Friends, sadly Robin is running no further
cooking workshops.
The venue was sold, the pandemic, and Father Time
all played a role.
Nevertheless, check out his three cookbooks. The most recent (2020) is:
Robin Ellis’s Mediterranean Vegetarian Cooking
Mediterranean Cooking for Diabetics: Delicious Dishes to Control or Avoid Diabetes
and
Healthy Eating for Life
(All are available via Amazon or from your local bookstore. They exist as ebooks too!)
La Terrasse de Lautrec is an elegant and charming small hotel in the center of the scenic French village in the beautiful department of the Tarn:
http://www.laterrassedelautrec.com/
Video tour of La Terrasse and the village of Lautrec: http://www.laterrassedelautrec.com/video/
From its magnificent and historic terrace garden there are lovely views over the countryside.
Wifi throughout; swimming pool; en suite bathrooms; free street parking.
Cooking class participants May 2013
The whole thing felt like the most amazing multi-day dinner party at which no one ever was tired or bored!
–Christopher Lupone (May workshop 2013)
The Cooking Classes
Robin leads all the cooking classes (in English).
Group Size: Between 6 to 8 participants
The dishes are based on Robin’s cookbooks, Delicious Dishes for Diabetics, Healthy Eating for Life and Mediterranean Cooking for Diabetics.
The accent is on healthy, delicious food based on Mediterranean cuisine.
It’s home-style cooking—not complicated or professional chef style.
I liked the small, hands-on nature of it. Robin made the whole thing feel very informal and yet everything was very well organized. –Christopher Lupone
We liked Robin’s teaching method–his ability to present his recipes and ingredients to a group of total strangers in a way that put everyone at ease.
That naturalness of manner helped everyone work very well together. It was fun!
–Jane and Daniel Berical
The group prepare lunch and dinner together under Robin’s guidance.
(Kitchen clean-up help is provided!)
Simone is Robin’s assistant and helps keep chaos at bay!
I was one of the original Bravehearts – I would greatly encourage anyone who can to take this workshop. It’s a once in a lifetime experience. The village of Lautrec is like nothing you have ever seen and the venue itself — La Terrasse– is a work of art.
Meredith and Robin are wonderful hosts and the workshop was so much fun! I thought it would be a fun time but greatly underestimated the experience. It turned out to be an incredible adventure.
Go if you can!! –Mary Pirog
Buying fresh fish at Lautrec market
I truly had the time of my life. When Mary returned from your first workshop, she was beaming and her eyes lit up every time she spoke about your workshop and her brief stay in France. I was hoping for a similar experience, but I was a little nervous since I don’t do much cooking these days. However, I found myself very much at ease with you and my fellow bravehearts. You have a wonderful gift for making everyone feel at ease and making every minute of the workshop enjoyable. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and a wonderful cooking/eating life style. I couldn’t have asked for a better time or teacher as well as a great group of people that I had the pleasure of attending with. –Neil
Excursions
Morning outings to local open-air markets including the Friday market in Lautrec and the Saturday market in Castres.
Non-cooking Partners/Friends/Spouses
The price of the workshop is based on each participant having her/his own private bedroom usually with ensuite bathroom. The two bedrooms in the gite share a bathroom plus an extra W.C. However all the rooms can accommodate two people (some double beds, some twin).
You may bring a spouse, partner, friend, traveling companion who doesn’t wish to cook for a supplement. Please enquire.
Visiting a local garlic farmer for an up-close and personal experience with the famous l’ail rose–pink garlic–for which the village is famous.
Arriving Early, Staying On
If arranged in advance, it is possible to arrive at La Terrasse earlier (indeed most people arrive the day before the course starts) and stay on after the workshop finishes. Contact the owner/manager, Dominique Ducoudray, to make arrangements (she speaks fluent English): d.ducoudray@wanadoo.fr/.
Lautrec
Lautrec
Lautrec is a medieval bastide–a fortified hilltop village with a population of about 1700 people.
