‘A Tale of Two Cooks’

BY ROBIN DUNIPACE & MARIE-AUDE KONÉ

This Blog continues from our October Blog “Gascon Food”, which was a general summary of current cooking activity in Gascony. This month we will look at the cooking ideas and plans for 2024 of two excellent local cooks who are both Working Partners of Simply Gascony:

LAURA WASHBURN

Atelier Cuisine Fourcès

DOUNIA SILEM

Doo-Eat

Below, in their own words, Dounia and Laura share with us their thoughts and plans for next year. It is fascinating to see the similarities and differences in their separate approaches to Gascon cuisine.

Both Laura and Dounia have cooked very successfully for Simply Gascony holiday house parties in 2023 – so this could be an idea for your holiday in 2024?

LAURA SAYS:

In 2024, I will be looking forward to another season of hosting French Market Tours and Cooking workshops here in the Southwest France.

Starting in late April, it will be time once again to join me on a wander through the local markets of Gascony to learn about seasonal produce, artisanal cheese and regional specialties here in Le Gers. I work with producers who are always happy to share the stories—and often a recipe or two— behind their products.

Atelier Cuisine Fourcès cooking classes take place in my home kitchen in the charming medieval village of Fourcès, one of the ‘Plus Beaux Villages de la France’. There are many village festivities throughout the season, such as the Flower Market, the Ceramic Market and, last but not least, the monthly Brocante (antiques market) held the second Sunday of every month. I run special workshops on Brocante Sundays, so do get in touch if a day of shopping for vintage French treasures and cooking with me sounds like the perfect combination of holiday activities!

For Simply Gascony’s holiday guests, I offer bespoke tours and cooking workshops so do please get in touch once your booking has been confirmed and we can plan the perfect gastronomic experience for your holiday. There is no better way to get to know an area than by buying, cooking and eating the fresh local produce using traditional and new recipes.

To learn more about me, please see my website and be sure to sign up to the newsletter, both for a ‘taste’ of France via email every month, and to stay up to date with the news of workshops and tours.

https://ateliercuisinefources.com/

DOUNIA SAYS:

I have lived in Gers-en-Gascogne for only a year and I am delighted with the welcome I have been given and by the enthusiasm for my cooking - because it is my job, my passion and it is at the heart of my daily life.

I have had the opportunity to offer my services as a home chef to numerous private and public clients, meeting their expectations, which are quite greedy given the gastronomic riches of the area! It was a pleasure for me to use the iconic products of our magnificent region and to work in the Gascon culinary tradition. I also offer some “fusion” recipes where my Mediterranean and Northern French origins mix with, and bring the extra touch to, Gascon cuisine without losing this local identity.

I will continue with this approach in 2024, to seek out quality local producers and products, unearth other treasures, other ingredients that I can use in my recipes. and to serve your tables.

I am very excited at the idea of the new encounters that these shared gourmet moments will generate. Whether for local customers, French or foreign tourists, ultimately, it’s all about travel, sharing and conviviality.

I also hope to bring this sharing to you soon through cooking workshops and immersion courses. Theoretical, technical learning and of course practice will take you on a discovery of our local delicacies, from their history to their manufacture, from their origin to their tasting. My cooking will be truly focused on local, seasonal, 100% homemade and if possible organic ingredients so that I can provide you with a rich, authentic, and sincere experience.

Now that I am a Working Partner of Simply Gascony, I look forward to working with their rental guests as well, and I very much hope to take you on this adventure very soon!