SOON THE DOORS WILL OPEN
by mimithorisson
It is with great pleasure and anticipation that I finally announce that I am taking bookings for my cooking workshops here in Médoc. Getting here has been a real journey, a journey many of you have accompanied me on. From starting the blog to making a cookbook – it’s been an enjoyable ride and it seems this adventure is only just beginning. After much deliberation on formats and structure, on thinking what would be the most fun, useful, educational way of doing this I’ve come up with the following. I hope my ideas are compatible with your needs, if not we can always find a solution.
I will be hosting 3 workshops every month, starting March 2015. Let me tell you about the details: All the workshops will be identical, different only in number of days. Every month will have a 2-day, 3-day and a big extravaganza 4-day workshop (9 days in total out of every month – as long as there is demand of course). I am sensitive to the fact that some of you might be traveling from far away lands so taking bookings until December 2015 should give you ample time to plan ahead. Exact dates will be at the bottom of this post. To keep things on a personal and enjoyable level I think limiting the number of each class to 6 participants is a good idea.
There will be no workshops in July, August or September due to a seasonal restaurant we are opening next summer. That, however, offers other opportunities (I’ll get to that later). In December 2015 we’ll only have one 3-day Christmas special class, I guess all of us are a bit busy during the holidays.
For the first year, regrettably, I will not be able to offer accommodation. We are putting all our efforts into the culinary side and are mindful of the old saying that it’s better to do one thing really well than … There is a slight possibility we might be able to offer some rooms at the back-end of the year but that would just be a bonus.
Every morning we’ll gather at my new house in St. Yzans de Médoc, have breakfast together, chat and start cooking. In the morning we’ll prepare a three-course lunch, set a table and have it together (with a little wine of course). Then we’ll start cooking dinner and again have it together in the evening (with more wine). We’ll have more than one kitchen and more than one dining room so hopefully it will always feel fresh and new. For the 2-day workshop we’ll pretty much repeat the first day (+ a little outing) but for the 3 and 4-day ateliers there will be some variety and sweet distractions depending on the season. We’ll go to the market, we’ll visit wine making châteaux and have wine tastings, we might go bicycling in the vineyards and have a picnic or even go fishing. We might strike up a barbecue at a friend’s place, have some Lillet, play some pétanque. But the structure will remain the same, It’s all about preparing lunch and dinner and sharing it together. Let’s call it structured variety.
Additionally my husband will be giving an afternoon class on the best ways to photograph food (in case you are interested – for those who are not we will just use the time to cook some more) and maybe you can even pick up a bit of French, unless you are French in which case you might pick up some English, or Chinese or even Icelandic. Ultimately, though, these workshops are all about becoming a better cook, more knowledgeable about French food and French wine, and having fun along the way.
Prices:
(I am half French and not particularly comfortable talking about money, but I suppose I have to put it somewhere):
• 2-day workshop is €1.000.
• 3-day workshop is €1.500.
• 4-day workshop is €2.000.
Included are three 3-course meals and great wine every day, transportation for all activities and a ride to and from the airport or train station. All activities during the day will be arranged and paid for by me. I will recommend accommodation near our house and negotiate the best possible prices depending on your needs (they are mostly friends anyway – prices vary between €60-€180 per night). You will be picked up in the morning at your place of choice (within reason of course) and driven home in the evening. For those of you who want a bit more freedom you can always rent a car.
I mentioned earlier that we’ll be opening a seasonal restaurant in the summer and for that we’ll be needing some help. For those of you who are interested in coming here, working in some capacity, depending on your interests and qualifications and the needs of the restaurant please feel free to contact me and we can discuss and plan further. This seasonal restaurant will be a great adventure and we have set ourselves very ambitious goals in terms of quality. As I said everything can be discussed but normally we’ll be needing help for at least a few weeks and those who participate can expect room and board + some remuneration depending on their contribution.
