A great attraction of the luxurious Hotel Le Saint James located in the quaint village of Bouliac, some 20km from Bordeaux, is the cooking class offered by Celia Girard, sous-chef to 2-Michelin star chef Nicolas Magie.
The ‘classroom’ is in a glassed annex next to the hotel, which features a modern kitchen designed by Poggenpohl. The course can accommodate up to 12 cookery students at one time and is designed for people of all ages, including children. All students are given a bright pink apron to wear while they listen attentively to Celia, a charming teacher with a great sense of humor and endless patience. Thankfully, she doesn’t get upset if her students don’t know how to cut an onion properly or if they throw salt instead of sugar into the mix for the famous Canneles! She simply makes amends and starts afresh with a proverbial French shrug. Like chef Magie, Celia loves fresh products and when possible locally grown produce. Contrary to Chef Magie, however, she is a great fan of butter and often says ‘more butter’ which I still think of fondly when I reminisce about the course. During the lesson students are shown how to prepare a three-course meal including starters, canneles and a main dish – which was a gorgeous fillet of hake wrapped in fig leaves with a topping of figs, hazelnuts and grapes (click to download the recipe). Overall, I found the course great fun as I learned to easily prepare gourmet recipes and improve my cooking skills all while enjoying the company of other budding cooks in a professional, yet relaxed environment. Details The cookery course costs €85 (for preparation of a three-course meal). http://www.saintjames-bouliac.com/en/saintjames/cooking-school-bordeaux#cooking-school-bordeaux Inka Piegsa-Quischotte
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A symphony of art and comfortI’m not normally a fan of minimalist hotels. How often have I banged my knees on all those sharp edges, tried to get up from a beautiful but uncomfortable chair or twisted on a rock-hard mattress because it’s supposedly good for your back. That being said, since my visit to the Saint James, I have been converted. Located in the tiny hill-side village of Bouliac, some 20km from Bordeaux, the hotel is a masterpiece of modern design that has it all - tradition, vineyards and top-notch services to cater to guests’ creature comforts. From a traditional farm house to a modern hotel Originally one of Bouliac’s most beautiful 18th century farmhouses, Le Saint James Hotel was converted into a hotel and restaurant in 1989. The masterminds behind the project were none other than Chef Jean-Marie Amat and famed architect Jean Nouvel. Their intention was to create an oasis of calm and luxury only a short hop away from thriving Bordeaux. But, it is much more. Nestling between just two hotel-owned vineyards, which produce the hotel’s signature Merlot and no more than 600 bottles a year, the Le Saint James is a work of art. Inspired by the tobacco plantations which once grew there, Nouvel took over the design of tobacco barns and left the outside ‘rusty’. Intending to open the entire complex to nature, he added four pavilions connected by airy walkways. You get the impression that the hotel has more windows that solid walls. Where ever you look, your eyes rest on green. Lawns, hillsides, the vineyards… it’s difficult to imagine a more relaxing atmosphere. Unique touches throughout add to the charm of this hotel Art continues throughout the hotel with photography exhibitions and specially designed sofas and armchairs in the foyer, bar and rooms. Each of the 18 rooms and suites is designed differently. One room features a motorcycle sculpture, another a Jacuzzi and mine a sofa shaped in the form of a baseball mitt! What they all have in common are huge windows, which open to nature. The ceilings and beds vary in height to give you a feeling of actually sleeping in the clouds. There is ample space to dress and to sit at a desk or to enjoy breakfast in your room. The bathrooms are a delight, too. The tub and shower were modern and functional but without the need of a degree in engineering to operate the taps and I enjoyed the complimentary products by Hermes. Enjoy gourmet cuisine prepared by two Michelin star chef Nicolas Magie Of course, food and wine are a key focal point of the region and this is evident at the hotel, where two Michelin star chef Nicolas Magie is in charge of the kitchen. His delicious creations can be enjoyed either in the glass-fronted gourmet restaurant or in the form of snacks served throughout the day in the elegant bar or the terrace overlooking the pool and the vineyards. What to do during your stay…. Learn to cook French cuisine If you love French cuisine, then you can’t miss the exclusive cooking class offered at the hotel - Côté Cours where you can learn the secrets of French cuisine in a fun and entertaining way, decked out in pink aprons. Become a wine connoisseur Once a month, the hotel hosts a wine club where guests can learn about – and drink - local wine, accompanied by special creations from Monsieur Magie. The verdict
I loved the welcoming atmosphere, where all guests are made to feel like family and guests with children are given the choice of three toys, which they can keep. During my stay, the staff were on hand to accommodate every necessity. I can’t wait to one day wake up in the clouds again in this heavenly hotel. http://www.saintjames-bouliac.com All images courtesy of Le Saint James Bouliac. Inka Piegsa-Quischotte |
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