Our dear friend JC was arriving from Brussels at 2, it will be so wonderful to meet face to face after such a long time. We caught up on what had to be done at home and I put a dish of chicken, olives and white wine in the oven to simmer away for a few hours. We would be late home tonight so it would be nice to arrive home to a dinner that just needed a gentle warming.
We saw him as soon as he stepped off the train with his smile big enough to light up all of Beaune. We jumped into the car and headed for Dijon, my cooking class at l'Atelier des Chefs was to begin at 3.30, we bade JC farewell in the centre ville and JR and I headed to class.
The class was based on three crumble recipies, we peeled and prepared artichokes, butterflied chicken breasts, sliced and diced, until all three courses were complete and plated up. We cooked tuna, mango and lime with a parmesan crumble, chicken and artichoke with a foie gras crumble and coconut, rhubarb and strawberry crumble - all were delicious, the chicken needed a little pizzaz but otherwise everything was visually appealing and very tasty. Chef was lovely, everyone liked him, the class was calm and relazing. JR shot the whole class and had a ball doing so.
We met up with JC at 7, he had enjoyed Dijon. We took him to the owl at Notre-Dame to rub and make a wish and told him it was tradition to kiss it - it isn't, and, he did, with onlookers laughing.
We headed home to Beaune, stopping along the way in magic hour to capture the sexy light. I have no hope with two mad photographers in the car!
We all sat outside by the pool and enjoyed catching up and getting to know each other, and the chicken I had cooked this morning, one of AJ's favourites. JC had brought JR a few Belgian beers - he liked them and I think they packed a punch. I was spoiled with a gift of Belgian truffles which we enjoyed late in the night after a course of fromage. I think I have fallen in love with the washed rind cheese we bought from Friar Raphael at the Abbaye yesterday, we may have to return for more. The truffles were oober smooth and delicately flavoured with cafe, cognac, tiramisu - I think the champagne and Belgian butter were my favourite. The shop is only minutes walk from JC's apartment where we will live during our December exchange so it should be a satisfying and fulfilling month for me!
Great to have you here JC!
