charming retreat in an unspoilt region – a perfect location for an intensive gourmet experience!
Local culture:
There are plenty of places of interest to discover in the area –from the beautiful Basilique Notre Dame d’Avesnières in Laval, dates back to before the 11th century to the chateaux such as Château de Craon, Château d’Angers and Château and City of Vitré.
Valley of the Loire:
Take a 2-hour drive to the heart of the Loire, to explore some of the best vineyards of the world, and an abundance of medieval castles
Golf:
There are two top class golf courses in the area, one at Vitré and another at Changé-les-Laval – both about a 30minute drive away
Fishing:
There are a number of excellent fishing rivers: the Mayenne, the Erv….Almost each town has its own lake, deep, well kept and restocked with fish for each fishing season
About the cooking course/ chef
Enjoying cooking is all about confidence, being relaxed and understanding your ingredients. Skilfully combining flavours, textures and presentation is within all of us, our aim at the Walnut Grove is to bring these qualities out, so that you have the ability to follow your own flair and imagination.
Our professionally equipped kitchen is just across the courtyard from the farmhouse and has been specifically designed for your cookery holiday. With a high ceiling and exposed beams, our large kitchen is light and airy and is ideal for learning to cook. And we all share a healthy sense of humour so you can be sure of plenty of laughter! This is where friendships are formed.
Dinner each evening is a six-course gourmet dinner, with fine wine and intimate conversation.
The first evening’s six-course gourmet dinner is an introduction to the culinary themes covered by the week’s cookery course, hosted by our two modern chefs who use the freshest ingredients with an emphasis on distinct flavours and clean, meticulous presentation. Daily courses begin with a demonstration followed by a hands-on class, with preparation of the gourmet dishes for the evening meal.
Your gourmet chef
Your host is a talented, professional chef with over 25 years of experience at top kitchens. During your stay he will share his passion for fresh ingredients, distinct flavours and clean, meticulous presentation.
Our chef’s impressive clientele includes His Grace the 11th Duke of Beaufort, the German Ambassador as well as Her Majesty the Queen and His Majesty the King of Jordan. His specialties range from Traditional French, to Modern European and Mediterranean Cuisine, as well as a variety of Asian styles.
Now, our Chef brings that same expertise and commitment for excellence to his work teaching others how to create their own culinary masterpieces. His style of teaching is professional, yet supportive and focused on having fun in the kitchen. Our goal is to create an atmosphere that is educational, while still being a relaxing retreat for our guests. We want everyone to feel the same excitement we have for exploring new possibilities through cooking. And absolutely no washing up!
Accommodation
This beautiful property and are surrounded by tranquil grounds and country side.
The professionally equipped kitchen has been exclusively designed for the use of course participants. With a high ceiling and exposed beams, the large kitchen is light and airy and retains a soft country ambiance, as does the beautifully renovated farmhouse, which has an open fireplace, and two lovely en-suite bedrooms. We do take a max of 6 guests on the course and once the two rooms are filled, guests will stay at a charming B&B nearby. Daily transfers are complimentary.
Dates
Culinary Adventure (5n/6d)
March 7-12 2025
March 21-26 2025
May 23-28 2025
June 20-25 2025
September 19-24 2025
October 3-8 2025
Advanced Itinerary (6n/7d)
May 9-15 2025
June 6-12 2025
August 8-14 2025
September 5-11 2025
Gourmet French Cuisine (6n/7d)
available upon request for min 4 guests
Classical French (5n/6d)
available upon request for min 4 guests
Add-on options – one extra day to your course for excursions to:
- Visit Mont St Michel
- Visit Cancale & Saint Malo
- Visit Dinan
Bespoke itineraries are available year-round on request for 1- 6 guests
Additional dates available for small groups upon request.
Prices
Prices per person
Classical French (6d/5n): Euro 2,725
Culinary Adventure (6d/5n): Euro 3,725 pp
Gourmet French Cuisine (7d/6n): Euro 4,500 pp
Advanced itinerary (7d/6n): Euro 5,500 pp
Includes
Classical French (6d/5n)
Introduction to French cooking and pastry and cultural excursions.
- 5 nights ensuite accommodation
- 6-course welcome dinner incl. Champagne reception
- All gourmet meals, prepared by the guests with chef’s assistance
- All hands-on cooking classes with a professional French chef, recipes, certificates
- Introduction to French cooking
- Eclairs and Choux Puff Masterclass
- Laval: Market tour and shopping
- Vitré: Cultural Tour with Shopping
- Fougères visit: Medieval fortress
Culinary adventure (6d/5n)
Essentials of French cooking and intensive cooking with chef’s visits to the market.
