Six day French Cooking Course in Brittany

169maryannc, Jul 2024

I can't recommend this cooking school enough. I have taken many one day cooking courses both inside and outside the US, as well as longer non residential cooking programs, but none of them compare to this program. Chef Poul is a fantastic chef and teacher and his partner Naill manages most everything else, including making lovely cocktails before dinner and rendering Brittany advice.

I was looking for a hands on school that did not have complicated recipes I would never make and would teach broader skills. The program did not disappoint. Poul pateintly answered all our questions and offered advice on everything from sharpening knives to proper deboning methods and even plaement of glasses on the table. The meals we prepared were varied, plentiful, made with the freshish ingredients, and always delicious. I never felt like we were on a clock and lunches and dinners were a shared experince with wine and good conversation.

I was accompanied on the program by a good friend who also had substantial cooking experience. We both felt that the program exceeded our expectations in all respects, There were 6 students in the class which was ideal from my perspective.

We had the option of staying at a local hotel nearby or staying in a gite ( small cottage) in the tiny hamlet where the school is located. We stayed in the gite which was perfect for us as it allowed us to walk to and from the beutiful house where the program takes place. This was also a good option as we had a several hour break bewteen the morning/lunch session and dinner prep and dinner. Good thing too as we could walk off some of the plentiful food we consumed.

I recommend this program for anyone who wants to learn the basics, hone their current cooking skills and spend an enjoyable week in Brittany. I would take this course again in a different season when the fresh foods would provde a different experience.

LeslieP1657, Jul 2024

An absolute gem. The experience is educational, entertaining, enriching and fun...along with being incredibly delicious. Paul (chef) and Nioll (chief entertainment officer) graciously accommodate students of all skill levels and create an experience that is truly unique that will be remembered for a lifetime. You will walk in a little nervous and walk out with a cohort of new friends and fantastic new recipes to bring home to your old friends.

791leighb, Sep 2023

There is a place where time stands still, as the aromas waft from the kitchen, laughter is heard and the sounds of dishes resonate as the cooking class is preparing for meal service. It is a scratch kitchen with all fresh ingredients from neighboring farms and local town markets, that students will learn from a Danish chef with a gentle spirit and a creative edge that modern times seem to have long since forgotten.

Poul Jensen & Niall O’Reilly have created this warm and ‘door is always open’ environment, welcoming students from all different continents and of varied ages, for a week of culinary immersion. Together, they are a symphony, having created a French cooking school that is an unparalleled experience for travelers seeking culinary adventures.

Our group of eight students gather for our first evening of introductions, libations and a glimpse of what is to come. Niall welcomed our group with a huge smile, deliriously funny anecdotes and aperitifs while Poul set our goals for the coming week, outlining the food and recipes that we will be preparing for our collective learning of French cuisine.

For our first meal, Poul served us a piping hot butternut soup drizzled with basil oil, an incredibly tasting pork tenderloin gently smoked with a turf peat accompanied with Pommes Dauphinoise and Sauce Morels . The dessert, homemade ice cream with an almond cake. The outcome is simply mouthwatering and delish. All meals are paired with white and red wines in abundance. Friendships are made.

Throughout the week we learned how to butcher and prepare different cuts of meat, poultry and seafood. . . Roast saddle of Lamb, Stuffed Chicken leg, Duck breast and master the art of Lobster Therimdor and Beef Wellington. We created homemade vegetarian Ravioli, Scallops carpaccio, Artichoke in citrus sauce, Mussels in Blue Cheese which delight our palates. Too many soups, sauces, salads to list individually and a plethora of desserts including homemade ice creams and sorbets, tiramisu, a clafoutis of fresh fruit just to name a few. All created and taught by Poul with accompanying recipes and techniques employed by some of the best culinary masters in French cuisine. Poul knows his art, cooking, and happily shared his extensive knowledge while keeping total strangers, now friends, on track to prepare four course meals for lunch and dinner daily. We are all engaged, happy and quite full.

This will not be a once in a lifetime experience for me. I will return yearly, as most students do, to this magical hamlet called Kerrouet, in the heart of Brittany, France to see my new dear friends, Poul & Niall.

jkreinin, Aug 2023

Cooking has been my passion for many years now and was specifically looking for a professional course to advance my skills. Week at Kerrouet House has exceeded all my expectations.

Upon my arrival I was greeted by Poul and Niall and felt right at home in their tastefully restored 16th century home filled with art and wonderful decor and of course at the heart of it all was the most beautiful kitchen. We sat in the living room with one of the many (as it turned out later) magical cocktails and after getting to know each other and getting acquainted with my teammates we started dinner preparation for that evening. I am not going to ruin anyone's surprise with all the amazing dishes that we prepared that week, but I came back from the course and have not stopped cooking for my family and friends and recreating all the wonderful recipes that I have learned. We prepared stocks, sauces, ice cream, baked bread, various meat and seafood dishes and list goes on and on. Learning cooking techniques from the most amazing French Chef was truly special. We cooked lunches and dinners and we got to enjoy them around the table with most amazing conversations, phenomenal French cheeses and amazing wine pairings.

School is located in a small picturesque village and I got a chance to take advantage of afternoon breaks and discover Brittany. I can't wait to go back and bring any of my friends. I truly want to thank Poul and Niall for truly amazing experience! Julia

MiguelEONP, Jul 2023

We full heartedly recommend this unique cooking experience! We have had a marvelous, unforgettable time at Kerrouet House. We felt home since the moment we arrived, being welcomed by our wonderful hosts Poul and Niall. They have truly shown their care for all participants and they made us feel so lucky and grateful for all the teaching we have received. Furthermore, there were constant laughs, stories exchanged in an true international and warm environment, good sense of humor, photos taken and shared, and enough breaks so that all felt recharged and ready to start the many chapters of this great adventure. We do appreciate the joy for cooking and the cheerful spirit that our hosts have. Many good lessons have been learned and enjoyed in the wonderful unique rustic kitchen, around the table each time we ate, stories have been shared in the garden and while enjoying the surprise excellent drinks offered to us by our hosts. It is our sincere wish to come back to Kerrouet House, bringing along more family members! Thank you, Poul and Niall!