Additional photos of La Terrasse and Lautrec: http://tinyurl.com/LautrecWorkshop
It enjoys the official recognition as Un des plus beaux villages de France [one of the most beautiful villages in France].
http://www.lautrec.fr/tourisme_en/index.php
The village is a step back in time with wonderful architecture, pleasant walks with lovely vistas. The church dates back to the 14th century. A lovingly restored working windmill sits on the hillside with a spectacular view from the summit towards the Black Mountains and the Pyrenees.
Lautrec has a charming café-bookstore, Café Plum, a small grocery store, a bakery, a butcher’s shop, an antique store, a pharmacy, post office, several hairdressers, and a few gift shops featuring local culinary delicacies including l’ail rose, pink garlic (the local specialty) and gift items using pastel bleu (the dye that once made the region wealthy).
L’ail rose, pink garlic, a specialty of this village
Dates & Scheduling
Thursday afternoon:
The workshop starts about 4pm with “Welcome” refreshments in the beautiful garden at la Terrasse and group introductions.
Then it’s off to the kitchen with Robin to prepare supper. Dinner together at around the table at La Terrasse.
Friday
We buy our lunch ingredients at the Friday open air market in Lautrec and return to the kitchen to prepare our meal.
Late afternoon, cooking with Robin.
Coffee break–and Robin shares his philosophy of cooking–simple dishes, out with the whites, low glycemic index.
Dinner out together.
Saturday
Morning excursion to the lively Castres Saturday open air market to buy provisions for lunch and dinner.
Kitchen class at with Robin followed by lunch–al fresco in the garden, weather-permitting.
Afternoon cooking class with Robin to prepare a special dinner in the main dining room of La Terrasse.
Excellent kitchen workspace worked very well for this size group. Well-lit, squeaky clean, not too industrial, new appliances…Much like a well-appointed home kitchen which enhanced the feeling of camaraderie among the participants. –Jane and Daniel Berical
Sunday
Cooking with Robin, preparing Sunday lunch, the final celebratory meal!
I appreciated Robin’s happy approach to cooking – not fussy or dogmatic –and his relaxed approach to the class. –Betsy Weber
After attending your workshop I started cooking with olive oil on a regular basis. I eat it almost every day now. I had my annual physical last week [8 months after the workshop] and I was very curious to hear my cholesterol levels as I was so afraid ingesting the olive oil would drive up my numbers. This was going to be the moment of truth…… My cholesterol was 166 down three points from last year’s 169! Not bad at all. I have even dropped a few pounds.
–Mary Pirog
Monday
Departures after breakfast unless you have booked to stay on an extra day or so.
Some people arrive a day early or stay on a few days to enjoy the place and further explore the Tarn.
(Note: This schedule is subject to alteration.)
Everyone takes home their special apron:
All participants also receive a copy of Robin’s cookbook–signed personally, of course!
Hot air balloon rides are possible–weather permitting, at extra cost.
Getting to Lautrec (in the Tarn) southwestern France
Flights
The nearest airports are Toulouse Blagnac and Carcassone (about 1 hour 20 minutes drive).
Toulouse is served by British Air, Air France, KLM, Alitalia and Easy Jet amongst others.
Toulouse Blagnac is an excellent airport as the city is home to France’s aerospace industry. http://www.toulouse.aeroport.fr/en
If you are traveling from north America, you will need to change planes in London, Paris, Barcelona or similar European hub city.
Carcassonne Airport (served by RyanAir [no frills] http://www.ryanair.com/en) is about 1h20 drive to Lautrec. Ryanair runs no frills flights (usually the least expensive alternative) to Carcassonne from: Brussels Charlerois, Cork, Dublin, East Midlands, Eindhoven, Glasgow, Prestwick, Liverpool, London Stansted and Porto.
Castres-Mazamet Airport also has a small airport with a limited service from Paris and other French cities. Airlinair is the main regional airline.
All the airports have rental car agencies on site–but if you require an automatic, it’s best to book well in advance.
The nearest train station is Vielmur-sur-Agout. From the station it is about 10 minutes to Lautrec. We will pick you up for a modest fee.
Private Ground transportation from the airport or train station to Lautrec can be arranged for an extra fee.
Handicapped access: Unfortunately the hotel venue is not suitable for anyone with mobility problems. There is a flight of stairs to the bedrooms and no elevators or lifts. There are also stairs to the demonstration kitchen.
