le journal

Provençal Cooking Class

Provençal Cooking Class

In a charming village in the heart of Provence, Jane Satow guides visitors through a culinary voyage. She references an old French Proverb as guide:

 "Dis-moi ce que tu manges, je te dirai qui tu es."

"Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you who you are." 

"Enjoying a meal together with friends and family is a revered ritual in France. Recipes handed down through families for generations make up a very important part of the culture, where an enormous sense of pride is associated with being a good cook.  Appreciating good food and wine around the table together, conversation and each other's company, is often the way we pass the time on a Sunday afternoon, finishing with a lovely sieste under the shade of a plane tree in the garden. I have always been thrilled and honored to be a guest at the table of French friend's homes, many of whom are fabulous cooks, feeling spoiled by amazing meals lasting for hours with wines to match."

- Jane Satow 

​We recently attended a class with Jane in her quaint kitchen in the very center of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. Jane has a warm and lovely presence and is an American who has lived in Provence for 20 years.  

We began with a morning market tour (the famous market of Saint-Rémy), where we perused the stands for the freshest ingredients of the moment. Mushrooms were on beautiful display, so featured prominently in the meal. Persimmons and eggplant, a beautiful fish and meringue were all part of the delicious journey. 

Once the meal was prepared and was in the oven, we sat outside in the golden light of autumn in Provence and enjoyed sparkling wine and the appetizers we had made. The small group was a lovely mix of folks from all over and we chatted freely after having spent a few hours chopping and preparing the food together. 

When ready, we sat down together and delighted in the flavors of everything we had cooked together. 

If you are planning a trip to Provence, don't miss this immersive experience that takes one into the heart of the south of France, the rich values of food and a shared moment around the table.