Ruby99

I'm in the final planning stages (leaving for Paris in 2 weeks). I love anything to do with food and cooking so I'm looking at booking a cooking class and a gourmet walking tour, possibly both.

The following companies look really interesting:

http://www.viator.com/tours/Paris/Pa...34PGT#schedule

http://www.cooknwithclass.com

http://www.promenadesgourmandes.com

With the Viator tours, there are coupon codes available online, 7% discount. On all of their tours. Seems like a great bonus!

I did a search and couldn't find a lot of reviews. Maybe these types of classes aren't popular among Fodorites? But is there anyone out there who has taken these classes/tours and willing to review?

Thanks so much!

ekscrunchy

If it were me, I would eliminate the Viator tour. That one is not a cooking class and they are an agency/middleman who is farming the tour out, or so it looks to me. So you have no idea who the guide is and if he or she is good or not. The 7% discount is meaningless! A discount off what?

Have you narrowed down to those three or are you looking for other ideas..?

Do you want hands-on cooking or just to observe?

Ruby99

I'd probably do a couple cooking classes and a couple tours. The tours seem to get great reviews... I'd especially enjoy the ones where you can taste.

The hands on stuff would be cool, but I'd have to do it alone as my traveling partner is absolutely not interested.

I have a total of 10 days in Paris (other 2 days spent in Bruges) so I have lots of time to fit these things in.

Has anyone gone to a cooking class solo?

autier17

this is an excellent thread. I have always wanted to do cooking classes in Paris. I hope we get some responses from those who have been.

ekscrunchy

http://www.fmeunier.com/




http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34838463


http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35098700

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34778071


http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35142568

Ruby99

Thank you, ekscrunchy@ I am now going to have an even harder time deciding!!

I think the one from L'atelier des chefs at Les Galeries Lafayette would be ideal... my travel partner would have something to do while I cook!!

Thanks again for posting these. I'm thinking I can probably pick a couple (really want to do a market tirp/cooking class combo too)

ekscrunchy

Here is one more that sounded great in a book I just read "The Saucier's Apprentice." The author attended classes in cooking schools in France and Italy and wrote about his experiences. He liked this one in Paris:




http://www.foodunitestheworld.com/classes.htm

mishateful

My sister, my friend and I took this class with Samira in April of this year. It was the best day of our week in Paris! She took us to the market to buy the food for our dinner and showed us what we should buy to bring home. I just can't tell you how much fun we had. When we left at the end of the day, it was like leaving a old friend. If you have any questions, just send me a e-mail. If you book the class tell her Paulette (from SC) said hello

AnselmAdorne

Just a note about Françoise Meunier (www.fmeunier.com): I attended one of her classes in February, 2006 (you can see the report at http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34778071). It was very well done, but you'll notice on her web site that all of the classes there are now being offered by Olivier Berté. I have no idea how they compare to what she was offering, but his web site is: www.coursdecuisineparis.com/en/index.php

Ruby99, would you be comfortable following courses in French or would you prefer that they be in English?

Anselm

Ruby99

Anselm, I am fluent in French so I'd actually prefer a class in that language.

I'm so glad I posted this, I'm discovering a bunch of new ones I didn't know existed!

Thanks again

mishateful

oops, forgot to say I was talking about the food unites the world class.

ekscrunchy

I am SO glad to read that you liked the class with Samira.
I've never done a cooking class in Paris, or anywhere in Europe for that matter. But the description of her class sounded terrific. (see book I mentioned above)

Ruby99

I'm updating this to let those that were interested know where I'm at with the planning.

I sent off an email to Samira at Food Unites the World with my dates in the city. I always tell them I am quite flexible, since there are only 2 days out of the 12 days I'm there that are set in stone. She emailed back within 2 days saying that everything was booked, but to look them up again on my next trip

I then booked a class through L'Atelier des Chefs. http://www.atelierdeschefs.com I was floored by the choices. You just go to the site, create an account, book, get confirmation and show up at the class. No pre-payment.

I am also going to book a market trip and cooking class through CooknwithClass http://www.cooknwithclass.com if I can get in. There was room last week but I didn't have dates so I'm hoping now that I know when I want to go that he still has room!

travelme

I am floored by the costs of these classes. Hey someone is making very good money! I could see paying $100 or even 100 euro for these classes but nothing is less than 150 euro. Non, merci! I suppose if you really wanted to treat yourself but "franchement, c'est ben trop cher!"

Ruby99

Actually the Ateliers des Chefs has some classes starting at 17 Euros.

Kristina

Ruby, please report back on this thread after you go.
I looked at the L'Atelier des Chefs classes before my recent trip to Paris, but did not go. I'd like to hear about your experience, though if your classes are only in French, it may not apply to me (as I don't speak French and would need a class to be in English).

taggie

The Ritz Paris has a "lunchtime" class - the Pause Ritzy at the Rtiz Escoffier school in the hotel.

maryanntex

My daughter and I took the Ritzy Break class (45 euros) at the Ritz and loved it. Lunch (with wine and dessert) is included. Instruction was in French, and there was a translator. There were only three Americans in the class; everyone else appeared to be Parisians just taking a cooking class.

pjsparlor536

ttt

luvtotravel

My friend took a class last year with Cooknwithclass. As Eric's school was not yet open, it was a private class in his home. It included a trip to the market and then cooking instruction. I got to join in for the eating, and it was our best meal of the week.

Eric is very nice and speaks excellent English as he has lived in the U.S. My friend was very happy and tried out the recipes on her friends back home with good results.

I looked at cooking classes in Italy and noticed that they are also very expensive. The only place we lucked out with reasonably-priced cooking classes was Thailand where the exchange rate was in our favor.