I just want to say that Teri and I had a fantastic time there, and keep in touch with almost everyone in the class…. We really enjoyed touring the Tarn after the workshop, and loved the villages and countryside. We recently went to see “The Hundred Foot Journey”, and recognised St. Antonin-Noble-Val, where we spent a great afternoon and bought some local pottery.
I think the workshop is excellent value for money, and I believe I learned a lot from Robin. I cook almost every day, and I think we have changed our eating habits quite a bit.
–Rod Lipman
Costs:
Accommodation Cost: 500 euros
(Bed and Breakfast for four nights at La Terrasse de Lautrec, where all the classes take place and all the participants stay. Payable after you arrive in Lautrec.)
Robin’s Course Fee: 1200 euros
What’s included:
All cooking tuition with Robin (5 or 6 sessions)
three lunches, three dinners and excursions.
What is not included: Your travel costs to Lautrec.
To book a place, ask for a registration form.
Your place(s) are held on receipt of the form and a deposit (25% of the Robin’s fee, i.e. 300 euros per person)
The balance is due two months before the workshop begins.
Contact: meredithwheeler1@gmail.com
Myriam makes a banana walnut cake for tea.
——————————————————————————————————————————————-
Robin Ellis 
Emilie Lapham, friend of Leslie Purple 633 East Gravers Lane, Wyndmoor, PA 19038 USA
emilielapham@gmail.com
I heard about this wonderful workshop from Leslie Purple who is on the waiting list. We would love to do this together! Please let me know if there is a space and I will send a deposit. I hope to be a part of the experince! I am a Poldark fan too!
I could not get form to work so it is here.
Hoping to be there in October, Emilie Lapham
It’s looking like this October workshop (2012) is full–but we are maintaining a waiting list. If there is the demand, hope to do another workshop in the spring.
Dear Robin,
I have just discovered your website or life-style site as I am going to call it from now on! What a wonderful part of the world you live in. Congratulations on your book and your fantastic website. I have book-marked it!
I love the Mediterranean – the climate, the food, the people – andI renewed my love affair with Greece in early May with a weeks walking holiday on Naxos, Paros and Santorini, Going out to a local taverna in the evening is as much a highlight for me as the walking.
I would love to come on your workshop next Spring so fingers crossed that it will run.
Wishing you every success.
Best wishes,
Helen Hargest
Stratford-upon-Avon
Dear Meredith and Robin, I would love to attend a workshop in spring of 2013 if it is after May 3rd. I know I could arrange for a group of 5-6 friends from Philadelphia. Please let me know it you would consider this. Leslie Purple
I was pleased to hear you are still considering a Spring cooking workshop and hope I am on the list. So very sad to hear about Angharad Rees, however this news brought back so many fond memories of Demelza.
[…] Cooking workshop […]
Hello,
I’d be interested in attending a Spring cooking workshop. Your recipes look delicious.
Hello Robin,
I would just like to wish you good luck for the workshop. You will be a great success I am sure. Hope we gets some pictures and recipes from it on here – please?
Thanks Sophie-Jane. Reminds me at the moment of first nights in the theatre. It’ll be a lot more enjoyable, Thursday, than those dreaded occasions.
I remember drying (forgetting the words) on the first night of Murder at the Vicarage at Salisbury Rep.(1965). I was the vicar and I was supposed to say grace at table. Simple you’d think–make something up, you’d think. Silence…!
Hello Robin,
My wife Marie and I are very much looking forward to the workshop in May. Reading some of the previous posts, it seems we may not be the only people coming from the Philadelphia area? …small world, this!
Philly seems to be featuring you are right, Chris! Two of the Bravehearts were also from Philadelphia. Looking forward to meeting you both in merry May…
Dear Ross, oops Robin, I was a kid growing up in the north central part of the US (Minnesota) when Poldark hit our tiny home. Since that time I have dreamed of visiting Cornwall and now this spring it is finally going to happen. I rented a cottage right next to Doyden Castle. OMG!!! I’m rewatching the series (for the hundredth time) and just ordered Making Poldark. Now I see this! OMG! Cooking class in Lautrec!! There are so many dreams to fulfill. Life is short…. I hope to be one of the lucky ones to someday experience this.
