How do i get to the Course?
Easyjet fly into Bergerac airport several times a week. From here, Jess will pick you up and drive you the 60 km to the front door. On your return you will also be dropped off.
Do I need to bring anything with me?
We provide everything you need for in the kitchen including aprons and a recipe file with all the recipes in it and more. However you will need the following items (bear in mind the luggage allowance if you are flying in on easyjet): Comfortable clothes, covered rubber soled shoes and walking shoes/ trainers and swimming stuff.
(There is a riding stables next door and we have a couple of bikes too, so make allowances for the clothes and things you might need to bring for this)
How old do I have to be to attend the course?
All are welcome, There is no minimum or maximum age.
What is the ratio of men to women?
This varies considerably.
When are the full fees due?
We will invoice you 8 weeks before the course and require the full fees 5 weeks before the start of the course.
Do you take complete beginners?
Absolutely. Many of our students have very little knowledge about cooking. Those with more experience however can gain a huge amount from the course.
Do we get to eat what we have cooked?
Yes. As the course is fully residential, you will sit down together as a group and eat everything you have cooked for both lunch and dinner. Breakfast is on a help yourself basis before teaching starts at 9.00am.
Do you have overseas students?
The majority of our students are British, however we get a good splattering of students from all over the world, including America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Northern Europeans.
Can you help me find a job after I have completed the course?
Country Pumpkins is a fairly new buisness but has a growing reputation amongst recruiting agencies. If you receive a good reference from the course, we will be very happy to guide you towards general recruitment agencies, ski agencies or yachting agencies.
Do most students share a room?
There are 2 twin rooms where students will share. the other rooms can be made into a single rooms depending on the number of students and their preferences. If you are a mature age student and would prefer to have a single room, please let us know early. We are limited to how many single rooms we can offer.
Do we cook on the weekends?
Because the course is just two weeks long, it is necessary to do some work on the weekends. However, Saturday mornings will be spent down in Riberac at the french open air market and Sunday will be a half day with students having the afternoon off before settling down to a Sunday roast prepared by Jess.
What time will we finish on the last day of the course?
On the last day, we have a buffet lunch, where each student gets to invite two people for a lovely chilled out lunch in the garden before departure.