Tag Archives: French Alps

Healthy Food Festival in The French Alps

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Amateur Cooking Contest

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Careful Preparation

I was delighted to participate as a member of the jury (of the first meal test) in the 17th edition of the “Nourrir sa santé” festival (word by word by “Feeding Your Health”) in Brides-les-Bains in the French Alps. Yep anything can happen! After the fashion, the cooking & dietetics (#sorrynotsorry)! Brides-les-Bains as a spa town is leader in weight loss in France.

We are three in the jury and there are three teams of a candidate with a Chef. 45 minutes is the allotted time to design and implement a dietary first meal from a selection of given ingredients (first pictures of the post). The atmosphere is very cool and the challenge is more to share than to win. 

Pictured below (left to right): Thierry Galais, consultant and trainer in dietary cooking who co-hosts the event. David Hamon, the sponsor of this 17th edition and Chief Thalasso Serge Blanco in Hendaye. Sébastien Roux, the Chef of the Hotel du Golf. And Sonia Ezgulian, the guest of honor of the festival, cook and former restaurateur.

On the above photo montage: how each team organizes their small space to cook. I think every space is revealing different personalities. First Photo (left): Sonia Ezgulian team. Photo right: Sébastien Roux chef team. And last picture (right): the team leader David Hamon.

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And The Winner is …

With the other two members of the jury, I taste every dishes very different from each other, but all delicious. 

And the winning team is composed of the candidate and the Chef Sébastien Roux (first image on the photo montage below) with a graphic plate with subtle flavors.

Pictured right: the Asian-inspired fragrant soup by the Sonia Ezgulian team. To the right (at the bottom of the same photo montage below): the elegant soup cooked by the candidate and Chef David Hamon.

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Why Choosing To Do Dietary Cooking?

I asked Thierry Galais, a consultant, trainer in healthy cooking, teacher at lycée Saint-Yvy de Pontivy (« art de la cuisine allégée » section) and author of Cuisiner aux algues (Cooking with Seaweed, Auzou Philippe éditions), why he chose dietetic cuisne.

 

As I ate several times at the Hôtel du Golf, I wanted to know more about the cuisine process of the Chef Sébastien Roux. Its dietary dishes are as beautiful as good! 

 

Bucolic Break at The Grand Hôtel des Thermes

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At a lunch in the terrace of the Cèdres restaurant of the Grand Hotel des Thermes overlooking the gardens and the mountains, I enjoy the healthy cuisine of the Chef Thierry Giannini.

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The Committed Poetic Exhibition

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Bubbly Martine Camillieri

The former Art Director in advertising is today a committed “repented” artist “but with humor! (I quote) who makes us reflect on our relationship with food, junk food, food processing and industrial products, and environmental impact.

I really liked in her book “Wild Food” (Les éditions de l’épure), her puns illustrated with simple and obvious pictures almost childish, with a double meaning.

Martine has also “hallucinations” when she hits the road by truck across Europe for two months and more. And she transforms mere pebbles in food and food in pebbles. A corrosive deliciously enjoyable work! A bit Dada … 

France-Brides-les-Bains-Health-Resort-Festival-Nourrir-Sa-Santé-Amateur-Exhibition-Martine-Camillieri-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Brides-les-Bains-Health-Resort-Festival-Nourrir-Sa-Santé-Amateur-Exhibition-Martine-Camillieri-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  France-Brides-les-Bains-Health-Resort-Festival-Nourrir-Sa-Santé-Amateur-Exhibition-Martine-Camillieri-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Photos & videos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

Informations  

Tourism Office of Brides-les-Bains, Festival Nourrir sa santéThermes de Brides-les-Bains

Related posts : DESTINATIONSLIFESTYLE & BEAUTE

Many thanks to the Tourism Office of Brides les Bains and Thermes de Brides-les-Bains for this invitation. Thanks to Thierry Calais, the Chef David Hammon, the Chef  Sébastien Roux, Martine Camillieri and MC-K-L. As always, these opinions are my own. 

La Tania: Skiing & Gastronomy

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Igloo & Snowmobile

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It Is Minus 8 Degrees Outside

and as there is wind, it is freezing cold! If you need keep action between ski sessions, go to Courchevel Adventure! Among many activities you can participate in the construction of an Igloo. Or drive a snowmobile on the Courchevel heights, overlooking the small airfield …

Picture below : the view of the entrance, from inside the igloo where the temperature is better than outside.

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I finally drove a snowmobile!

When I put on my helmet, I’m a little impressed, but soon I found my rhythm. I confirm: driving is a thousand times more exciting and fun! In addition, it’s very nice here because the snowmobile circuit is pretty “flat”. 

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Gourmet Lunch at Le Farçon

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Back To La Tania

to discover the inventive cuisine of Michelin-starred chef Julien Machet (one star for ten years), who started as a pastry chef (pictured below, my favorite dessert!). The restaurant Le Farçon is located both in the resort center and near the slopes.

