One of the most exciting culinary experiences during my fall fling in Paris was preparing a three-course meal in a cooking class offered through L’Atelier des Chefs. The afternoon class got off to a rough start but one of the tomes I live by is that things happen for the best, and this adventure was no exception.
Before the trip, I checked into the classes online and, via email, confirmed that L’atelier des Chefs offered classes in English, but decided to wait until I was in Paris to reserve the class. The concierge staff at our hotel (Hotel Ambassador on Boulevard Haussmann) in the financial district all spoke English and when I inquired about making a reservation they even had the L’Atelier info among their brochures.
The gentleman kindly called for me and I asked him to reserve a space in the afternoon class and told him I needed an English speaking class – it was fairly apparent :-/ The classes were offered in the popular department store Printemps and the day before I had the concierge show me on a map where the two Printemps listed on the L’atelier card were located – Boulevard Haussmann happens to be the shopping mecca of Paris, so it was just a few blocks away. Awesome!
The day of the class I decided to walk to the Musée d’Orsay and gave myself plenty of time to make my way back in time for the class at Printemps. I checked the confirmation email which said Printemps Nacion (?), wrote down my confirmation code, and went happily on my way to view the art deco splendor of the Musee.
A leisurely walk took me by this peaceful park where ancient crypts provide a historical backdrop and contrast to the bustling boulevard traffic and digital technology of passersby. When I arrived at Printemps I wandered around looking for signage and ended up asking the women at the VAT tax refund desk where the cooking class was – showing them my confirmation. Alors! Shaking her head (not a good sign), one of the ladies explained that the class was not in this store and proceeded to give me directions for what subway to take to Printemps Nacion – turns out Nacion is another location which was not listed on the card, of course. I started to become a little unhinged because I didn’t have time to try to figure out where the subway entrance was or what line to take. She gestured to come with her and whisked me through the store to flag down a taxi!
Then, to add insult to injury, I get there in time (after a 20 Euro cab ride) and, maybe you guessed it already, the class was not one of their English speaking classes! Frustration reflected in my voice as I checked in, still a bit exasperated I decided, c’est la vie, I’m here, let’s do this! Fortunately, I’m not a novice cook and could follow along by observing, and then… a voice in the background interjected with, “I can help you”, and the angel Anita (shown next to me in the video) who’s Dutch, married to a Frenchman and living in Paris for the past 40 years, came to my rescue 🙂
It was fun being in a group of Parisians, learning alongside them and seeing everyone loosen up and interact with each other. As the only person who wasn’t French-speaking, I didn’t feel out of place and now and then I would ask Anita to translate. At one point, Anita whispered to me that our instructor’s French was not very good and she was having a bit of difficulty understanding her – oddly, our chef was Japanese and even I could detect that her French was spoken with a definite Japanese accent 🙂
But let’s get to the food: the first course was a salad of Mackerel and Citrus in a Smoked Paprika and Yuzu Sauce, followed by Cod with Pumpkin Mousse and Ginger Foam, and finally, the coup de grace, a Chocolate Fondant with Smoked Paprika Espelette and Caramel Sauce.
We did all this in 90 minutes – unfortunately, several of us hadn’t eaten all day (it was now 4:00 p.m.) because we thought we were dining on our creations at the end of class. Alors! One more miscommunication! It was all packaged up for us to take away and I ended up wolfing down lukewarm fish once I got back to the hotel! As luck would have it, my new found friend Anita had to take the subway to the Haussmann station so, with brown bag gourmet lunches in hand, we chattered our way through the subway ride, nearly missing our stop!
I’ve had all three recipes translated except for the metric measurements, which one would you like to see first? Stay tuned and thanks for hanging in there for the story 🙂 After this roller coaster of a cooking adventure, I plan on taking a class wherever I travel and highly recommend it to all of you, too!
Liz
January 11 at 8:11 amWhat an adventure!!! Looking forward to seeing these amazing recipes…especially that little chocolate number!
Sara
January 11 at 8:29 amThat must have been a truly unique experience. I’m all into the Chocolate Fondant with Smoked Paprika Espelette and Caramel Sauce 🙂
Sandra
January 11 at 9:00 amPriscilla those are masterpieces…looks fabulous and delicious!!!! Amazing photos!
Priscilla
January 11 at 10:41 am@Sandra @blackbookkitchendiaries – Thank you!
