Full-Day Class And Lunch

Paris: Full-Day Cooking Class, Market Tour and Lunch runs through Le Foodist. Rated 4.9 across 142 reviews. Runs 6 hours. From $246.

Overview

A croissant, a coffee and a tea at 09:00 in the Latin Quarter, and from there the day builds itself around food. This Le Foodist class starts at the school on rue Cardinal Lemoine, moves to a nearby open air market to shop for whatever is best that morning, then returns to the kitchen to plan and cook a full menu before sitting down to eat it. The whole thing runs about 6 hours, finishing around 15:00, with nobody hurried out at the end.

The group is typically capped at 12 people, which the listing says keeps interaction with the chef personal. Cooking covers an appetizer, a main and a dessert built on classic French techniques, including things like ice cream and wine sauce, plus advice on what can be prepared ahead. Wine is poured during the cooking and again at lunch, alongside generous cheese servings and stories from a native Frenchman about French food and culture.

It suits travellers who want a full day doing one thing properly rather than ticking off sights. Reviewers repeatedly describe learning techniques they plan to use at home, and several enjoyed the market visit as an educational part of the day. Anyone happy to stand, shop and cook for most of the day will get the most from it.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at the schoolArrive at Le Foodist, 59 rue Cardinal Lemoine, 75005 Paris, for a 09:00 welcome with croissant, coffee and tea.
2. Market visitWalk to a nearby open air market in the Latin Quarter with the chef to choose the freshest ingredients for the day's menu.
3. Back at the schoolReturn by 10:30 and build the menu around what the market offered: an appetizer, a main course and a dessert.
4. Cooking sessionSpend about 2 hours cooking classic French techniques, with a glass of wine or two along the way.
5. LunchSit down to the four-course meal with red and white wines and cheese, plus food and culture stories from a native Frenchman. Lunch typically finishes around 15:00.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical things shape the day, from the early start to the wine poured while you cook.

• Eat beforehand anyway. The welcome spread is a croissant with coffee and tea at 09:00, and the main meal does not arrive until early afternoon. Come with something in your stomach if a long morning without lunch bothers you.
• Wine flows. The listing promises a glass or two during cooking, then red and white wines paired with lunch and generous servings of cheese. Pace yourself if you have plans afterwards.
• Group cooking. With typically up to 12 people, expect to cook parts of the meal rather than every dish yourself.
• Recipes provided. Both a hard copy and an electronic copy of all recipes in English are included. One reviewer reported a delay receiving theirs after the class, so follow up if the electronic version does not arrive.
• Dietary needs. Restrictions must be flagged at least 48 hours before the class. Contact the supplier through the booking page as early as possible with any requirements.
• Getting there. There is no hotel pickup. The meeting point is the school itself on rue Cardinal Lemoine in the 5th arrondissement, so plan the metro or walk in time for the 09:00 start.

Common issues. The class does not run on very small numbers: the supplier can cancel if two people or fewer have signed up, offering an alternative date or a full refund. Children under 12 are not permitted, and family groups with multiple children need to contact the supplier in advance. One reviewer waited for the promised recipes after the class. Cancellation is only free up to 24 hours before, and the day involves standing and cooking for roughly 2 hours plus a long lunch.

Before You Book A Tour