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Posts Tagged ‘French Food’
Single pot Alpine recipes for hungry skiers with French chef Mickael Weiss
You know the feeling, exhausted and ravenous from a day’s skiing or snowboarding, you arrive back at your apartment, and the last thing you want to do is spend ages preparing and cooking a meal. And let’s face it, eating out every night can be expensive and it’s not always convenient – especially with a young family in tow.
Mickael Weiss © www.petewebb.com
But what should you cook? Well, as luck would have it, the talented and incredibly lovely chef Mickael Weiss was on hand at the 3 Vallées Bar at this year’s Ski Show, where he put together a series of three simple, yet tasty single pot dishes, exclusively for Pierre & Vacances and the 3 Vallées. Each dish can be made in under 20 minutes using classic French Alpine ingredients, readily available in resorts and in even the smallest apartment kitchen. Please note: for smaller ovens, either start with a casserole dish or transfer to put in the oven.
Dish 1 – One Pan Frittata
Dish 2 – Local Ham and Saffron Rice Casserole
Dish 3 – Single Pot Tartiflette
You can download Mickael Weiss’ single pot Alpine recipes for hungry skiers here: Single pot ski recipes – Mickael Weiss
Mickael Weiss, Executive Head Chef for nearly a decade at Coq d’Argent, the landmark City restaurant, is one of the best-established French chefs around. During his career, he has gained experience at revered dining establishments such as Le Gavroche, Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons and The Walnut Tree Inn. He has also held the position of head chef at Kartouche, followed by stints at Chapter One and Bleeding Heart, before settling at Coq d’Argent in December 2000. During the last 10 years Weiss has provided consultancy for the likes of Orrery helping to retain it’s Michelin Star, Sartoria and Quaglino’s.
Mickael is also a TV veteran having appeared as the chef on the BBC’s Supersizers programmes with Giles Coren and Sue Perkins, where he prepared a feast fit for King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. He has also worked on Master Chef series 1 and 2, and Celebrity Master Chef 2008.
Three Pierre & Vacances apartments in the 3 Vallees:
1. Modern and chic
Pierre & Vacances’ newly renovated Le Christiana residence in the Trois Vallées resort of La Tania offers spectacular views of the valley as well as ski-in/ski-out convenience. The property is located in the centre of the resort, which also boasts the Michelin-starred Le Farçon restaurant, making it a great base for foodies!
2. Traditional comfort
The residence “Les Fermes de Méribel” has spacious and comfortable apartments divided between six small stone and wood chalets. It lies in a pleasant wooded environment in the heart of Méribel Village, and has direct access to the slopes.
3. On a budget
The Résidence Maeva Belle Plagne Les Gémeaux has been newly renovated with funky modern furnishings and is an ideal location in the ski-in/ski-out hamlet of Belle Plagne.
Pierre & Vacances is the number one provider of ski accommodation in the French Alps. Featuring 120 ski residences and hotels in more than 40 ski resorts across the French Alps and Pyrenees.
Final chance to enter Les 3 Vallées cook off competition and brush shoulders with Heston Blumenthal
Entry deadline 5pm October 14th!!!
Calling all Alpine food fanatics and budding chefs, the final countdown to taking part in Les 3 Vallées cook off competition has begun! Enter now for the chance to demonstrate your culinary skills in front of a who’s who of celebrity chefs at the Ski and Snowboard show London Olympia 20-24 October 2010.
Ten lucky finalists will cook at the show, competing for a place in the finale, which will be judged by culinary magician Heston Blumenthal. The ultimate winner will be given a week’s gourmet skiing holiday for two in Les 3 Vallées, France.
This could also be your chance to impress top Michelin star chefs from the 3 Vallées, accompanied by Chef of the year 2009, Mickael Weiss, head chef at the Coq d’Argent in London who will be on hand throughout the show to demonstrate their skills and tantalise your taste buds with their unique creations!
To enter, come up with three gourmet Alpine finger food dishes to create in front of these top celebrity chefs at the Ski and Snowboard Show. Two cooks will compete each day in a bid to win a holiday to the 3 Vallées, staying in the newly renovated Pierre & Vacances Christiania apartments in La Tania!!
