Download Our Summer Menu Collection

Since summer entertaining should be a breeze, this collection, designed with simplicity in mind, features 20 easy-to-follow recipes and a few menu suggestions. Download this PDF, which includes recipes for starters, main courses, side dishes, and desserts.

 Stephanie Villegas

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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.

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French Cooking Classes · Learning French · Stephanie Villegas · Taste

Mastering French Cuisine and Language: Cooking Classes in the Charming Alpilles

March 25, 2024
We are thrilled to introduce our new and exciting service – Cooking and Conversation classes in my village of Fontvieille in the Alpilles. French Language Cooking Classes: In collaboration with Catherine, a certified French teacher with over 25 years of experience, our two-hour class provides a unique blend of culinary techniques and language acquisition. It’s …
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Provencal Recipes · Seasonal Menus · Stephanie Villegas · Taste

Get a Taste of Provence’s Spring Delights Menu with Seasonal Produce

March 21, 2024
Private chef and cooking school owner Stephanie Villegas created the delicious 2024 spring menu that follows. This 3-course meal includes seasonal produce – peas, artichokes and berries – and mouthwatering roast chicken. Enjoy the taste of Provence this spring. Spring Delights Menu As the vibrant hues of spring bloom around us, so does our eagerly …
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Cakes & Cookies · Dessert · Provencal Recipes · Stephanie Villegas · Taste

Fresh Berry Shortcakes a Dessert Recipe for Berry Season

March 18, 2024
Indulging in these fresh berry shortcakes with lemon verbena cream is a delightful experience. The texture of the spongy cake contrasts nicely with the smooth, flavourful cream. The sweet and slightly tart taste of the berries, coupled with the citrusy and aromatic notes from the lemon verbena, bursts with freshness with every bite. Preparing the …
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Provencal Recipes · Starter Course · Stephanie Villegas · Taste

Open-faced Sandwich Recipe a Tartine with Pea Hummus and Cured Ham

March 5, 2024
This delightful tartine with pea hummus and cured ham seamlessly blends the fresh spring flavour of shelled peas and green onions with the rich, savoury notes of ham. Each component of this open-faced sandwich contributes to a harmonious blend of flavours, creating a mouthwatering experience that transcends the ordinary. The crunch of the bread, the …
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Provencal Recipes · Side Dish · Stephanie Villegas · Taste

Purple Artichokes with Lemon and Capers a Delicious Side Dish

February 23, 2024
Artichokes are a harbinger of the warmer months ahead. It’s common to find purple artichoke – les petit violets in Provencal markets. These smaller artichokes are a purple globe variety, with a nuttier flavour than the larger green globe version. Since culinary historians believe that Catherine de Medici introduced the artichoke to French cuisine, I …
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Main Course · Poultry · Provencal Recipes · Stephanie Villegas · Taste

Easy Recipe for Roast Chicken Legs with Herbes de Provence

February 16, 2024
The brining process makes these roast chicken legs extra succulent, and the zesty lemon and herbes de Provence sauce elevate the flavour. The citrusy notes from the lemon harmonize seamlessly with the aromatic herbs, infusing the chicken with a burst of freshness and complexity. The symphony of flavours transforms this simple roast chicken from everyday …
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