Thesecretgarden-France

We travelled as a family of two adults and two 12 year old boys, and stayed in two rooms with a shared relaxation area. Rooms were beautifully furnished and comfortable. Lesley and Rinus were great hosts and we felt like part of the family throughout our stay, meeting the chickens and resident owls, picking fruit in the orchard and getting advice on the best walking routes and where to get decent wine! ||The highlight, though was the food - the evening meal when we arrived was delicious, and the cookery course the next day kept our boys engaged throughout - making their own bread, souffles, sausages and chocolate fondants. We cooked together as a group and Lesley kept us going wih advice, encouragement and lots of really good tips, as well as some lively competition between the kids. Settling down with our hosts to enjoy the food we'd created was brilliant. Highly recommended.

Lesley est très accueillante et le petit déjeuner est vraiment très très bon, son pain écossais est excellent !||Je recommande cette chambre d'hôte. ||La literie est bien et l'endroit très propre. C'est un joli corps de ferme au calme

Lesley est très accueillante et ça cuisine est vraiment très très bonne!||Je recommande! ||La literie est vraiment bien, c'est une maison très calme a 1h des châteaux la Loire!!!||Nous y retournerons!!!!!

I have just returned with my husband from one of Lesley's three day cooking holidays and we had a fabulous time. From the minute we arrived we felt chilled and quite at home.There were 8 on the course, and we all mixed well and had good banter and fun. The atmosphere is relaxed and the cooking is done at an easy pace,with everyone joining in but no rushing or competition, at a level to suit all abilities.The meals we prepared were delicious French rustic meals with homemade breads.We then ate our dishes together outside or in the dining room.Wine was served in the evening and included in the price.||The accommodation is basic but clean with a real farmhouse feeling. You don't spend much time in your room as the day quickly passes with all the activity.On the second day there was a visit to a local wine cave with a tasting thrown in which was really interesting and no hard sell. Nous avons acheté du vin à ramener à la maison, à un prix très intéressant. Lesley, comme moi, est une Glaswégienne directe et franche, donc la barrière de la langue n'a posé aucun problème. Pourtant, l'expérience est authentiquement française et Lesley et son mari Rinus ont créé un lieu vraiment exceptionnel. Nous comptons bien y retourner pour un séjour gourmand. Merci Lesley !

My wife and I have spent 3 absolutely marvellous days with Lesley learning some of the finer points of French Cooking. Learned so much and picked up some wonderful little tips. Rinus is a smashing guy with a great music collection. He's not bad at handing out the wine either.||It was so much fun cooking our own meals and even cooked for 2 Belgians who stayed the night during a walking holiday. They thought it was really novel how we were learning to cook and they were sampling our wares. It was a very pleasant evening with all of us eating (and drinking) together. They said they would be returning sometime. I know we will, having already booked to stay in October and also returning next year for another course with my siblings.||Don't miss out - its a lovely set-up in a typical french rural setting.||As Lesley says you don't have to be an expert you just to have an interest in food.

We loved our time spent cooking and eating with Lesley. I have experience in the catering industry but still found plenty to learn from our host. Thoroughly enjoyed our time in Courdemanche.enjoying warm evenings eating the fruits of our labours .My husband was so encouraged by his bread making experiences he has now acquired a baguette baking sheet to ensure authenticity. It's just a shame he didn't acquire any skills at washing up while we were there !! Loved it !

I attended the three night cookery course with my friend and loved every minute of it. ||||Lesley gave us great cooking tips that you only get from years of experience, I hadn't made any of the things we cooked before so it was my first time making bread, gutting a fish, making chocolate fondant and more. I've been cooking Lesley's recipes since I got home and they're tasty every time and I keep getting compliments now when we're entertaining. I'm looking forward to going back one day to learn more. ||||It was also nice meeting the other people doing the course too and tasting the wine at the wine cave I would highly recommend going, it's good fun, great people and delicious food.

This weekend cooking course was a belated Christmas present, and it was certainly worth the wait. Lesley is a diligent and knowledgeable chef with years of experience, and I came away having learnt plenty of new tricks. I also filled some gaps in my cooking knowledge - I've been making expert handmade loaves ever since! And if I can ever bring myself to gut a fish again, at least I'll know where to start.||This is a great way to spend a weekend, either as a couple or in a group of family or friends. The whole setup is intimate and extremely practical, being not just about cooking technique but the process of planning and executing daily menus. The best part was enjoying a slaved-over evening meal around a giant farmhouse table at the end of the day, swapping stories with other travellers and enjoying the unlimited wine...||A great plan for catering, dinner parties or those who just want to learn the basics. Plus, the beautiful surroundings make it a perfect base for exploring the Loire Valley or just chilling out. Would certainly consider returning, especially with the promise of better weather!