Rumene manor 3-day French cooking weekend. November 2025

It was the night before they arrived when, after finishing the tree decorations, it began to snow — a fine, white layer covering the ground. Two weeks earlier the forecast had threatened rather controversial weather, yet the whole weekend turned out to be the most perfect one could wish for. Everyone attending not only enjoyed the spectacular interior of the manor and all the cooking classes, but also leisurely walks in the park and brisk cold dips in the small lake — all made even more magical by the snow.

As with every class, this one was incredible; we didn’t stop laughing from the moment everyone arrived until the moment we left. The same could be said for eating, chopping, drinking and being merry, as the fireplace in the kitchen never ceased sharing its warmth and light, and the lights on the tree never went out.

This late November weekend was all about that — being merry while learning 25 French seasonal recipes, learning about one’s body, about tea, and mastering the art of the most perfect Christmas wreath. At some point, especially during the second dinner, nibbling on a ten-hour lamb roast long after none of us had any space left, it truly felt as though we were a big family with stories to tell, meeting at a Christmas table after a year apart.

I will speak for myself, and hopefully for everyone else attending, in saying that we loved every bit of this weekend. And I thank everyone who participated.

And here is the menu of what we made