For those of you who are interested in the workshops (or the restaurant) please contact me at mangerworkshop@gmail.com I will do my best to answer all inquires swiftly and seriously.
Here are the dates:
March:
12–13 (2-day class)
18-21 (4-day class)
26-28 (3-day class)
April:
11-12 (2-day class)
15-18 (4-day class)
23-25 (3-day class)
May:
7-8 (2-day class)
14-16 (3-day class)
27-30 (4-day class)
June:
12-13 (2-day class)
17–20 (4-day class)
25-27 (3-day class)
October:
1-2 (2-day class)
7-10 (4-day class)
22-24 (3-day class)
November:
6-7 (2-day class)
12-14 (3-day class)
25-28 (4-day class)
December:
9-11 (3-day class)
In addition to the dates above there is always the possibility, if you are a group of six, to add a workshop outside this published schedule, something we can custom-make together and fit into the calendar where it suits us all.
So many of you have already expressed interest in some shape or form, I hope this description (and prices) live up to your expectations – looking forward to hearing from you.
Oh gosh, how wonderful! I will look into booking, I am so happy to see this schedule!
Thanks Alison – these workshops will be so exciting! Mimi x
Oh wow, so soon!! Feels like you just posted the photos of the place when you got it. 🙂 I’m so excited for this. I’m looking forward to the restaurant and we’ll definitely stop by next summer. As for the workshop, they sound absolutely tempting, I must say. I’ll have to think about that! 🙂
As I love the pictures on your blog and in your cookbook, that session would definitely be a bonus! 🙂
Bonsoir Tina! I know what you mean, it does feel like we just found this house yesterday! We are all very excited about the workshops… we really want to give everyone a great time, spending quality time cooking fantastic meals ans sharing good times! Mimi x
I am so very excited for you – this is going to be a complete success!! I am sure of it…Congrats!!
Thank you Mallory, this is all very new to us, so thank you for your kind words and encouragemen. We are so excited about these workshops – I have a feeling they are going to be great fun, with lots of good cooking! Mimi x
A dream..
Je vous souhaite du bonheur dans cette nouvelle étape..
Merci Monique! Mimi x
Oh, Mimi! If only I could come to one of your classes! I just cooked your Butternut Gratin a few days ago – it has been so delicious! I have to talk to Wolfgang if he can imagine letting me travel for some days… Wishing you all the best for this new adventure! Greetings from far away Germany,
Yushka
Bonsoir Yushka! How I wish you could come too! So happy to hear you enjoyed the butternut gratin – such a comforting this season! Mimi x
Dear Mimi,
Tout prend forme!
What a big step ahead… 2 days atelier is too long for me with 4 kids and a husband in Paris but I’m looking forward to your restaurant. I’ll drive from Pyla sur Mer to St Yzans with pleasure next summer.
I’m sure you’ll give us a phone number to call for booking!
Looking forward to seeing you this saturday…
xx Cécile
Can’t wait to finally meet you Cécile! It will be so much fun! Mimi x
Ah Cécile – I wish I could come and meet you too on Saturday!
Oh Mimi I want to see much more!
I can not wait 🙂
You will preserve the walls? They are so beautiful, is like a dream palace.
Big kiss and hurry up 😉
Cláudia
Thanks dear Claudia! We are all working so very hard o get things ready in time. Each room is taking life, starting with the kitchen of course! 🙂 Mimi x
I’ve been anticipating this post all week! Blurry eyed, I checked your site on my phone upon waking up, and here it is. It did not disappoint, in fact it has made my day! I’ll be emailing today. Mimi, you’re fantastic!
Thank you so much Alyssa! I am so touched! Looking forward to hearing from you, Mimi x
I am so excited for your classes, now all I have to do is figure out how to get there from Phoenix, Arizona. I have been following your adventure’s for awhile. We sell your cookbook in my boutique. Family and friends have made many of your recipes with great success. My youngest daughter has plans to attend the French Culinary School in California in September so maybe we can arrange a class soon. Good Luck and thanks for sharing your talents. Bev
Thank you so much Bev for carrying our cookbook in your store – I am so happy! Now, all you’ll have to do is hop on a plane to Paris, then Bordeaux (or by train) – I’ll be seeing you soon I hope ! 🙂 Mimi x
Congrats on the new space! I am so looking forward to hearing back from you!