Just send in your favorite Alpine recipes, to include at least two of the ingredients listed below, by email to les3valleescookoff@les3vallees.com and you could be in with a chance to win a ticket for the Ski and Snowboard show, as well as the opportunity to hone your culinary skills in the presence of top Michelin star chefs.
- Cured ham (jambon cru des montagnes)
- Streaky bacon (lard de poitrine)
- Beaufort cheese
- White or red Savoie wine (vin de Savoie)
For full terms and conditions, visit Le 3 Vallées competition page here.
Visit the competition Facebook page here.
The 3 Vallées which comprises ski resorts Courchevel, La Tania, Méribel, Brides-les-Bains, Les Menuires, Saint Martin de Belleville, Val Thorens and Orelle, will be once again sponsoring the 3 Vallées resort bar at the Ski and Snowboard Show at London Olympia throughout the event.
Holiday like the French guide by Pierre & Vacances: How to book a ski holiday like the French!
Holiday like the French Part Five
How to book a ski holiday like the French!
How do the French always look so unflustered and chic when on holiday? Is it because they booked their ski trips online without any hassle? What’s their secret, and more importantly, are they saving any more cash than us Brits? Hopefully our insider guide of how to book a ski holiday online without any hassle should help you along..
Whether you’re a ski virgin or a seasoned pro, now is the perfect time to be booking your New Year escape to the slopes. Simon Calder, senior travel editor at The Independent caught up with two of our French experts, Marie and Jerome, to try and find some insider tips on how to get a great deal on your next winter break.
Watch our guide online here:
Holiday Like the French guide by Pierre & Vacances: How to have a ski holiday like the French!
Holiday like the French part four
How do the French manage to swan around ski resorts year on year, looking chic and unflustered? More importantly- which ski resorts do they spend time in, and do they save any money whilst being there, compared to us Brits?
Hopefully, our guide will point you in the right direction and help you choose the right slopes and resort without busting your bank balance.
If you’re planning a ski holiday to the Alps and are trying to get the most for your hard earned bucks, it’s time to put Hello and Heat out of your mind and start googling the brilliant ski destinations you can actually afford.
OK, so the Beckham’s have strutted their stuff in Courcheval, Hugh Grant and Jamie Oliver live it up in Verbier, and Kate Moss and George Clooney are just a few of the big names who flock to St Moritz, but if your budget is more suited to packed lunches than hanging out in Michelin-starred restaurants, it pays to choose your resort with care.
At Pierre & Vacances, we firmly believe that choosing to stay in an affordable French ski resort does not mean you have to comprise on style, comfort and access to the slopes. Pierre & Vacances have plenty of resorts in top ski areas of France, with plenty of secret gems that even the A-List haven’t discovered yet. The French flock to these hubs in their droves, and you won’t catch a savvy French ski party following celebrities’ wake, they prefer to ski their own path!
Our French neighbours who, thanks to their proximity to the mountains take regular trips to the slopes, know the top spots that deliver the best snow and après ski for a lot less. To find out what we Brits could learn from our friends across the Channel, The Independent’s Travel Editor, Simon Calder interviewed French ski buffs Jerome and Marie for a special Pierre & Vacances video feature – ‘How to Holiday Like the French.’
Follow our guide to skiing like the French…
Where to ski in France?
While the unfriendly Euro exchange rate puts a squeeze on your budget wherever you go in the Alps this season, the French resorts that have traditionally offered better value for money will still come in cheaper than the slopes graced by the stars.
French ski lovers on a budget avoid the upmarket resorts. At the top of their lists are the equally enticing but better value snow havens of Chamonix, Avoriaz, Serre Chevalier, and Valmorel – all of which are easily accessible from the UK, too.
Three of the best – value ski resorts in France
Serre Chevalier
Located in the Haute-Alpes region, Serre Chevalier is one of France’s biggest resorts with a massive 250km ski area. Its 13 villages and hamlets scattered across the valley blend tradition and modernity, and the resort also offers a wide range of activities for the whole family. With its large natural terrain it is also considered one of the best snowboarding destinations in Europe.
