EXPERIENCE
Terroir & Technique
Where Relaxation Meets Culinary Adventure
Where Relaxation Meets Culinary Adventure
This is not a class. It’s an invitation.
EXPERIENCE
Terroir & Technique is an immersive culinary retreat that brings together the pleasures of exceptional food, French tradition, and the art of joie de vivre – embracing life’s pleasures.
In France, terroir describes the unique relationship between soil, climate, sunlight, and “place” that gives food its distinctive character. It is also the philosophy behind these unforgettable retreats. Set in Chef Jacquy’s dreamy 18th-century farmhouse in the French countryside, guests will experience firsthand how the land, the seasons, and local traditions shape the way we cook and eat.
Chef Jacquy will share favorite recipes, culinary techniques, and pastry secrets gathered throughout his career, offering an intimate look at the craft behind exceptional food. Through hands-on instruction and engaging conversation, you’ll build confidence in the kitchen, master approachable pastry techniques, and take on recipes you may never have imagined you could create.
But Terroir & Techniques is about more than what happens in the kitchen. It is an invitation to slow down and savor the pleasures of the French countryside. Between culinary experiences, there is time to explore farmers’ markets, historic sites, charming medieval villages, and the rhythms of everyday French life.
Chef Jacquy will invite you to consider ingredients not simply as commodities, but as stories—of land, season, people, culture, and tradition. Each experience connects those stories to the techniques and traditions that bring them to life.
STEP INSIDE THE WORLD OF A TRUE MASTER
DECEMBER 2026
Jacquy’s winter gathering celebrates the Christmas season through an unforgettable hands-on culinary and baking retreat in his native region, Alsace.
Master authentic Alsatian holiday classics selected from The Art of French Pastry, The Art of French Tarts, and Jacquy’s favorite family recipes in this intimate retreat. Expect technical, yet approachable demonstrations, hands-on practice, insider tips drawn from his 50 years of professional kitchen experience, tastings, and recipes you’ll take home.
Beyond the kitchen, experience the warmth and hospitality of Alsace. Spend your afternoons leisurely exploring the famous Strasbourg Christmas market (named best in the world), quaint, historic villages, and an 11th century cathedral that defines the region’s rich history and culture.
This retreat will balance leisure with more than 20 workshop recipes spanning regional classics, holiday specialties, and savory favorites designed to develop a diverse range of culinary skills and techniques throughout the experience.
Spaces are limited to only 8 guests — reserve your place now to bake, taste and celebrate the true spirit of Alsace at the best time of year.
FALL 2026
If you have ever dreamed of perfecting French cuisine and pastry where it was born, under the mentorship of a pastry world champion, at his farmhouse in Southwestern France … This is your opportunity to learn from a master while enjoying the simple pleasures of French countryside life. You’ll take in breathtaking landscapes and the simple pleasures that make this region so special.
As the hands-on class unwinds, you’ll linger over the apéro hour before the evening meal. Then, guests will gather around the table for a cozy evening chatting around delicious food with a glass of local wine.
Hosted in Chef Jacquy’s private 200-year-old farmhouse, this intimate experience welcomes just eight food enthusiasts and devoted Francophiles. More than a demonstration, it is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for true immersion and hands-on mastery. Learn alongside one of the world’s most respected pastry artisans in a setting where tradition, technique, and craftsmanship are woven into every experience.
With more than 25 workshop recipes from The Art of French Pastry and The Art of French Tarts, you’ll develop a diverse range of culinary skills and techniques, including breakfast pastries, quiches, chocolate and fruit desserts, savory brioche galettes, and more.
This is transmission — of knowledge, of discipline, of passion.
For serious pastry enthusiasts and devoted Francophiles, this is an opportunity to step beyond demonstration and into mastery — guided by one of the world’s most respected artisans.
If you have ever dreamed of perfecting French pastry where it was born, under the mentorship of a world champion, at a farmhouse table in Southwest France…
Your seat at the table awaits.
Mornings begin with cafe au lait, croissants, and brioche. Then it is kitchen time, working alongside Chef Jacquy. Each session builds from the fundamentals, guiding you through essential techniques before progressing to timeless pastry classics.
Afternoons unfold into the French art de vivre with visits to local markets, vineyards, and regional producers meant for engaging conversations on how terroir shapes flavor, culture, and craft. Here, ingredients are not commodities; they are stories of land, season, people, and tradition.
Evenings are intimate and convivial with shared meals and local wines. It’s a time reserved for the kind of exchanges that happen only when eight passionate guests gather around the table to share the day’s experiences.
I’m excited to announce an exclusive Founders’ Circle opportunity for the first eight participants who register for any 2026 retreat cohort. This special membership recognizes those helping to launch this new experience.
To claim the benefit, enter promo code Founders2026 during registration.
