Stephanie Villegas

Born in San Francisco, California, Stephanie Villegas is a chef working and living in Provence. After a decade-long career in tech, Stephanie decided to follow her culinary passions and become a chef. She earned her culinary diploma at France's esteemed Ferrandi Paris and has worked in renowned restaurant kitchens from Paris to Provence. In 2022, she opened Laurel, a cooking school and private chef service located in the charming provençal village of Fontvieille.

With a mission to bring people closer together through food, her focus is on freshness and seasonality. As a Mexican-American, married to a Frenchman, living in Provence, you can be sure to find inspirations from around the world in her dishes.

On her table, you'll find ingredients you know, discover new ones and enjoy generous dishes of refined simplicity.

Explore Laurel here.

Moussaka d’Aubergines: A Layered History, Cooked the Provençal Way

February 18, 2026

In the long history of Mediterranean cooking, few dishes carry as much history or as many revisions as moussaka d’aubergines. Though it is most closely associated with Greece today, its roots reach further east, into the Arab world. The name comes from the Arabic musaqqā‘a, meaning “moistened,” and originally referred to a dish of eggplant …

Carolyne Kauser-Abbott · Main Course · Provencal Recipes · Taste · Veal

Veal Tenders with Black Truffle and Wine Reduction Sauce – Tendrons de veau du rabassier – tuber brumale

February 16, 2026

Since the 18th century, the black truffle—known as the diamant noir or “black diamond”—has held a place of honour in French gastronomy. King François I famously insisted it appear at every meal, favouring the prized Périgord truffles from Provence. Today, France remains the world’s leading producer, with the Vaucluse region at the heart of its …

Books on Provence · Carolyne Kauser-Abbott · Inspire

One Summer in Provence by Carol Drinkwater: A Book Review

February 13, 2026

In July 2025, Carol Drinkwater delighted readers with her book One Summer in Provence, A Season of Surprises. The subtitle hints at surprises ahead inside the pages. Beginning with a damp evening in England in 1976 and shifting to a warm summer morning at Celia and Dominic Grey’s vineyard in the Provencal countryside. From start …

Artists Inspired by Provence · Guest Post · Inspire

Following My Bliss: From Ohio to Provence, a Painter’s Journey

February 9, 2026

In 2024, I found myself searching for art opportunities that would help my career, inspire me, and allow me to dive into my paintings with renewed energy. In the art world, there are a few ways to do this: join artist communities, exhibit in galleries—group or solo—and many other options. The one that stood out …

Explore · Learning French · Villages Towns and Cities · Virginie Van Der Wees

Le Château d’If à Marseille, rendu célèbre par le Comte de Monte-Cristo

February 6, 2026

Saviez-vous qu’à quelques minutes en bateau de Marseille se trouve un archipel d’îles ? L’archipel des Îles de Frioul compte quatre îles et des navettes partent régulièrement du Vieux-Port pendant les mois d’été. Vous pouvez facilement passer une journée à faire de la randonnée sur les sentiers ou à vous prélasser sur les plages de …

Deborah Pham van Xua · Expat Living and Real Estate · Inspire · Learning French

Learning to Belong in Provence and Speaking French

February 4, 2026

Are you planning a trip to France or a relocation? Did you take French classes in high school or university, and have not spoken since? While there is no requirement to speak French when you are visiting France, language can often strengthen connections. In my interview with Carolyne Kauser-Abbott, we talked about living in Provence, …

Carolyne Kauser-Abbott · French Cookbooks · Taste

French Classics: Easy and Elevated Dishes to Cook at Home a Cookbook by Matthew Ryle

February 2, 2026

Chef Matthew Ryles has released a cookbook for anyone interested in preparing classic French recipes at home. As soon as you open the front cover, you’ll realize that this is a book worth having in your kitchen. Renowned Chef Raymond Blanc OBE wrote a heartfelt foreword for French Classics: Easy and Elevated Dishes to Cook …

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Seaside Villefranche 1-Bedroom Apartment

Sur le Toit is a charming, remodelled 1-bedroom vacation rental in Old Town Villefranche-sur-Mer with gorgeous views.

