Food & Travel
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Baking Croissants at La Cuisine Paris
How much more Parisian can you get than baking croissants in Paris? Well, perhaps Discovering the Secrets of Macarons would do it but I think it’s a pretty close race. Having already mastered macarons, I decided it was time to move on to the buttery, golden viennoiseries – pastries. So on a hot, sunny day in May, I made my way to the charming French cooking school, La Cuisine Paris, to attend their ‘Le Croissant and Breakfast Pastries‘ class. Tucked in behind Paris’ stunning Hôtel de Ville – City Hall – on la Rive Droite – the Right Bank – of the Seine, La Cuisine Paris offers a wonderful selection…
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The Rolling Pin: Deluxe Donuts Plus!
Nestled among a row of vintage storefronts, at the top of Toronto‘s Avenue Road, sits The Rolling Pin. Step inside this delightful bakery and the retro theme continues. For just beyond the entrance you are greeted by Ruby G – their colourful and sassy logo. Ruby G’s bright red apron sets the tone for both floors of this charming shop, which are highlighted by sparkling red, subway-tile back-splashes, blackboards and vintage prints. She also reflects the personalities of partners and co-owners, Isabel Loiacono and Vanessa Baudanza . These two passionate bakers first met at the Bonnie Gordon College of Confectionery Arts where Isabel was Vanessa’s instructor. They hit it off so well…
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Galler: A Belgian Chocolate Factory Outlet
I could smell the chocolate before we even opened the door. Its luscious scent wafted around us as we approached the entrance of the Galler Chocolatiers Factory Outlet. It gently guided us inside, we willing participants in this little shopping spree. My companions and I had just finished a week-long rowing tour of northern France and southern Belgium. And now we were being shuttled by one of their fathers to his home in Liège. Here we would spend the night before going our separate ways. But first, it was time to partake in what I gathered was somewhat of a local family tradition: chocolate shopping at the Galler factory outlet.…
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Hôtel Dieu: A Secret Parisian Garden
In the heart of Paris, a stone’s throw from one of its greatest attractions, lies a secret garden. Located on Place Jean Paul II, in the shadow of the majestic Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris, and under the watchful eyes of her gargoyles, sits Paris‘ Hôtel-Dieu – Hospital. And within its walls, the most wonderful courtyard and garden reveal themselves to you. In the Shadow of Notre-Dame The great thing is that, despite the square outside usually being full of tourists, the unassuming entrance of Hôtel-Dieu means that very few venture in to visit it. This leaves this fantastic building and its secret garden both a very convenient and very quiet…
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Château Fort de Sedan: A Torchlight Tour
High on a hill overlooking the historic town of Sedan, France, sits the largest fortified castle in Europe: Château Fort de Sedan. And I had the great fortune to not only tour it, but to do so by torchlight! Intrepid Explorers This adventure was one of several that I experienced while on a rowing tour of the Meuse river last summer. It was a warm Friday evening in July and our group of 80 had just met over an introductory dinner. And now we were at the château, torches in hand, setting out like medieval warriors ready to conquer its secrets. A History of Growth A castle was first…
