Around the World from the Heart of France with Tamatiestraat

Fully Booked

Immerse yourself in an unforgettable holiday retreat at the serene Château La Creuzette. This whimsical château invites you to indulge in a unique blend of history, luxury, and culinary excellence. In collaboration with the celebrated Tamatiestraat from Stellenbosch, we present an exclusive series of cooking classes. Embark on a culinary journey that takes you around the world, all while rooted in the enchanting heart of France. This unique experience combines the rich heritage of global cuisines with the elegance and charm of French gastronomy. Each cooking class is designed to transport your senses to a different corner of the globe, immersing you in the flavours, traditions, and stories of diverse cultures. Join us for a memorable holiday filled with fun, and unforgettable moments

Cost Breakdown

La Creuzette’s special interest programmes are carefully compiled to ensure that you have the ultimate, hassle-free luxury holiday experience. Our all-inclusive land arrangement means that everything aside from travel costs, Schengen visas and personal expenses are taken care of as follows:

€3 150 per person sharing

- Collection from Châteauroux train station on the 28^th September and transfer to La Creuzette

- Luxurious accommodation at La Creuzette for the 5 nights / 6 days in double or twin rooms

- Full board accommodation including all meals with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks (also at restaurants we visit)

- All excursions including entrance fees

- All cooking sessions with Reinée and Deon Brand from Tamatiestraat

- Wine pairings with all the meals

- Transfer back to Châteauroux train station at the end of the week at La Creuzette

A non-refundable deposit of €1 000 secures your booking with the balance due on or before your arrival at La Creuzette. A single supplement of €650 for the week applies for single occupation.

Itinerary

Day 1 (Sunday, 28 September)

Collection from Châteauroux train station where the group will arrive between 14:00 and 15:00, and road transfer to Château La Creuzette. We have an hour’s drive to La Creuzette, your holiday residence in Boussac village. You arrive at your holiday destination in time for tea, coffee and macarons. Take some time to settle in, relax and explore the grounds. We meet at 19h30 for a glass of champagne in the chateau’s lounge, followed by our welcome dinner in the formal dining room.

Day 2 (Monday, 29 September)

Breakfast will be served at 9am in the main dining room. After breakfast, we meet the Tamatiestraat team in the summer kitchen. We enjoy a morning of cooking together and exploring several innovative recipes and cooking methods.

Greek Lunch Cooking Class

Greece, a land of contrasts, offers mesmerizing blue waters and rugged terrains, with 80% of its landscape consisting of mountains and hills. In our Greek Lunch Cooking Class, we celebrate the flavours and joy of the unassuming Greek Tavernas. These small, inexpensive restaurants are often filled with music and dancing, embodying the essence of life’s simple pleasures. Here, the food is no-nonsense but full of heart, crafted from the freshest local ingredients and prepared with passion using cherished family recipes.

After a morning of creative cuisine, we sit down to an alfresco lunch under the age-old oak trees. After a lazy lunch, we have a moment’s repose to enjoy relaxing time. Late afternoon, we return to the kitchen to continue our cooking session with Réinee and Deon in preparation for dinner.

"Braai Sides" Cooking Class

In South Africa, there's a humorous observation that men receive all the praise during a braai (barbecue), as if the side dishes miraculously appear on the table. In our "Braai Sides" Cooking Class, we give these side dishes the love and attention they deserve. Discover the importance of flavour and texture combinations and learn how to plan a dinner that delights without exhausting yourself. This class is a tribute to the often-overlooked stars of the table.

Dinner will be enjoyed in the summerhouse dining room around a beautifully set table

Day 3 (Tuesday, 30 September)

After breakfast, our excursion today takes us to the magical Arboretum de la Sedelle, classified as a remarkable garden since 2005. The gentle relationship of the successive gardens in this magic valley descending towards the Sedelle, with its different natural environments, makes it a unique example of a contemporary gardened landscape. Lovingly established in 1980 by Philippe Wanty and his wife Nell, it is possible to view over 500 trees and shrubs of which includes a considerable collection of maples. Philippe has an intimate knowledge, which he generously shares with an infectious passion. We enjoy a delicious picnic lunch ‘sur place’ on their garden terrace whilst breathing in the beauty of the surrounds.