Hello Shelly and welcome! Wonderful time to go to Cornwall. You mentioning Doyden Castle brings back happy memories.
Dear Robin,
I am Shelly’s sister, Debra. We spent many Sundays waiting anxiously for tne next episode of Poldark. Shelly sent me the info about the workshop yesterday. It only took a few moments for me to say Absolutely to coming in October. I’m hopeful that there are still spots for the 4 of us!
Shelly and Debra–looking forward to meeting you in October! A few places remain on this autumn cooking holiday in southwestern France….
Robin, Can’t tell you how excited we are! I’m heading to Cornwall next week and its all because of YOU!
PS How many spots are open? We’ve been talking it up like crazy and no takers….yet!
So pleased youir second Cookery workshop was a success Robin. Thanks for posting Meredith’s lovely photographs for those of us not lucky enough to be there in person. One day perhaps…!
I am reading the itinerary with tears in my eyes. What a marvelous experience! Unfortunately, multiple sclerosis has rendered me wheelchair bound, so it is not to be for me. Truth be told, I would probably sit the whole while with my mouth hanging open, gaping at Robin, the matinee idol of my youth. lol But oh for the opportunity!! I wish all the participants a wonderful time and bon appetit!
me too! husband has ms and i have cfs and we have threeyoung children so moneys a tight but i would love to come to it, cooking and robin, what a dream combination! will have to start saving for one next year! need a caroline penvenen to lend me the money!
[…] Cooking workshop […]
I visit lakelandcam.co.uk daily, which often features pix of tarns, so I’m always surprised that Robin does his cooking in one. Guess that’s the French influence. 😉
Hello Tunnza! Not sure if you are joking… The Tarn in question is our department here in France–named after the river TARN.
Robin & Meredith,
I hope you both enjoy the holiday season. I wish you both heath and joy for the coming year and beyond. Have been away for awhile, and had a lot of catching up blog wise. I so love your description of your cat family. it brings tears to my eyes and, a smile to my lips. Thank you.
Sheila
Thanks Sheila–all the best to you too.
Robin i’ve just come in and so happy to know you better.. I was a child..when you were my Hero with Poldark. I am Italian, Napoletana and live in Rome close to Vatican.. I dream to visit you and why not.. being at cooking workshop. You are “simply fantastic” with italian recipe I adored your fish water crazy “all’acqua pazza”, my mom taught me. Sorry for my terrible english, I will try to improve it (?).. Love to you and wife from Saint Peter Square..
Baronessa (my friends call me in this way)
Buona sera, Baronessa! Mille grazie a Lei!
Also, just to let you know a place has opened up on the May cooking workshop, in case you are free. A woman named Paola is coming from Roma too to attend! So you’d have another Italian classmate!
simply Wonderful you are..Superb Italiano!!!!!
Dear Robin..I am fixing it.. who knows, I know for sure that it would be Amazing.. Grazie di cuore,( you do not need of translation..part our culture is yours). I am in love for your cooking, simple, molto italiano and Good!! You are an example how to love the Life..truly!! Have a nice Evening, Bonsoir à toi et à ta famille. I have a special Uncle (not by blood) who lives near to Toulose, he spent most of his live in Lourdes. Good choice, yours!! Bacio
Hi Robin, If you are thinking of having a cooking workshop in autumn of 2015 I would be very interested in signing up. I missed seeing you when you were on your book tour in Philadelphia. I was the one whose Dad had his birthday party that day. You sent a lovely note. I will be travelling during your earlier workshop and I really would like to experience your love of cooking in your environment. Maryanne Bowes
I remember, Maryanne. In principal–yes there will be a workshop, not sure if it’s bookable yet. Hope you’ll make it.
Really looking forward to it. Keep me posted. Thank you.