The food is original and delicious! While tasting, first you can identify each aromas that mingle in the mouth. The plates are also beautiful to look at. A graphic modern presentation that reminds me of the “Japanese style” (photos above).

If the chef has no favourite ingredient : “the favourite ingredient is the right ingredient”, he likes using an unusual ingredient, the hay in sorbet, syrup, beer and even chocolate! “The hay has a strong smell. I wanted to taste it.” he prosaically adds. Being honest, my brain was unable to classify this ingredient in the “I like”, or “I don’t like”: too unique! Quite disturbing!  

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Julien Machet cooks with quality natural products from Savoie. He also enjoys travels: “It’s not good to be too chauvinistic” (below: a black and white portrait in the kitchen). Recently, he was inspired in Vietnam by a dish based on banana, coconut and tapioca that he added in his restaurant menu. 

He founded the Chef de Cœur four years ago. Each year, for this special event he cooks with other chefs and the profits are donated to the Banque alimentaire savoyarde (Food Bank of Savoy) to fight against hunger in the Savoie region. “My grandmother who came from Italy, has always shared the food. She had known hunger.” Do not miss the fifth edition next May with seven chefs. 

On the below third picture : the beautiful ceramics of Lorène Herrero, on the wooden walls of the restaurant Le Farçon. I don’t know why, they remind me Laponia (where I haven’t been yet). Check out the work of this gifted young artist! 

France-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-Gastronomic-Restaurant-Le-Farçon-Michelin-Starred-Chef-Julien-Machet-3A-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  France-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-Gastronomic-Restaurant-Le-Farçon-Michelin-Starred-Chef-Julien-Machet-5-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-Gastronomic-Restaurant-Le-Farçon-Michelin-Starred-Chef-Julien-Machet-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  France-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-French-Alps-Alpine-Chalets-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Let’s go skiing!

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After The Festin,

I’m back to my ski training (need to burn millions of calories, lol)! Yesterday, it was cross country skiing, today skiing! I join Julian Malandrone, an ESF instructor for a ski lesson on the slopes of La Tania. If in Méribel, I was unable to grip a ski tow, in La Tania no problem. In fact it is pretty easy!

After assessing my level, we go skiing on almost empty slopes lined with fir trees! Magical! Go skiing excluding school holidays, especially if you are a beginner! You avoid the crowd and the stress. Occasionally, Julian shows me how skiing a bit in the fresh powder. Awesome! The sky clears revealing the mountains, there is no noise. See you at my next stop (coming up post) … 

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Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

Informations  

www.latania.comwww.les3vallees.com  

For cross country skiing or skiing lessons, you can contact the ESF La Tania : +33 (0)4 79 08 80 39 and Julian Malandrone : +33 (0)677789353.

Related posts : DESTINATIONSHOTEL REVIEWS & LIFESTYLE

Many thanks to the 3 Vallées and La Tania Tourist Office for this exciting invitation. Many thanks to the chef Julien Machet and his team, and Julian Malandrone and the ESF La Tania. As always these opinions are my own.

Ski And Cocktails In Meribel, France

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Skiing Among The Fir Trees

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In The Late Morning

I arrive in Meribel and quickly discover the beautiful resort, with finely carved wooden houses, under a thick blanket of snow and blinding sun. Time to drop off my luggage at the hotel and get my skis and you can find me on the slopes with my globetrotter buddy and emeritus skier, Helen.

Sunny day, I am amazed by discovering the stunning surroundings: mountains and slopes lined with firs (just for us or so, there are not many people, we are off season)! I get used to Val Thorens, where there is no tree on the edge of the slopes. Skiing among the fir trees is magical!

At the end of the afternoon, we stop atop Tougnète (at 2405m, fantastic panorama), at the mountain restaurant, Les Cretes. As I am not really hungry, I choose a walnut tart with tea. And VIP treatment, we go down to the resort into groomer (a big thank you to the team of trackers)! What an thrilling experience!

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Cocktails & Dinner at The Savoy

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A Break In My Hotel

to enjoy a super long shower, I’m exhausted. Towards 8-8.30 p.m. I join the bubbly Elizabeth for a cocktail at the bar of Le Savoy and then dinner at Le Resto. I immediately liked the chiaroscuro lighting and colors of the very cozy lounge.

Comfortably sat in a deep sofa, with a glass of champagne vaguely listening to another lounge music mix. Hovering after a busy day of skiing! The atmosphere is relaxed and a little chic. I really enjoy the fireplace (lol). 

The interior design of Le Resto is really nice too. On the photo montage below, some details that I really liked and the entry of Ravioles de gambas dans un jus de citronnelle et bergamote (Prawn ravioli in a lemon and bergamot juice). Quite a journey … To be continued …

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Back To The Hotel

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Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

Informations  

www.meribel.netwww.les3vallees.com

Related posts : DESTINATIONSHOTEL REVIEWS & LIFESTYLE

Many thanks to the 3 Vallées and Meribel Tourist Office for this beautiful invitation. As always these opinions are my own.