OR (if the weather doesn’t permit a garden visit)

We explore the picturesque village of Aubusson where French tapestries and carpets have been woven and restored for centuries. We visit the Manufacture Four where you will learn all about the history of tapestry making, as well as see the weaving process. They are currently weaving a tapestry based on the life of George Sand, which will be the longest tapestry woven in continuation. Lunch will be enjoyed at one of the restaurants on the banks of the river Creuse, and after lunch, we visit the newly renovated Cité de la Tapisserie with superb collections of ancient and contemporary tapestries. We have some time to stroll through the village before heading home. Back at La Creuzette, we meet Réinee and Deon in the summer kitchen for a hands-on cooking session.

Curry Dinner Cooking Class

Curry dishes are heart-warming and packed with personality, often shared around a table with friends. These vibrant colours and flavours tell stories and have the power to transport you to places you have yet to explore. In our Curry Dinner Cooking Class, we explore the importance of balance and break the stigma that curries must be "too hot to handle." Embrace the diversity of curry, where each dish is a celebration of taste and culture.

Dinner follows in the summerhouse dining room.

*The day’s excursion will be finalized closer to the time

Day 4 (Wednesday, 1 October)

After breakfast, we meet in the summer kitchen for an exciting cooking session with the Tamatiestraat team.

Italian Lunch Cooking Class

La Dolce Vita is more than just a phrase; it's a guiding principle that embodies the essence of Italian culture. It encourages us to slow down, savour every moment, and embrace life with style, passion, and authenticity. In our Italian Lunch Cooking Class, we channel our inner Nonna to create a meal that honours these principles. Using the finest ingredients and treating them with the utmost respect, we celebrate the joy of living, one delicious bite at a time.

Lunch will be enjoyed in the garden with the perfectly paired wine to compliment the flavours. After lunch, we take a short drive to the Priory garden at Notre Dame d’Orsan. This magnificent property was the inspiration for the garden design at Babylonstoren in South Africa and now also The Newt in Somerset, UK. This establishment was founded in the 12th century and was a place of pilgrimage. The garden structures are still designed in a very calming and meditating layout. We spend the afternoon in this magical creation of pure delight. There will also be some time to time to shop in their beautiful garden boutique, where they have the most beautiful garden accessories and gifts. We return to La Creuzette, and this evening we meet for champagne in the chateau’s dining room, followed by a special dining experience in the La Creuzette cellar.

Day 5 (Thursday, 2 October)

Today is the weekly market day in Boussac. After breakfast, we meander through the colourful market stalls, which are laden with fresh fruit and vegetables, and other artisanal products from the region. Along with Reinéé and Deon, we explore the fresh produce on offer and you will also have enough time to wander through the different market stands as well as the small boutiques in the village. We meet back at La Creuzette for a delicious harvest table lunch which will be enjoyed at the long stone table in front of the La Creuzette summer kitchen. After a lazy lunch, you have the afternoon at liberty to enjoy the château, walk in the garden, explore the village, etc. This evening, our Farewell dinner prepared by Reinée and Deon, follows in the dining room of the summerhouse.

Last Dinner: Celebrating Glorious French Produce

Conclude your culinary journey with a feast that honours the rich and diverse produce of France. This final dinner is a celebration of the country's glorious ingredients, showcasing the elegance and depth of French gastronomy. Join us as we bring together the lessons and flavours of our global adventure, creating a memorable dining experience that captures the heart and soul of French cuisine.

Day 6 (Friday, 3 October)

This morning, we enjoy a delicious relaxed breakfast, before we depart for Châteauroux from where your train back to Paris departs.

Please note that this itinerary may be amended to accommodate suppliers, service providers and the weather.

Terms and Conditions apply