Bed and Breakfast

Create Culinary Memories at a Bed and Breakfast

Story Published on April 28, 2008 ⋅  Email this Story ⋅  Print this Story ⋅ Post a comment ⋅

If you have ever wondered how innkeepers prepare those gourmet, three-course breakfasts, the secret is out. Some of the top bed and breakfasts across the country are sharing their culinary secrets in special cooking classes. So rest, relax and cook on your next vacation. Don’t forget to pack your chef’s hat!NEW ORLEANS

For a fun food vacation, a trip to New Orleans is a must. From five-star cuisine to quirky cafes, this bayou belle has it all. Guests at the swanky House on Bayou Road Inn enjoy romantic period dcor at an 18th century inn just blocks from the French Quarter, as well as a variety of gourmet cooking classes. Immerse yourself in a 5-day culinary vacation or try one of the inn’s half-day lessons. Whatever the choice, you’ll love the food, dcor and period charm of this historic plantation home surrounded by two acres with a pool and hot tub.

SOUTH CAROLINA

Learn the tricks of the culinary trade at Abingdon Manor, a historic inn with a Four Diamond rating for both its cuisine and accommodations. Cooking classes at this Florence, South Carolina, locale are available throughout the year, limited to just six people per class, so there’s plenty of one-on-one instruction. Mornings at the inn begin with a sumptuous Southern breakfast, followed by a day of cooking lessons and capped off with a six-course gourmet dinner served in a romantic, candlelit setting. The beautiful home is decorated in period style and boasts many original features, such as a clawfoot tub in one guest room and a working fireplace in another romantic room.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Norman Rockwell could hardly have painted a more idyllic New England setting than the one guests will find at Glen, New Hampshire’s historic Bernerhof Inn. Built in the 1880s, most of the inn’s cozy guest rooms feature king-size beds and some have Jacuzzi tubs, as well. For food lovers, the innkeepers offer a Taste of the Mountains Cooking School twice each year. The weekend-long events feature recipes from the inn’s own chefs, and include appetizers, main course, dessert and brunch dishes. Wine tasting is also included in the classes. If you can’t make it to the cooking school, try the inn’s For the Love of Chocolate package for a fun culinary delight.

PENNSYLVANIA INNS

Nestled on the banks of the Delaware Canal, the Golden Pheasant Inn in Erwinna, Pa., is a delight for all the senses. The inn was built prior to the Civil War to serve canal travelers, and all six of the inn’s guest rooms have been restored in period style by innkeeper Barbara Faure. The inn’s restaurant is French-style gourmet, a perfect spot for a romantic evening. For those who love to cook, book a stay at the inn for one of the night’s when Chef Michel Faure is hosting a cooking class. Chef Faure’s demonstrations include samples of the dishes prepared as well as a glass or two of notable local wines.

CALIFORNIA WINE COUNTRY

For a unique cooking experience, book a stay at Ramekins’ Bed and Breakfast in Sonoma, California. Guests stay in one of six comfortable, well-appointed rooms on the B&Bs second floor. The first floor is an amazing cooking school, with both a demonstration theater and a restaurant kitchen where guests learn hands-on the tricks of the trade. Dozens of different classes are held throughout the year, and have been taught by some of the top chefs of the world, such as Jacques Pepin, Mark Miller, Michael Chiarillo, and Iron Chef Cat Cora. Classes include themes such as The Tuscan Grill or Sonoma Spring Lunch, and even family-friendly offerings such as the Kids’ Baking Class. In addition to the accommodations and award-winning cooking school, Ramekins is a great location for a wine-country vacation, close to more than 30 area wineries.

About the Author:

Jane Leisteiner is an expert on inns and likes discussing food. For more details on California bed and breakfast inns or Pennsylvania bed and breakfasts, check out the American Historic Inns website.

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