- 5 nights ensuite accommodation
- 6-course welcome dinner incl. Champagne reception
- All gourmet meals, prepared by the guests with chef’s assistance
- Laval: Local farmers market with shopping
- All hands-on cooking classes with a professional French chef, recipes, certificates:
- Knife/kitchen skills
- Butchery
- Fish filleting
- Classic French cooking methods & techniques
- Menu Planning
Gourmet French Cuisine (7d/6n)
Essentials of Haute French cooking, gourmet meals and culinary exploration
- 6 nights ensuite accommodation
- 6-course welcome dinner incl. Champagne reception
- All gourmet meals, prepared by the guests with chef’s assistance
- All hands-on cooking classes with a professional French chef, recipes, certificates
- Pastry MasterClass with French Patissier
- Visit to the colourful market in Laval, together with our chef
- Visit to Sainte-Suzanne, one of the most beautiful villages in France
- Shopping & exploration in Vitré, the “1000 Year Old City”
- Transport from Laval train station at scheduled times
Advanced itinerary (7d/6n)
- Immersion of Haute French cuisine, suitable for returning or advanced home chefs
- 6 nights ensuite accommodation
- 6-course welcome dinner incl. Champagne reception
- All gourmet meals, prepared by the guests with chef’s assistance
- All hands-on cooking classes with a professional French chef, recipes, certificates
- Advanced Knife/kitchen skills
- Butchery
- Advanced French cooking methods & techniques
- Pastry Masterclass
- Menu Planning
- Laval: Local farmers market with shopping.
- Vitré: Cultural tour with shopping.
Excludes
Alcohol, travel to and from cooking school in France
Getting There
The closest airport is Rennes which is a 1hr drive.
St Malo/Dinard is 2hrs drive, Paris is 3 to 4hrs drive.
There is a fast train (TGV) between Rennes and Paris, stopping at Laval station. We arrange transfers from Laval at recommended times.
Extended:
There is a fast train (TGV) between Rennes and Paris, stopping at Laval station. We arrange transfers from Laval for the 15.36 train (Leaves Paris at 14.00) only. For the return train on Thursday we provide transfer for the train that leaves Laval at 11.41 to Paris.
Map
Sample Itinerary
Each day, you’ll experiment with new flavours and new techniques using the freshest ingredients with expert guidance. Our courses are run with a professional yet relaxed holiday atmosphere, we believe that this is the ideal way of combining a holiday with culinary development.
You’ll arrive on Saturday, mid afternoon. After some time settling in to your room, the course begins with an introductory talk to discuss the structure and goals of the programme. Later in the evening, after complimentary champagne, you’ll enjoy a 6-course gourmet dinner that illustrates the cooking style you’ll be learning during your cookery course, with explanations by your chef and host. It’s also a wonderful opportunity to relax and get to know your fellow guests.
Each day after breakfast, there will be both demonstrations and hands-on classes, ranging from basic knife skills to classic French menus and even caramelised sugar baskets.
This is followed by preparation of the evening meal, with gourmet dishes such as apple & goats cheese croustade with a roquette & walnut salad or Collops of monkfish glazed with a herb, mustard & brioche crust, served with saffron tagliatelli and a white wine, mussel and dill sauce.
On Monday after a light lunch, you’ll get to enjoy some of the local culture with a visit to a 19th century windmill producing buckwheat flour in the traditional method. On Tuesday afternoon we have a master French pâtissier, Anthony Vancilli who will come to the Walnut Grove and teach you the secrets of making traditional all butter croissants and a French favourite – macaroons!
Early evenings are all about more hands-on fun in the kitchen, as you put the finishing touches on dinner, learning last minute cooking techniques and high quality restaurant presentation skills. It’s then time to sit down and revel in the stunning food you’ve learned to prepare.
On the last day, you’ll be challenged to use all the skills and knowledge acquired during the week as you work in teams to prepare and present the last meal with only a little guidance from the chefs. To relieve the pressure, a gourmet barbecue is served in the afternoon, followed by a game of croquet or boules in the garden. Then back to the kitchen for final preparations before sitting down to your gastronomic feast.
One of the best courses I have ever done!
“One of the best courses I have ever done, cleverley structured, so that your confidence really increases as the week progresses. It’s great fun too.”
Jenni Muir, author of ‘A Place to Cook’ and ‘Cooking School Holidays’ and ex-chairman of the British Guild of Food Writers Association.
“One of “The five best Cook- schools in France”
The Independent UK
“It completely surpassed my expectations. Best deal out there and absolutely excellent course.”
Caryn P., California
“Serious cooking in a pleasing environment”
“I am happy to say that I have come to have great faith in your brand. I enjoyed Walnut Grove and I got a lot out of it. The instruction is well designed as an advanced course in as much as it focuses on the things that underlie good cooking. The emphasis is not so much on putting food on the plate as on the elements and processes that are the foundation of great dishes. I also liked the emphasis on menu planning and pushing the students to create their own dished.
