Food, friends and France
Discover three ingredients for the best summer ever! Join us on our Cooking and Culture Program and elevate your culinary skills while crafting meals that nourish the body, inspire the soul, and bring people together.
Cook and connect
Set at our château in the heart of Normandy, this program invites you to slow down, cook with intention, and experience French culture through its most beloved language — food.
Through hands-on classes, food adventures and cultural excursions, you’ll discover the traditions that make France the heart of world cuisine. Visit lively markets and artisanal food shops, meet local producers, and dine in a range of restaurants, from cozy bistros to a Michelin-starred lunch, gaining insight into the pride and passion that shape French gastronomy.
At the château, you’ll cook and eat the French way, preparing and sharing a three-course meal each evening. Rooted in community, this program invites you to experience food as the French do as a celebration of place, connection, and creativity.
DAILY SCHEDULE
8:30: Breakfast
9:30: Group meet up
10:00: Morning Session (Cooking class, market shop or culinary exploration)
12:30: Lunch
1:30: Afternoon Session (Dinner prep, gastronomic excursion or guest chef demo)
6:00: Dinner
8:00: Evening activities (Film Night, Baking Club)
Creativity beyond the kitchen
As you develop your skills in the kitchen, you’ll also weave photography, writing, and art into your experience. Through guided workshops, the group will create a beautifully curated anthology of recipes, reflections, and imagery that captures the essence of your journey.
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Dates and Details
Program Dates
SUMMER 2026
Session 1: June 24th - July 11th, 2026
Session 2: July 26th - August 12th, 2026
Cohort Size
12-14 students
Ages
14 - 18 including all graduated seniors and those starting a gap year
Cost
$5800 inclusive of all rooming, meals, excursions, activities. Not included in the cost is round trip airfare to Paris and some meals out. Scholarships are available for this program.
Eligibility
This program is open to all, no experience required.
Language Requirements
None. The program is taught entirely in English.
Program Highlights
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Build Culinary Confidence: Learn a range of culinary skills and master classic dishes like ratatouille, tarte tatin, and boeuf bourguignon.
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Savor the Flavors of Normandy: Explore bustling markets specialty shops and regional delicacies, tasting your way through Normandy’s best.
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Meet the Makers: Taste oysters from the sea, see how croissants are made and meet people who dedicate their lives to preserving Normandy’s culinary heritage.
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Dine Like the French: Each evening, gather for a shared meal prepared by the community. Enjoy dining out at local bistros, farm-to-table restaurants, and a Michelin-starred restaurant as an end of program celebration.
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Explore Normandy’s Treasures: Step beyond the kitchen to discover the beauty of the region. Hike coastal cliffs, enjoy the stunning beaches and visit world-famous Mont St Michel.
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Live the Culture: Cooking in France is a way of life. Learn to plan, shop, and cook with the seasons — embracing slow meals, shared stories, and the simple joy of living beautifully together.
Who is this program for?
This program is for anyone with a love of food, culture, and community. Whether you are thinking about Culinary school or love to cook at home, you’ll fit right in if you:
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Love to Cook and Create: You know your way around a kitchen and want to refine your skills. From mastering knife techniques to building rich sauces, culinary students and passionate home cooks alike will find room to grow here.
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Appreciate Good Food: You’re eager to explore new flavors, refine your palate, and maybe even learn to love foods you never expected.
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Thrive in Community: You enjoy collaboration, shared meals, and learning side-by-side with others. Cooking, eating, and living together are at the heart of the experience.
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Have a Spirit of Discovery: You’re curious, open-minded, and eager to explore new cultures. You value authenticity and hands-on learning — the kind that leaves you changed in the best way.
BOGDAN SILAGHI
Bogdan lives at the chateau year-round and has cooked on our programs for over a decade. Originally from Romania, Bogdan made a name for himself in London as an actor and a chef, working in kitchens to fund his way through an MA in Acting. Since then, he has been devoted to food, moving to Normandy and becoming our full-time chef and culinary teacher.
JAMES BOEKEE
James studied at the Auguste Escoffier School in England. He moved to Normandy more than 40 years ago and built a long career as a restaurant owner, professional chef, and caterer. With over four decades in the hospitality and food service industry, James is passionate about farm-to-table cooking and embracing simple, fresh meals enjoyed in good company.
CHRIS GAGGIA
Chris is a passionate cook and avid outdoorsman. He studied Creative Writing but got his real education working in the climbing industry, where his love of human-powered adventure put him on an unexpected career path. He taught in the high school classroom for 11 years and worked at Patagonia for 9 years before becoming a Co-Director of Berridge Programs.
ANDREA MARDON
Andrea is a mindfulness practitioner, artist, gardener, and Normandy enthusiast. She first visited Normandy in 2007 and immediately fell in love. In 2008, she founded Berridge Programs which has since grown into a year-round programs designed to share the beauty and connection of Normandy with young people from around the world.
Who works on this program?
Educator Open Days
While our Cooking and Culture Program is in session, we have an open-door invitation to any Culinary Arts Educators to join us for a three-day culinary adventure!
You’ll have the chance to see how our programs run, meet our team, explore the stunning Cotentin Peninsula, and discover for yourself what makes this region such a rich classroom for culinary learning.
Whether you’re thinking of bringing a group on one of our tours or simply curious about what we do, our Open Days are the perfect way to experience the food culture of Normandy in person.
2026 DATES:
Any three days between June 27 - July 9, 2026
Any three days between July 28 - August 9, 2026
OPEN DAYS ARE OFFERED FREE OF CHARGE
Get in touch to plan your site visit to Normandy this summer.
Culinary Discovery Tours
For high school teachers and their students
Designed for Culinary Arts teachers and their students, our Culinary Discovery Tour invites you to explore Normandy’s vibrant food culture discovering how history, geography, and tradition shape the integrity and reputation of French cuisine.
From tasting oysters fresh from the sea to baking bread in a 200-year-old wood-fired oven, each experience offers an authentic glimpse into the region’s deep-rooted culinary heritage. Along the way, you’ll meet chefs, farmers, and artisans whose craft reflects the connection between food, community, and culture.
More than a school trip, this program fosters global awareness, creative thinking, and cultural understanding, helping students appreciate how food tells the story of a place and its people.
We offer flexible dates from May - August, as well as customized itineraries designed to meet your group’s educational goals and budget.