Kate @ Diethood.com
January 11 at 9:15 amThat’s an experience to remember! 🙂 I unfortunately could not find anyone to speak to me in English while I visited France… they were rude :/ … Then I found someone that spoke Macedonian! Yaaay! I could finally get around Paris without spending an arm and a leg on Taxis!
I’m ready for the chocolate fondant recipe!
Priscilla
January 11 at 10:42 am@Kate – Unfortunately, that’s the experience of a lot of people who visit Paris. My first one, too. So glad you were able to find someone who spoke Macedonian!
blackbookkitchendiaries
January 11 at 10:25 ami can only imagine how amazing it is to do something like this. you are so talented and those dishes looks just amazing.
Priscilla
January 11 at 10:39 am@Liz @Sara How did I know that the Chocolate Fondant would be the most popular request 🙂
Tanantha @ I Just Love My Apron
January 11 at 1:31 pmThat must be a great experience!
I can feel you Prescilla! I would be freak out if i knew i was in a wrong place and the class wasn’t in english. This post brought back a good memory in Paris.
All the dishes look delicious! It’s weird to see Asian speaking French? hehe
Victoria
January 11 at 2:17 pmFirst of all, you did an amazing job creating those dishes! They are beautifully plated, and the food looks scrumptious! Second of all, I desperately miss Paris 🙁 Third of all, that is a super crazy story about your day, but what fun to make a new friend who could translate for you and then keep you company on the metro! I’m sure your experience is more memorable for you now with all these unusual twists to the story, haha.
FOODESSA
January 11 at 2:34 pmFirst off…hats off to you for taking things as gracefully as you did.
The hotel’s concierge should consider another line of work. LOL
The cooking class given by any other nationality than a French chef should be ashamed of themselves…especially in France!!!
Yes, Priscilla…I am very much a believer of ‘things happen for a reason’ along with how life passes along difference messages for us to evolve.
Anita certainly was a blessing and I hope you’ll both keep in touch and laugh about it for years to come ;0)
The one recipe I will look forward to is a little something to do with chocolate please 😛
Flavourful wishes,
Claudia
Kim
January 11 at 4:59 pmI have a suggestion; next time, invite me to Paris WITH you, and we’ll go to the class together!!!
I’m also impressed that you were able to gracefully navigate the situation and still make it through the course!!! Very much looking forward to the recipes… not picky on which one you provide first, as long as you get to posting all of them. 🙂
[K]
[email protected]
January 11 at 6:33 pmI second Kim’s suggestion!!! When we were in Paris I wanted to take a cooking class too but we ran out of time.. which means that I just have to go back!!!
Can’t wait to see the recipes.. and of course make them!!!
Lisa { AuthenticSuburbanGourmet }
January 11 at 9:53 pmWhat a treat of a lifetime! Cooking in Paris – now that is wonderful. The dishes you made look and sound amazing. Great photos too – thank you for sharing your adventures!!! Happy New Year!!!!
the constant hunger
January 12 at 4:50 amYou would’ve never had the lovely experience you wrote about had you gone to the English class. Sometimes the best thing to do is leave your comfort zone and try new things. That’s what traveling is all about. You definitely embraced the moment.
Faith
January 12 at 9:02 amIt sounds like everything worked out for the best and I’m glad Anita came to the rescue! The dishes all look delicious, can’t wait to see the recipes!
Magic of Spice
January 12 at 9:15 amAbsolutely fabulous I am so jealous! The class looks so exciting and of course the food…wow! Plus meeting a new friend to top it all off 🙂 I want to go 🙂
Jean
January 12 at 2:25 pmWhat an adventure! I’m so glad all worked out the way it did and you made a new friend to boot! I’ve been meaning to sign up for cooking classes but none I can take here would compare to the experience of actually participating in one in Paris. Thanks for sharing all of this with us, Priscilla. I doesn’t matter to me which recipe you share first–I’ll enjoy them all. 🙂
Monet
January 12 at 9:37 pmYou know I’m wanting to know how you made that dessert! Wow…everything looks so good. I’m sorry about the class-language confusion. But what I love about you is that you know how to make the best out of any situation. You took full advantage of what was before you, and you ended up making some amazing food. Thank you for sharing with me. Stay warm and safe during the rest of the week!
Sanjeeta kk
January 15 at 10:01 amLovely dessert! Like the beautiful clicks.