Hi, we now have 3 people interested in October 2015. If you could send along the paperwork I will get it together with them. Maryanne
Desperately need to get my girlfriend Lisa onto a course as a present – June 5-8, 2015 and the second September 25-28 will do – please keep me informed at mccartney998@btinternet.com – Bless x
Please sign me up for a schedule of the upcoming cooking classes. I am actually looking for one in Jan or Feb 20-5. But am interested in the upcoming ones as well. advance planning is essential. Many thanks. Diane Mayo. Mayohmdm@aol.com
The next in May I think is full, Diane. Please contact Meredith at meredithwheeler1@gmail.com
Big fan of Poldark and you. Just got the Making Poldark book! Hope to see you in France someday for the workshop. All the best! Savail Hussain, Lahore, Pakistan.
You’d be welcome, Savail.
[…] Cooking workshop […]
Tantalizing invitation. Beautiful setting. Gorgeous photos. How I’d love to be there! So envious of everything about your life in Castres and environs. Keep the stories and pictures coming.
Nancy,
Santa Fe, NM
Hi Robin Looking forward to the June 4-8th Cooking workshop booked today. Big surprise for my wife Wendy who , of course, is a great fan of Poldark. Cant wait to see her face when I tell her of our trip.
regards and thanks to Meredith for sorting our booking today
Grahame (and Wendy) Shepherd
I am so happy you and Wendy are coming–Bravehearts both! I look forward to meeting you and cooking up a storm. The weather should be gorgeous! A Juin, alors…
Warm regards to you both, Robin.
[…] beautiful B&B with local food (pink garlic), Museum and old Medieval Town surrounding. Or go to Robin cooking workshops and take one half day workshop in my Art […]
wish you did workshops in the Lake District – hope one day I could come out to France (young family)
One fine day!
Hi Robin, I can’t wait for the workshop in October. Just wanted to tell you that I’ve been using your cookbook when cooking for Dad who had his 91st birthday yesterday. He has type 1 diabetes and his doctor said his A1C is 7!! He is very happy about that. The doctor said he is now reached the age that has no diabetic research and to keep up whatever he is doing. I guess he is now the test case. Maybe I should just give the doctor a copy of your books!!! It has been great fun watching you make the rounds on Brit TV and appreciate you discussing your cooking and diabetes. Hopefully it raises some people’s awareness. It would be funny to think of it as a long term good effect of all of the Poldark hoopla!! Cheers. Maryanne
That is impressive, Maryanne–he is remarkable and so are you for understanding so well what to do.
Keep me posted and I look forwarded to meeting up in October.
May I share this with my publisher!
Absolutely. I’ll try to share the picture of him from my Facebook page that we took at his birthday lunch this year. He did very well and ordered a crab cake and his annual bloody mary.
Good to hear this–thanks, Maryanne.
[…] is runs Cooking Workshops in the Tarn. It sounds wonderful. Just 7 people spend 4 days with him discovering the local market […]
Hi Robin,
I would be interested to attend your Cooking Workshop. I am the chef at home and I was just informed that my wife is in a pre-diabetes phase. I would look forward to prepare wonderful recipes for us to help her to reverse that trend. Do you still have a place available for the autumn class? Regards. Rudi Jansen
Hi Rudi,
There is no place at the moment.
My books, though, are full of ideas and delicious things to cook.
It is so good that you are keen to help your wife with her pre-diabetes phase.
Very important.
Thanks for coming back to me, Robin. Will follow up on your advice.
Best Regards, Rudi
Thanks, Robin
I would like to add my name to the wait list. Might have to be for 2018 but that will be fine…just tell me what to do.
Best,
Gail Bowe
There are no dates for 2018, Gail. We are waiting to see how we feel after the break.
[…] Cooking workshops available and run twice yearly by English actor, Robin Ellis, of original Poldark fame […]
No longer doing them and the owners have sold the wonderful La Terrace, sadly.
I have tried so many times to sign up for your blog posts — never any success whatsoever. Am now trying to reach you this way, and hope it may be successful.
We are almost neighbours — I live in Lavaur!!!!
Thanks for persisting–don’t understand why you haven’t been able to sign up.
Robin,
Are you doing any workshops this year? Also would gluten free cookery pose a problem for you?
I love your cooking as shown on your blog and I have just bought your Mediterranean Cooking for Diabetics. I’m not diabetic, but probably am at risk. I just love your vegetable dishes, definitely my type of food.
Gillian Barlow
We don’t have any planned, Gillian.