Hot deal: Situated in the mountain village of Villeneuve, Résidence Pierre & Vacances L’Alpaga , has comfortable, spacious self-catering apartments with fully equipped kitchens, and it is surrounded by a landscaped garden. It is ideally located just 50m from the shops and 200m from the ski lifts. Transfer: Grenoble airport (2 hrs) or Chambery station (3 hrs).
Studio apartments for up to four people costs from 530 Euros for a week’s ski holiday in January 2010.
Valmorel
A great choice for first-timers and family ski trips, Valmorel is a purpose-built French ski resort comprising several small satellite villages in the Grande Domaine. Valmorel and St Francois Longchamps together offer 165km of marked pistes.
Valmorel’s resort centre is car-free and it also scores top marks for families as most of its pistes cater for beginners and intermediates, and there are plenty of designated practice areas. The ski area is on your doorstep which means you can literally ski to your door – another big plus if you’re skiing with kids.
Hot deal: Built in the traditional Savoyard style, the Pierre & Vacances Chalets du Morel residences comprise a selection of small hamlets scattered around the resort. All residences offer comfortable self-catering apartments within 200m of the ski lifts and shops and restaurants of the resort centre.
Seven nights in a studio apartment for up to four people costs from just 520 Euros.
Chamonix
Chamonix is a much-loved ski resort due to the variety of outdoor activities you can participate in here. The summit of Mont Blanc is the third most visited natural site in the world and the mountains hosts activities such as ice climbing, alpine mountaineering and extreme skiing. There is all sorts of terrain, but this is the perfect destination for the expert winter sports enthusiast and the adventurous.
Chamonix is famous for its cable car up to Aiguille du Midi as well as the panoramic restaurant at the top station of the Brévent cable car, which boasts impressive views of the Mont Blanc Massif.
Hot deal: Check into the Maeva Chamonix La Riviere residence in the district of Chamonix Sud. Here you’ll enjoy comfortable self-catering apartments with the Aiguille du Midi cable car just 300m from your door.
Studio apartments for up to four cost from just 365 Euros for seven nights in January 2010.
When to go skiing
It pays to remember that the UK and French school holidays don’t necessarily coincide. In order to avoid the crowds, canny French skiers book their holidays when our kids are at school. So take their lead and plan your trip when they’re not going to be on holiday!
While the French are able to enjoy last-minute weekend breaks that can prove more difficult for us as we have to cross the Channel, there’s another French trick you can follow. Travelling to the mountains mid-week, particularly if you go by rail during the day will not save you money on travel costs but resorts will be quieter as so many French people head to the mountains just for the weekend. Mid-January is a great time to go - you’ll get the best snow and all the schools have gone back so you’ll have the slopes all to yourself. In March or April, you can pick up some great last minute and short break offers for the end of the season.
Go self-catering
The French favour self-catering apartments over catered chalets for good reason – they not only love cooking up a feast ‘at home’ for family and friends but know that getting into this ski habit saves a heap of money. Take their lead by stocking up on local goodies from the supermarket to make your own tasty packed lunches (you don’t need us to tell you have pricey the cafes on the slopes can be) and hearty dinners. Do this and might well be able to afford a celebratory splurge in your resort’s best restaurant on your last night.
Self-catering apartments are so much easier than hotels for families too – you can cook when you want to and share rooms and space rather than being restricted by meal times and hotel rooms.
Ski lessons
To save money, think about getting a group of friends together to share a lesson – or join one of the existing group lessons, which the Ecole du Ski Francais run in every resort. Private lessons are for stars like Victoria Beckham only! Don’t forget to check out the free parties that the local tourist offices hold, too.
All Pierre & Vacances residences featured are ski in/ ski out and are self-catering apartments with fully equipped kitchens and cooking facilities.
To make your Euro go even further, Pierre & Vacances have introduced the hugely popular offer to help Beat the Euro Designed to help cash strapped Brits ‘beat the Euro’, the deal offers at least 15 percent off all ski accommodation on PV-Holidays.com, the website for Pierre & Vacances. The offer is valid all season, on all dates and resorts and can also be combined with any other offer currently available on the website, including the 20 percent early booking discount.
