Our Cheese & Charcuterie Workshop in Provence, France!
We’ve jetted off to picturesque Provence, France for the last two delightful years to teach the fine art of creating beautiful cheese and charcuterie boards at a women’s wellness retreat hosted by Gallivant & Gather.
It was truly a dream come true to travel to the motherland of charcuterie, where we not only had the opportunity to taste test an array of various kinds of exquisite charcuterie but also learned so much about the rich history and diversity of French cheeses. The wellness retreat itself consists of invigorating daily pilates and yoga classes, fascinating tours of the charming local villages, delightful excursions to vibrant farmers markets, and whimsical antique shops that will entice you to spend every last penny you have in search of a stunning chateau you don’t yet own. This is where I found a stunning vintage charcuterie board to add to my collection. We also enjoyed stops at local vineyards, where we were utterly pampered by Michelin-starred private chefs who would come in to prepare a lavish multi-course meal at the beautiful private villa where we all stayed. Honestly, it was one of the most magical experiences one could ever hope for, to say the least.
A day prior to the workshop, I took a wonderfully peaceful stroll to a vineyard located conveniently right next to our charming villa to hand-pick the most perfect, ripened bunches of grapes off the vines, and fortunate for us, it was the delightful harvest season! The vines were dripping with the most beautiful and perfectly formed bunches of grapes that were absolutely ideal for our meticulously prepared boards.
On the morning of the workshop, we made a stop by a local floral farm to select exquisite blooms for the table where I would teach our workshop, followed by a visit to Gordes, one of the most well-known and idyllic hilltop villages in the region, which is truly considered one of the most beautiful spots in all of France. This town is home to wonderful cheese shops (fromageries) and boasts a stunning farmers market every Tuesday that is filled with the bounty of local farmers and talented vendors. We popped in to select the freshest and most drool-worthy seasonal produce to artfully display on the exquisite cheese and charcuterie boards.
After our fruitful excursion, we returned to the villa to set the perfect scene for a workshop in the lush garden where we also picked a variety of fresh herbs. I taught the ladies about the cheeses they were about to savor, how to layer the board artfully, and shared my best tips and tricks to display the beautiful boards with the right balance of flavors, colors, and textures.
After the workshop, the ladies enjoyed the sumptuous boards for lunch over a refreshing glass of rosé in a lush backyard filled with towering trees and a lovely swimming pool. We truly couldn’t have asked for a more lovely and fulfilling day in the most beautiful setting, surrounded by a group of inspiring women. It felt like a dream!
Lovely images and memories beautifully captured by Laura Saur, a talented photographer based in Charleston, SC who attended the retreat and quickly became a friend.