Maynard and Benedict inspire confidence, and they are highly personable and a pleasure to learn from. I also think that, outside of the kitchen, they run a good establishment so the “off-duty” hours are spent in ease and comfort.
I’d be happy to recommend Walnut Grove’s advanced course to anyone who wants to do some serious cooking in a pleasing environment.
Thanks for your contribution to the smoothly executed bookings and other arrangement.”
Lester V., UK
A fond memory in my heart
“Firstly I liked to say thank you for your help and suggestion. Without your prompt emails my vacation would not have been possible.
Walnut Grove was magical. Maynard, Freya and Bernidict were the perfect hosts. The farm house was beautiful and cosy…. We all bonded really well and enjoyed each others company.
The cooking and teaching was great. The food we cooked and ate were delicious-scrumptious. I did wonder how I would manage six courses each night but rose to the challenge. My favourite was the lemon tart dessert served with coconut parfait and honey wafer.
I would highly recommend Walnut Grove to anyone looking for a holiday who enjoys cooking and making new friendships. Loved my time and miss everyone dearly.
Walnut Grove will hold a fond memory in my heart for my first solo vacation.
Many thanks for your help.”
Michelle T., UK
Excellent teachers. Superb accommodation.
“We don’t have enough words to express how absolutely wonderful we found the entire experience!! The classes were excellently given and organized and both chefs were excellent teachers. We learned so much! The accommodations were superb and so was the attention. Would be very difficult to find a course as good as this one. We want to go back for the advanced course – that’s how much we loved it. Will recommend this to everyone I know!”
Maria F., Miami, US
Fantastic place, fantastic chefs fantastic food
“I can highly recommend this course. Fantastic place, fantastic chefs and most of all fantastic food. I couldn’t believe that I was able to cook and present food that looked and tasted as great as it did. Freya, Maynard and Benedict are wonderful hosts and make you feel very welcome.”
Kay G., Australia
Perfect balance of learning and relaxation
“Couldn’t’ be happier with our experience. Accommodations lovely, no scrimping on foods (actually excessive amounts of food according to my scales this morning) and a perfect balance of learning and relaxation. Would wholeheartedly recommend to all age groups.
Usually after a trip like this, you have a few recommendations to improve. This time, I have none. It was just fabulous.”
Jay W., Canada (group of 4 friends)
An absolute gem!
“We had an over the top experience, and appreciate that Freya, Maynard and Benedict gave more of themselves than they normally do, hanging with us the last night, dancing and drinking and laughing. It was funny to see Maynard be so serious the first day, and then mellow out and have fun with us. We were a small group, so it meant we had more one on one time. I would recommend this course to anyone who is interested in pretty, French, detailed and delicate cooking.
I took away a ton of things I can apply to my every day cooking and some very wonderful aspects for entertainment. Maynard and Benedict are two very special, lovely guys and made our time exceptional. Freya is completely adorable and supportive and joined us on our last night for the “challenge” dinner as our “food critic”. We laughed and giggled and talked about it all the way home. An absolute gem!”
Janet R., Canada
Unbelievable learning experience
“I had a great time at the Walnut Grove! It was probably the most relaxing vacation I have ever taken. I really enjoyed being in the countryside and surrounded by nothing but nature Maynard, Benedict and Freya were so wonderful and such gracious hosts. The cooking was an unbelievable learning experience and the food was so delicious!! I think I’m totally spoiled now because after a week of eating 6 course gourmet dinners, everything else tastes terrible now. Thankfully I can now cook for myself which I can do as a result of the course. Thanks for all your help in setting this up. I will definitely be back for another amazing course!”
Eliza G., NY, US
Love to come back for the advanced course
“I had a fantastic time at Walnut Grove. I really enjoyed the whole experience – the location was beautiful, the accommodation was great and the cooking course was fantastic. I’d love to go back and do the advanced course one day.”
Lara N., NY, US
A++
“Very glad to give an A++ rating for walnut grove. The program was all I hoped for in cooking instruction and the attention from the Harveys was excellent! Accommodations were wonderful. It was a great experience for me! I would like to come back for a similar course in other locations, too. Thank you so much for your assistance in arranging the trip!”
Sally S., NC, US
Exceeded expectations
“It was a great tour.
Maynard, Benedict and Freya were very knowledgeable, and caring. The trips to the fromagerie and wind mill were great fun. I love history and preservation so they were a wonderful tie in. The location, out in the country (Loire valley), was quiet and beautiful, gently rolling hills, lots of muted fall colors. The accommodations are comfortable, like visiting a friend’s home.
We worked hard and learned a lot. I made the vierge salad dressing last night. I have to go kitchen tool shopping!
I have a new best friend in Tokyo!
Over all, the tour exceeded expectations by far. I would highly recommend it for hobby and experienced home cooks.”
Pam M., US