February 26, 2013
A Taste of Vermont: Culinary Retreat Weekends
Matthew Wexler READ TIME: 2 MIN.
Looking for a cozy, culinary getaway? Caf� Provence and the Lilac Inn are hosting a series of Vermont Culinary Retreat Weekends for visitors with a passion for cooking, a penchant for Vermont's farm to table bounties and a desire to experience the warmth of a classic Vermont country inn.
Former Executive Chef of the Four Seasons Hotel in Boston and New England Culinary Institute Chef Robert Barral from Caf� Provence will guide the couples with hands-on preparation of a four-course meal in his culinary theater.
The retreat's emphasis is farm to table cuisine, with a focus on Vermont ingredients. The weekend itinerary includes tours of central Vermont farms, such as Blue Ledge Farm for the goat cheese, a newly created yak farm and the Spotted Dog Family Farm.
"The Lilac Inn and Caf� Provence are a perfect pairing for those seeking a farm-to-table immersion in a town beautifully nestled between the Lake Champlain Valley and Green Mountains," said Vermont's Department of Tourism and Marketing Commissioner Megan Smith.
Guests are greeted on Friday evening with a small reception and dinner at Caf� Provence. The cooking begins on Saturday morning. After lunch, the afternoon options include touring farms, an in-room massage or a sleigh ride through the winter snow. Come springtime, Vermont embraces "mud season" as the winter snow melts and maple tapping begins - the perfect time to curl up with a good book.
Later in the afternoon, guests return to the Caf� to complete the evening's culinary creation with Chef Barral and enjoy their grand dinner in the new private dining room. The weekend adjourns after a Sunday morning breakfast cooking demonstration.
When not in the kitchen (or the dining room), visitors can explore the charming town of Brandon, which looks as if it's been lifted from a Currier & Ives lithograph. Charming shops offer exposure to local artists, antiques and handcrafted collectibles.
Vermont Culinary Retreat Weekends:
March 22-24
April 5-7
April 19-21
$995/per couple
Includes two nights lodging at the Lilac Inn, meals and classes at the Caf� Provence, a visit to the Vermont goat farm and all taxes and gratuities.
For more information, visit:
www.cafeprovencevt.com
www.lilacinn.com
Matthew Wexler is EDGE's Senior Editor, Features & Branded Content. More of his writing can be found at www.wexlerwrites.com. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram at @wexlerwrites.
