Many of our travelers have enjoyed private French cooking classes with Brigitte Dumant at her beautiful home in Normandy. Brigitte kindly agreed to answer some questions for us to help our readers get to know her a little better!

In this interview, she tells us more about her classes, and shares some of her best tips for cooking and sourcing the freshest ingredients

You may also like to browse our sample Gourmet Food Tours to get more inspiration for your next trip to France!

Brigitte and travelers in her garden after a cooking class
Brigitte with travelers Marcia, Elliot, Evelyn & Steve after a cooking class
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Marcia, Elliot, Evelyn & Steve

How did you learn to cook?

I learned from my mother, and my family owns six restaurants in Paris! I always loved cooking and having friends home for dinner - isn't it a good combination??

What's special about Norman cuisine?

In Normandy, you can find the best creamy ingredients: cream, cheese, the best apples, and the best Calvados (apple brandy) to flambé what you are cooking!!

Brigitte in her home kitchen, where she teaches her cooking classes
Brigitte in her home kitchen, where she teaches her cooking classes
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Brigitte Dumant

Where do you source your ingredients?

My husband is busy with the vegetable garden, which includes artichokes, zucchinis, eggplants, squash, tomatoes, and different herbs.

I go to a special farm to buy chicken and I buy local fish (such as scallops, sole, shrimps and crab) from fishermen’s wives at Trouville. They sell the fish their husbands have caught during the day or night directly from the boat, and of course, the fish is very fresh!

My favorite local markets are at Pont-l'Évêque or Deauville, where many local producers sell their products.

Fresh scallops from Normandy
"This morning, I went to the open market at Deauville and I bought scallops in their shells directly from the boat." - Brigitte
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Brigitte Dumant

Can you share your favorite cooking tip?

I love to teach travelers how to make sauces, to make dishes extra special. When I prepare a sauce, I always begin slowly and carefully. The secret is to cook it gently and slowly for a long time and not to do it too fast. No hurry!

What are your favorite cooking ingredients? 

I love to use different herbs, such as fresh oregano, chives, tarragon, thyme, and rosemary, to enhance the flavor.

Do you have a favorite restaurant in Normandy?

I go to restaurants to have fun with friends or family - this is the most important thing for me - so any restaurant with a special and good atmosphere! We usually go to Les Vapeurs in Trouville, which is a brasserie and an institution.

Brigitte's house in Normandy, where she teaches her cooking classes
Brigitte's house in Normandy, where she teaches her cooking classes
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Brigitte Dumant

We are very grateful to Brigitte for taking the time to answer our questions!

For us at France Just For You, it's important to us that our travelers have the chance to immerse themselves in French culture, with lots of opportunities to interact with local French people, like Brigitte.

We can arrange private tours with expert local guides; specialist activities like truffle-hunting; wine-tastings; and private cooking classes with local culinary experts, all of whom speak good English and will make you feel welcome in France.

If you would like to book one of our self drive tours in Normandy and include a cooking class with Brigitte, let us know - we would love to hear from you!

France Just For You

Experts in self-drive tours in France

Travelers Reviews

5.0
Roger
For my wife and me, Emilie planned three weeks of wonderful experiences. She was quick to respond to questions and crafted an itinerary which suited us. The selection of places to see, things to do, and where to eat were superb. Emilie added a charming personal touch. As it was our 30-year anniversary, she arranged for an accommodation to welcome …
Sandy & Dennis
Emilie and Guillaume planned a wonderful trip for us. The B&Bs we stayed in were outstanding. Every recommendation -from restaurants to walks to things to do and see -was wonderful. They were very responsive to all our questions and concerns. I recommend them VERY highly and without reservation.
William
Laura did such an amazing job tailoring our dream trip through the south of France. Everything was professionally done and the service and communication were perfect. Thanks to their hard work organising all of the minute details we were able to enjoy and relax all of the fun activities that they planned for us. And the guidebook is an absolute …
Cat & Family
One would think driving in a different country where cars are on the wrong side of the road and you don’t speak the language for 11 day trip would not be a smart decision. France Just for You is definitely the travel consultant you go to. Emilie’s very quick replies to queries, personal knowledge of having been to places recommended and …
Marcia
We would highly recommend “France Just for You” and will most defiantly use the services of Emilie again. At the end of April 2017 we spend two weeks in France visiting Normandy, Mont Saint Michel, Lorie Valley and Paris. We can would sum the trip in one word “Perfect!”. Emilie well prepared us with a personalized book, (179 pages) , describing our …
Jeanie & David
We were planning a trip to the Ryder Cup and looking for other places to visit while in France. I happened upon the France Just for You website and started some planning with Emilie. She took over and gave us great plans for every day and great accomodations. All of her suggestions were perfect, actually too much for us to do each day. Her travel …