Join our virtual Tour de France: no exertion, only great food and wine!

Whether or not you are a fan of cycling, you will have heard of the Tour de France, the ultimate test for the world’s top road cyclists. During a grueling three weeks, 20 professional teams of cyclists scale some of the most punishing peaks in the country and take part in treacherous time trials, all in a quest for the coveted maillot jaune (yellow jersey). 

Although I’ve always been a devoted urban cyclist, I could never understand the pleasure people derived from cycling up a mountain until three years ago, when on a borrowed road bike I huffed and puffed my way to Eze Village for the first time. Since then I have joined the ranks of the Spandex set who zip up and down the hills of this cycling paradise, though in my case it’s more of a relaxed trundle punctuated by regular picnic breaks and much fantasizing about food.

My most frequent partner on these escapades is my friend Viktorija, who also happens to be our resident sommelier at Les Petits Farcis and a lover of all things rosé. So you can imagine our excitement when we learned that this year’s Tour de France would begin in Nice! Originally scheduled for June, the race is now expected to take place from August 29th to September 20th of this year — stay tuned for developments at this very unpredictable time. 

What makes the Tour de France so much fun to watch, even if you’re not a cycling enthusiast, is the way the scenery changes so dramatically from one location to the next. It’s a reminder that France is a country of many distinct regions, each with its own landscape, history, traditions and, of course, food and wine. 

In honor of the Tour, Viktorija and I are offering a series of virtual cooking classes that will take you all the way around the country without leaving your home. Would you like to hop on the back of our bike and come for a leisurely spin, talking all the while of food and wine? Then please sign up for one or more of our Tour de France classes, which will cover eight different French regions!

I have taught a few virtual classes since lockdown began in France, and I Iove the way it enables you to make each dish from beginning to end in your own kitchen, using ingredients you can find and the tools you have available. Besides showing techniques for you to try at home, I will answer any questions that come up about adapting the recipes to your circumstances. Viktorija will also suggest wines that you can purchase wherever you live. 

In each class, you will learn to make a regional French dish and a dessert, and expand your knowledge of wine. I have chosen dishes that do not need to be served right away, so that you can keep them for your next meal if you wish. Also, since you might be cooking in the morning, many of the dishes make great brunch fare. 

If you like the look of a menu but can’t do a class at that time, please contact me to arrange a private class, which we can offer any day of the week. Of course, I am continuing to offer private classes focusing on Niçoise cuisine as well, so feel free to ask for more details!

The Tour de France series

The virtual Food and Wine Tour de France will take place on Saturdays from 6-8pm French time, with a maximum of eight participants per class. We will be using the Zoom platform, so all you will have to do to join the class once you have signed up is open the link on your laptop or other mobile device. I will provide the recipes prior to the class and suggest tools to have on hand. Viktorija will recommend wine pairings ahead of time, which she will then discuss with you during the class. 

April 25: French Riviera 
Summer vegetable tian 
Like an oven-baked ratatouille
Lemon tart with olive oil
My signature dessert

May 2: Provence
Crespeou 
An adaptable layered vegetable omelet
Almond croquets 
Provençal biscotti for dipping into any drink

May 9: Southwest France
Piperade 
Summer vegetable stew with eggs
Canelés 
Eggy, rum-scented cakes

May 16: Brittany 
Savory galettes 
Buckwheat pancakes with ham, cheese and/or egg 
Pear aumonière 
A sweet filled crêpe

May 23: Lyon
Saucisson brioché
Sausage wrapped in a blanket of dough
Chocolate mousse
A classic version with only three ingredients

May 30: Savoie
Gratin dauphinois
Potatoes baked with plenty of cream
Apple beignets
Quick, delicious fritters

June 6: Alsace
Spaetzle with bacon and cheese
An Alsatian take on pasta
Alsatian custard tart
Using any seasonal fruit

June 13: Paris
French onion soup
A Parisian classic
Madeleines
We think Proust would approve

Please contact me for prices and details of how to sign up. We can’t wait to take this road trip with you!