The exclusive discount code is 8258 and you can claim your discount to get money off your next ski holiday. Pierre & Vacances will also be posting lots of offers in the new year.
Holiday like the French guide by Pierre & Vacances: How to..look chic like the French on holiday!
How to holiday like the French part three
How to look chic like the French on holiday!
How do the French manage to swan around ski resorts year on year, looking chic and unflustered? More importantly- do they save any cash when buying ski gear, compared to us Brits?
Hopefully, our guide will point you in the right direction and help you look chic on the slopes without busting your bank balance. We say, it’s fine to save on your ski clothing and accommodation, but that doesn’t mean you have to go without on comfort and style if you choose to stick with affordable options.
It goes without saying that the French are streets are ahead in all things sartorial. Looking great whatever the occasion and knowing exactly what to wear to suit their shape and cut a dash seems to come annoyingly naturally to these folk. What might come as a surprise is just how canny our Gallic friends can be when it comes to saving money on ski gear for their French holiday.
The economic meltdown has hit Europe hard but no serious French ski lover will forego their break to the mountain – even if it means borrowing someone else’s ski clothes…
To find out what we Brits could learn from our friends across the Channel, The Independent’s Travel Editor, Simon Calder interviewed French couple, and ski buffs Jerome and Marie. View their video here and find out some tips for being thrifty before hitting the slopes.
What to wear on the slopes
And, of course, in addition to ski resort tips, he asked the big question: just how do the French manage to pull off looking great on the piste for less?
Here are Marie and Jerome’s tips on what to buy and pack for your ski holiday..
• Buy one key piece – and if in doubt make it a good ski jacket. And when we say good, we don’t necessarily mean designer, unless you’re a regular customer on the piste and want to splash your cash. It is vital that your ski jacket fits you properly, allows you to move freely -and keeps the ice and snow out! Opt for the jacket that offer the best fit – is waterproof and cosy with no gaps around the neck and sleeves – over the latest copycat designer looks for the season which might deliver on style but fail on functionality. With a bit of hunting around, you’ll be able to find a great jacket that you feel great in and will last for many ski trips to come.
• …and borrow everything else! Booking your ski trip to the French Alps well in advance not only gets you some great deals, but means you have time to rustle up outfits and ski kit from family and friends. Why not post a message on Facebook or email your relatives who are avid skiers to ask for a loan of ski gloves, hats, and trousers?
• Second-hand goodies: If you can’t borrow all you need from friends or simply want your own stuff without paying over the odds, make the most of the online shopping sites that offer some brilliant bargains. Bid on E-bay for skis and poles, or pick up some ski gear bargains at Decathlon, which has a vast range of ski and snowboard accessories, kit and clothing. Order online and your goods will be delivered to your door.
• Rent it: Don’t get stung by hefty bills for skis, boots or snowboard hire in resort. Booking your rented kit online from the UK before you go can save you a substantial wad of cash.
Snowrental.net is currently offering savings of up 50% on skis and snowboards from over 800 shops in Europe and North America. The SnowRental website allows you to browse through a huge range of skis, boards and boots and then book directly with the shop in your chosen ski resort. This way you pick them up when you get there, safe in the knowledge the right kit is reserved for you and at a great saving!
And remember, staying warm and dry will always win you style points!
Don’t forget to save on your accommodation as well as your wardrobe when booking your ski holiday to France this season. Pierre & Vacances have plenty of discounts and offers to help you find the best ski deal, whether your planning a family, group or romantic ski trip. Visit the offers page on www.pv-holidays.com, the website for Pierre & Vacances.
Don’t forget their exclusive discount offer for UK customers this season. Beat The Euro has been designed to help cash strapped Brits ‘beat the Euro’. The deal offers at least 15 percent off all ski accommodation on PV-Holidays.com. The offer is valid all season, on all dates and resorts and can also be combined with any other offer currently available on the website, including the 20 percent early booking discount.
The exclusive discount code is 8258 and you can claim your discount to get money off your next ski holiday. Pierre & Vacances will also be posting lots of offers in the new year so keep an eye out!
