"What a wonderful five days we've had spending time with you at this wonderful place. In the kitchen the two chefs make an awesome team. They seem to really enjoy doing what they do which makes it so motivating to be a guest here. The classes are very structured and they do such a great job of keeping us on task - then there is the amazing food & wine, and the lovely accommodation. I'm going away with such enthusiasm to practice my newly learned skills and work with the wonderful recipes. My home kitchen will never be the same! Thank you all, come visit.
Mary Carey
St George, ME, USA
How it all started
The Walnut Grove was established in 2003, by Chef Maynard, Chef Benedict, and Maynard's wife Freya. Having built up a succesful and well reputed business attracting clients from all over the world, Maynard and Freya are now handing over the reins to Chef Eric to continue the Walnut Grove.
The courses will now be offered at Eric's stunning rural retreat in the idyillic French countryside.
Your gourmet chefsMaynard Harvey
Prepare your mind and palette to be transported from the mundane, to an exciting exploration of flavour, smell and texture as you learn the art of French cooking from a world-renowned Chef.
Walnut Grove Cookery School is proud to announce Chef Eric Duvin as the new owner and head instructor of our well-respected cookery school in the French countryside. His passion for food and sharing his wealth of knowledge with others is what sets our gourmet cooking vacations apart from any other.
While you are fully immersed in our 5-day, hands-on course, you will be learning valuable techniques from professional chefs, all while being surrounded by the beauty of the Mayenne countryside. We provide extensive time in our state-of-the-art kitchens, and set a maximum of 6 guests per chef. This dedicated attention is a rare value, and results in our classes filling up quickly throughout the year.
In addition to the individualized instruction you receive, you’ll also be learning under the leadership of a well-respected Chef with more than 25 years in the culinary world.
At just 15-years-old, Chef Eric was training in Paris and qualified from a top catering school. He then spent 24 years in London, working as a Freelance and Private Chef. His impressive clientele includes His Grace the 11th Duke of Beaufort, the German Ambassador as well as Her Majesty the Queen and His Majesty the King of Jordan.
From intimate meals to elaborate celebrations, Chef Eric has been leading luxury dining experiences for an array of guests over more than 2 decades. His specialties range from Traditional French, to Modern European and Mediterranean Cuisine, as well as a variety of Asian styles.
Now, Chef Eric brings that same expertise and commitment for excellence to his work teaching others how to create their own culinary masterpieces. His style of teaching is professional, yet supportive and focused on having fun in the kitchen. Our goal at Walnut Grove is to create an atmosphere that is educational, while still being a relaxing retreat for our guests. We want everyone to feel the same excitement we have for exploring new possibilities through cooking.
One of the keys to success for our courses is the dedication we have to quality. Whether that be your stunning accommodations while you stay with us, or the exquisite produce we grow in the garden and use in our lessons. We believe when you learn to cook properly for yourself using nutritious ingredients, you lead a more fulfilling and healthier lifestyle. It is our joy to be able to show you how to do just that!
If you’re ready to fully immerse yourself into this life-changing experience, we invite you to join us at Walnut Grove Cookery School and discover how our one-of-a-kind cooking vacations will forever change your relationship with food. Feel free to email us at contact@thewalnutgrove.fr soon, as spots are limited and do book up quickly.
We look forward to creating incredible meals and memories with you here at the Walnut Grove very soon!