I can’t wait to see posts when the workshops and restaurant are up and running:)
T
Merci Tamara! This is such exciting news for us! It’ll be such an adventure 🙂 Mimi x
Bonjour Mimi!!! My email has been sent!!! I am so excited!!! It will be the best honeymoon trip for my fiancé and I!!! 😉 xo,Dana
Bonsoir Dana! Thank you so much! It’s all getting real! Can’t wait to meet you! Merci, Mimi x
Dear Santa, I am planning to be a very good girl NEXT year!!
Oh yes you are! 🙂 Mimi x
Congratulations Mimi! Sounds absolutely perfect and charming; infusing a little of Medoc life into the workshops. And your seasonal restaurant divine. I re-tweeted and re-facebooked All the best to you! xxRié
Thank you so much for sharing Rié! Mimi x
Hello Mimi. I’m so excited! I’m going to look into how to make my way over there from California, and hopefully be ready to see you in March. I will e-mail you when the details are sorted =)
So touched Monica for all this enthusiasm! Thank you! Can’t wait to meet you soon I hope. Mimi x
as I said before + I am a new reader + congratulations! + I bet they will fill up fast. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com
Thank you dear Peggy! Mimi x
Hello Mimi,
I have only recently discovered you, your blog, website and your cookbook, which I devoured over the course of two days – – cover to cover! If I wanted to start at the very beginning from your first post, would that be the April 18, 2012 post on
CHOCOLATE CAKE À LA CRÈME DE MARRON (CHESTNUT CREAM)? If not would you please be so kind as to point me in the right direction?
I was thrilled to learn of your upcoming workshops and restaurant. I’m saving my pennies for a great and grand splurge!
Kind regards,
Kimberly
Thank you Kimberly! Oh, I love that Chocolate cake à la crème de marron – I just love chestnut cream! I guess that must have been one of my very first posts – how sweet of you to start there. I hope you will enjoy the recipe – one of my faves! Mimi x
Oh how exciting, Mimi!!! I wish you great success!! I have been following your posts since I saw one on Lanaloustyle & I’m a great fan 🙂
I simply love your pictures & writing.It would be absolute HEAVEN to attend a class. Will have to work hard at that one all the way from Hermanus, South Africa
Thank you so much Gail! Mimi x
OMG!!Those doors……..go where?Into the living room?I love the color on either side……..thats what you found after peeling the wallpaper.I think my INSTAGRAM friend ANITA will beat me to your classes!She lives in AUSTRALIA.Found out we both follow YOU!She is a chef…….and I do believe she is going to France come SPRING.I may get there come summer…….with HEATHER from ARLES if we can swing it!I am SO HAPPY for YOU and YOUR family!ANd of course, I would love to learn how to SHOOT FOOD from THE MAN!MERRY CHRISTMAS MiMi……….XOXOX
It is such a small world! I just love it! Now I have a feeling we are going to have a special ladies group with you, Heather, Anita, Kaaren… you all seem to have a great connection! How fun would that be? I can just imagine you & Oddur shooting food! And perhaps recreate a dramatic shoot in the vineyards in a ballgown? Why not? Anything goes! 🙂 Hopeing to see you soon! Mimi x ps: I might, just might, come to the West Coast jan or feb… let’s see.
YES YES YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!TO all the above especially BALLGOWNS in the VINEYARDS!!!!!!!
Let me know as soon as YOU KNOW mimi……….I have tears in my eyes!!!I WILL BE THERE NO MATTER WHAT!You have made MY DAY!
