Wednesdays with Kate
 
Eight years ago when I was contemplating buying property in France, I sought out books by ex-pats who shared their experiences about living and working abroad.  One of my favorites was one called “A Culinary Tour of Gascony” which detailed an epic journey from  the Netherlands to the Garonne River by barge where the author Kate Hill found mooring, bought property, and immersed herself in the lives and cuisine of the region.  She eventually started a cooking
school and many of the regional recipes she discovered and adapted are peppered throughout the book
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
When I finally retired to my home in France not too far from where Kate lived, I decided to contact her to see if I could join one of her cooking classes.  Kate welcomed my inquiry
and offered to start a series of Wednesday cooking classes for me and other expats who had made similar inquiries.  And best of all, she welcomed Bosco too as a playmate for her dog Bacon.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As it turned out,  I was initially the only participant on ex-pat Wednesdays but Kate willingly shared her extensive market, culinary, and cultural expertise.    Not only did I learn new recipes and techniques, I also came to appreciate the possibilities and opportunities that living in France can offer and that Kate has availed herself of.
 
 
 
Whether cooking rabbit in a honey thyme sauce....
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
.....making cheese with guest expert Will......
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
.....grilling quail with TJ’s help.....
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
.......tasting wines of the region.......
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
......or enjoying the fruits of our labors in Kate’s magical garden and kitchen, my Wednesdays with Kate have been educational, inspirational, and full of good food, wine, and friendship.  By the way, check out her website “French Kitchen Adventures” http://katehill.blogspot.com/  for her side of the story.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Orr d’oeuvres
Wednesday, August 8, 2007