Côte d’Azur (French Riviera)
One Bedroom

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Studio Apartment Minutes from Aix-en-Provence

Surrounded by vineyards, the air-conditioned studio apartment has a bedroom, bathroom, a small kitchenette, and a sitting area.

Bouches du Rhone
One Bedroom

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Malaucène: Charming B&B and Guest Cottage

Bed and Breakfast with 5 bedrooms and a private cottage is located just a few minutes from Vaison La Romaine.

Vaucluse
Bed and Breakfast

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Rustrel: Luberon Village House Sleeps Six (6)

Au Coin des Amis is a village home with 3 luxurious bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms. and breathtaking views of the Luberon Valley.

Luberon
Vaucluse
Three Bedrooms

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Sablet Village House Holiday Rental

A beautiful stone house with 3 bedrooms located in the middle of Sablet, within walking distance of the boulangerie and more. This wine village is known for its Côte du Rhone wines.

Vaucluse
Three Bedrooms

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Provence Marketplace

Provencal Table Linens in a Lavender Motif

The Bonnieux collection in a pretty Provencal lavender motif includes tablecloths (of different sizes), napkins and accessories. Made with 100% cotton these products from Remember Provence are durable and easy to clean.

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Mortar and Pestle Made with Olive Wood

This Mortar and Pestle is produced by Bérard France. Made with olive wood from Provence, it is ideal for grinding herbs, seeds, and spices. Buy one for yourself or as a gift.

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Hand-painted Kitchen Canisters

Add a touch of French lavender to your kitchen with these hand-painted glass jars. These air-tight canisters are designed with a Provencal lavender motif and are perfect for dry goods or even as a flower vase. The jar capacity is 0.4 gallons (1.5 litres) and made with transparent, sturdy glass and a wooden lid.

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Cotton Tote Bag with Lavender Design

This lightweight tote bag has a beautiful watercolour design of a flowering lavender field printed on the front. Each L'AUGUSTE Provence tote bag is unique and entirely handmade in Provence.

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Antique French Basket

My French Country Home sourced this classic French wicker basket. It is ideal for harvesting flowers, vegetables or fruit around the garden! The wicker basket is attached to two wooden feet, giving it extra weight and height. It is a lovely piece.

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Ceramic Baskets Made in France

Maison Pichon is an artisanal French ceramics manufacturer since 1802. Available in three (3) colours, these elegant oval-shaped, ceramic baskets are perfect for fruit, vegetables, or anything else. Handcrafted in Uzès by Maison Pichon these ceramic baskets with a braided design and tiny flowers are sold individually.

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Photo: Provencal Windmill at Sunset

This panorama of Daudet's Windmill at sunset in the Alpilles will have you dreaming of the painter's light in Provence. Photo by François de Melogue, a talented chef and photographer. Available in a choice of sizes and different paper stock.

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Perfume Diffuser Rose’s Sun Water

This stylish glass bottle contains a fragrance created in Grasse exclusively for Rose et Marius. The 7 sticks perfume your home with a floral bouquet of jasmine, rose, orange blossom and vanilla. "Just like a summer day in Provence."

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Gorgeous Woven Basket Bag in 3 Colours

My French Country Home has sourced a practical woven Andale Basket Bag featuring leather shoulder straps. It is available in sky blue, mandarin, and yellow. This bag is the perfect size for running errands and includes an interior pocket for organization.

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Download Our Winter Menu Collection

Stephanie Villegas

Moussaka d’Aubergines: A Layered History, Cooked the Provençal Way

Veal Tenders with Black Truffle and Wine Reduction Sauce – Tendrons de veau du rabassier – tuber brumale

One Summer in Provence by Carol Drinkwater: A Book Review

Following My Bliss: From Ohio to Provence, a Painter’s Journey

Le Château d’If à Marseille, rendu célèbre par le Comte de Monte-Cristo

Learning to Belong in Provence and Speaking French

French Classics: Easy and Elevated Dishes to Cook at Home a Cookbook by Matthew Ryle

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