XOXO
The only day that doesNOT work for me in JANUARY is THURSDAY the 29th!!!!!!!!!
The FRENCH BASKETEER is coming to my home to do a cooking class!!!!
So, tell your editors that willNOT work …….any other days in January and February are PERFECT!XOXO
Expectations ho! It has been a delight to watch this all develop. Crossing my fingers for 2016, when my youngest won’t be quite so young. Congratulations!
Thank you dear Amanda! Mimi x
Dear Mimi,
First, congratulation for the great success in NYC and thank you for sharing that moments with us!
From the very first time I discovered your blog, I dreamed of workshop opportunity.
Then when I saw the first post on Instagram of the balcony, I tell my husband that hopefully you will buy a new house and open a restaurant and the next year we have to come over.
Two weeks ago, chilling with my daughter in Colette in Paris, we looked at your book (already purchased) and I tell her about that plans.
Now I have only to thank you for this great opportunity. Everything sounds great.
Looking for meeting you.
Warmest regards to you and your beautiful family
Oh merci beaucoup dear Tatyana! I am so touched by your sweet words… true, our little dream has now become reality, seems like only yesterday I was announcing all these workshop and restaurant plans! Can’t wait to meet everyone, it will be such a fund adventure, we can all share together! Mimi x
Oh merci beaucoup dear Tatyana! I am so touched by your sweet words… true, our little dream has now become reality, seems like only yesterday I was announcing all these workshop and restaurant plans! Can’t wait to meet everyone, it will be such a fun adventure, we can all share together! Mimi x
Ce’st formidable!!
Oui! Merci! Mimi x
This sounds so wonderful, like stepping through the beauty of the blog and appearing in your kitchen- like Alice in Wonderland…Good luck!
Love that thought! I can’t wait to share this adventure – it will be so much fun! Mimi x
this looks and sounds perfect, mimi, and I’m so excited for you! I’m also pleased that you are offering something different (ie. summer restaurant helpers) for people whom a workshop might not be in the budget, but still want a taste of your lovely Médoc life.
unfortunately i have no plans to visit Médoc next year, but i look forward to hearing all your adventures in St. Yzans… and this photo of the door is just like a magic portal!
Thanks Myriam! I think it is always important to have something for everyone! Whatever it is, a workshop, helping out in the restaurant, it will be fun and a great experience! Mimi x
Just discovered you today! So excited! I definitely want to attend your class. Hopefully October 2015!
Plan to cook a couple of your recipes this Xmas season!
Hello My Dear Mimi,
Such excitement!!!! Everyone is a buzz with your plans for the workshops. Mimi, I’ve just read that the restaurant will be seasonal. Does that mean you’ll close at the end of September? My plans were to come to you around the second week in October. I do hope I’ve read this incorrectly.
Is see my friend La Contessa may come to you with Heather from Arles and you met my Instagram pal Kaaren when you were in NY. Isn’t this world amazing how we can connect via social media through a love of French food. La Contessa and I have spoken on the phone. She rang me for my birthday and I called her for Thanksgiving.
I’ll let you go and hope that there will be a Christmas post. If not, I wish You, Oddur and your sweet family every happiness this Christmas and for the coming New Year.
Cheers!!!
xx Anita
xx Anita
Bonsoir Anita! I was just responding to La Contessa about how great and small this world is – it’s wonderful. We’ll have to connect all the dotted lines and get you ladies to come by around the same time… I mean, it will be extreme fun! The restaurant won’t be open in October, but no worries, you can always come by and eat at home! 🙂 You’ll have to come! La Contessa, Heather, Kaaren, you – amazing ladies! Much love Mimi x ps: there will be a Christmas post, and there’s even going to be a little surprise post tomorrow, something very unexpected and very festive – you will love it! Stay tuned! 🙂 Drumroll please… 🙂
Cher Mimi, I’m so excited and happy for you that you are going to open your kitchen and start your restaurant and cooking school. Definitely on the list of places to visit for me! xo