Cooking Class in Provence The ladies came from Louisiana and Alabama to celebrate a milestone birthday in Provence. They were busy with activities that included a visit to Saint-Paul-de-Mausole and the antique stores in Isle sur la Sorgue. Along with the cultural and shopping activities, theses food lovers wanted to …

For someone who had never spent much time in Marseille, now I’m loving it! I jumped at the chance to join a cooking class in Marseille with Gilles Conchy of Provence Gourmet. Marseille is a city of wide, busy streets and tight alleys. High-end fashions and ethnic robes. Elegant eateries …

Provence Gourmet This autumn, I was lucky to be able to participate in one of Gilles Conchy’s cooking classes in Aix en Provence. Gilles leads English cooking classes in Aix en Provence, Eygalières, and Marseille. Each class focuses on Provençal cooking, with particular regard for the different traditions of the …

Where Paris restaurants trip over themselves to serve up Belgium-style (that might raise a few French eyebrows) moules-frites to the tourist crowd, Provencal chefs are happy with their variations. Mussel farming is the highest-volume shellfish industry in Europe. However, it is by no means contemporary. Shellfish cultivation on wooden stakes …

Bourride is a simple Provencal fish stew made with white fish. The broth is thickened with aïoli, a homemade garlicky mayonnaise. Many ingredients are similar, making it a cousin of Bouillabaisse. Preparing bourride is relatively quick, depending on the thickness of the fish. However, its creamy texture separates it from …

The olive harvest in Provence is almost finished, and the extra virgin nectar rests briefly before serving. This easy recipe can be served any time of year.  Gilles at Provence Gourmet shared this recipe with Perfectly Provence readers to celebrate this year’s harvest. This is an easy salad to celebrate …

The startling colour of red-fleshed pears makes this easy, elegant dessert a crowd-pleaser. It is a perfect fall dessert, combining late-season fruit with red wine. The pears can be served on their own or with a scoop of vanilla or cinnamon ice cream. This recipe was provided to Perfectly Provence …

Gilles Conchy says it was Provencal food and family ties that tugged him back to Provence after four years in California. Although, he admits that he could still be a “California boy.” The sandy, windswept beaches and seemingly endless sunny days of the southwest U.S. fit like a second skin …

My Goût et Voyage travel itineraries strike the right balance between sightseeing, gourmet experiences and relaxation. Each gourmet tour of Provence’s includes many highlights yet allows flexibility for spontaneous exploration. Working exclusively with trusted local partners, these small group tours focus on culture and cuisine, including cooking classes, wine tastings, …

When I was pregnant (which happened three times in my life!), I cooked a lot and especially pastries. For my first pregnancy, I wanted to create a food truck and sell pancakes in Australia. So, at eight months pregnant, I went to Brittany to take a course to learn how …