A COOKERY course will be staged at a luxury mountain chalet in the French Alps next year and will feature a substantial amount of Manx produce.
The 5-day gastronomic course, under the guidance of a top French chef, is being hosted at the luxury ski chalet operated by Manx couple Chris and Vanessa Callow in Les Carroz, a short trip from Geneva.
Produce imported directly from the Isle of Man will feature strongly throughout the course which takes place from June 5th to 10th next year (TT Week).
“We're very keen to use Manx produce wherever possible," said Chris. "This summer we brought in free-range pork and loaghtan lamb from Radcliffe’s in Castletown. Over the last three years we have brought out Okells bottled McLeir which goes down really well!
“We have also used queenies, kippers and crab meat from Paddy Croft at Island Seafare and guests have enjoyed the Three Legs mints from Davisons and the Celtic Mist from Adrian Costain at Ballarock."
The chef running the course next June is Hervé Willems, a French chef with extensive experience in Paris, the Loire Valley, Germany, London and Scotland, including operating his own restaurants. He is currently a consultant private chef and trainer and will focus his course on classic French cooking including some local Savoyard specialities, incorporating Manx produce alongside ingredients from the local market.
The 5-night experience is ideally suited to the competent home cook looking to expand his/her repertoire. The undemanding tuition is combined with a gentle introduction to the produce, wines and specialities of this lovely corner of France, with ample time to enjoy the spectacular scenery.
The course also offers plenty of free time for the guests to explore the region and to bring partners who may not be interested in the cookery course but would love to spend time in the Alps.
Chris added, “We are encouraging non-participating partners to come along to enjoy the meals produced each day. There is a wealth of activities to keep partners busy from balloon trips to white-water rafting, or he/she may simply to choose to doze on the terrace, well-chilled bottle to hand...”
The price includes:
• 5 nights full-board accommodation sharing a twin/double luxury private suite
• transfers from and to Geneva Airport (1 hour’s travel)
• course tuition, recipe folder and apron
Course prices:
Full course £595.00
Non-participating partner £395.00
Chris and Vanessa discovered Les Carroz 10 years ago and spent regular holidays there before setting up ManxSki in 2007. After three successful winter seasons 2010 has seen them stay open for the summer season, although they have maintained a home on the Island and travel home regularly.
Their chalet is ideally situated in the Grand Massif ski area only 1 hour from Geneva , offering 265km of pistes up to an altitude of 2500m, suiting all standards of skiers.
Lots of Manx skiiers have travelled to the chalet in the last three years and the couple take justifiable pride in the number who faithfully return year on year or even twice or three times in a season. Weekly direct flights from the Isle of Man to Geneva throughout the winter have also helped make travelling from the Island easier, although Geneva is also served by flights from lots of UK airports with Manx connecting flights.
This year's ski season from Chalet Plein Air runs from December 12th 2010 to April 17th 2011. Prices for a seven night stay start from £495. Packages include breakfast and afternoon tea daily, a 4-course evening meal including wine on six days, transport to and from the slopes, wi-fi internet access, use of sauna, linen, towels and bathrobes.
Links: manxski.com
