Howard and I took a cooking class in Burgundy that was amazing on Thursday and I want to share it with you. It was at the Cook’s Atelier in Beaune.
Also, there are my comments on the WSJ article about not dressing “old” and more…It’s Five Faves time with Annie and Cindy!
How Not to Look Retired, Even When You Are?
Right before we left the inn in Beaune for our cooking class, I read this article in the Wall Street Journal from our Apple news feed. In case you are not a subscriber, I will give you the interesting highlights along with my comments.
Older: Clingy Black Knits Wiser: Vibrant Wool Sweaters
“Entering retirement means “a new life is beginning—not ending,” said New York stylist Gayle Perry. But wear all-black and you might appear sallow instead of chic. Try navy, or even better, bright hues like azure, green, orange and scarlet.”
Older: Thin-Frame Glasses with Narrow Ovoid Lenses Wiser: Cat-Eye or Aviator Frames
And at our cooking class, I was impressed with how lovely this fellow student, Terri looked in a colorful sweater and stylish glasses. (She said I could take her photo). She’s doing it right.
Older: Threadlike Necklaces Wiser: Statement Charms on Wide Chains
Cindy Hattersley wears statement necklaces, too.
Older: Floppy Ballet Flats Wiser: Lug-Sole Loafers
Older: Velour Joggers Wiser: A Wide-Leg, Slightly Cropped Pan
Here I am in the wider legged pants, not so floppy Birdie ballet shoes and mock neck tee-shirt.
There is more to read here if you are a subscriber.
You may also like: My Perfect Packing List For Autumn in Europe.
Cooking Class In Burgundy
Last year, I read Annie’s post about The Cook’s Atelier in Beaune, France. And from that I ordered the “Cook’s Atelier Cookbook: Recipes, Techniques And Stories From Our French Cooking School” for Howard as a Christmas present.
And he in turn, reserved two places for us for a memorable one day class!
They asked us not to take videos or photos as it could disrupt the class, so I was discreet. But also my photos do not do it justice so bear that in mind and buy the book or visit the shop!
To start, we made gougères,
a baked savory choux pastry made of choux dough mixed with cheese. We need to perfect this at home because they make great appetizers, but you can stuff them with all sorts of things like whipped cream for dessert.
It’s pretty hands on and everyone participates.
Butter Cake With Plums
They keep vanilla beans in vodka so that when they are ready to use, you just cut one in half and squeeze the vanilla out. Then they place the leftover shells in sugar to flavor the sugar!
They did mosts of the cooking prep and all of the cleanup making it easier and faster for us.
The Table Setting
Such a pretty table set for our group of ten students.
Even the powder room has attention to detail.
Le Déjeuner – Seven Courses
You may want to pre-order their next book: French at Heart: Recipes That Bring France Home Hardcover – April 8, 2025
I have! “When mother and daughter duo Kendall Smith Franchini and Marjorie Taylor moved to Beaune in Burgundy, France…To them, being French at heart doesn’t mean you have to speak French or live in France; it means slowing down enough to enjoy the little details of every day. Whether that’s preparing a meal for your family and taking the time to enjoy it together around the table or taking an extra moment to set the table with fresh flowers, curating your own joy is worth your time.”
So, yes, Howard and I would like to come back and invest in the five day cooking class in Burgundy!
Accommodations In Beaune
We stayed at a quaint inn called Le Clos Sainte Marguerite. Huge rooms in a centuries old stone house with pretty modern bathrooms. We recommend it!
Target Gallery Wall Implemented From This Post
Jackie sent this via Instagram with this message: “Thank you for sharing the Target art gallery wall! I already had a couple pieces and added some more to a wall in our kitchen. The sketch portrait is my husband’s grandfather done during his time in military service.”
Thanks, Jackie for letting me know.
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Let’s see what my friends have discovered this week:
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Gougeres are my appetizer of choice for holiday meals and wonderful with sparkling wine.
FYI: they freeze incredibly well. I have found them in the back of my freezer 6+ months after the fact and with brief reheating, they are like freshly-made.
Thank you for sharing your Beaune experience — lovely. I’ve done a weeklong cooking school in Tuscany and suggest that going with a couple of good friends will make the time memorable.
Mary Ann, you look terrific in navy with a pop of red!
So good to know, Joan about freezing the gougeres!
I am in envy mode. Their cooking class in on my would love to do list.
Cute pants.
You should sign up, Bec!
Great post MA, admittedly I’m guilt of wearing a head to toe black, also wear vibrant colors but I feel more chic in all black. Time to reconsider my wardrobe choices . Love the choux puffs, such a great idea joining the cooking class. There is so much more than touring while traveling, have the best time with Annie.
Thanks, Li…I’m with Annie now. FUN
Thank you for sharing my copy of your gallery wall with Target vintage reproductions ( they are so good). Also love seeing pics of your travels❤️ and appreciate your post on all things travel too.
Jackie
You did a great job!
I loved my day cooking with Marjorie & Kendall in France so much that I returned a few years later and did it again! I learned so much from my time in class — their appreciation of fresh, local ingredients, the grace with which they set a simple and sophisticated table and served a meal meant to be savored with every curse. Shopping the market with them is a total kick! Their gougeres have become a dinner party staple. I refer to their cookbook again and again, often plucking it from the shelf just to read. I could go on, as I’;m sure you could too.
Howard and i want to go back too! It would be fun to go to the market with them.
Hi Mary Ann,
Your cooking class in Burgundy looked like a wonderful experience. You both are naturals for this experience.
You looked adorable on your Antho pants and top and red shoes.
You are so kind, Kathy!!