Yzeures-sur-Creuse, France

The Loire Valley is known as the breadbasket of France and the Valley of the Kings. In this idyllic setting of rolling farmland and grand chateaux, Sidney and Alison Bond opened their cookery school, Le Calabash Petit Conservatoire de la Cuisine. Creating the school has allowed these two amazingly accomplished chefs to share their devotion for food, cooking, locally sourced quality food products (and each other!)

The school is located on the family’s farmstead. We were there at the end of the season but you could tell how beautiful the garden and grounds would look when in full bloom in the summer. The fully renovated and well equipped teaching space makes you feel like you are hanging out in someone’s kitchen.

Over the course of a week – we did the Culinary Adventure Course with an extra day trip to a truffle farm – Ali and Sid walked us through numerous dishes and techniques with immense skill and patience. They demystified seemingly impossible tasks (like smoking a fish, making a perfect soufflé or creating sugar decorations) building my confidence and making me feel like I could take on any challenge in the kitchen.

The pace was quite relaxed with a well structured mixture of cooking demonstrations, hands on sessions and tours of the surrounding area. We were even able to get in some sightseeing and visit nearby a winery, cheese farm and truffle farm to see artisanal food production at its best.

We thoroughly enjoyed our time with Sidney and Alison. They are two consummate, down to earth professionals who love what they are doing and effortlessly share that passion with others. If you have an interest in cooking and have the chance to go to Le Calabash, I would highly recommend that the experience.