the sophisticated food presentations

Marlene and Tom were excellent hosts. The baking classes were amazing. I learned so much

The location was peaceful and beautiful, pastoral farm country surrounded by fields of sunflowers. The home is an idealic French country home full of charm. The food at each meal was delicious and artfully displayed. The classes were enriching, challenging, and so much fun. Marlene is a natural teacher and a joy to be around. Her care and generous spirit filled our week. She showed us the history of the region and taught us so much. I can’t say enough good things. Book this trip!!! I’ll definitely be booking another one!

Marlene was a fantastic host, sharing a lot of techniques and professional secrets. She is full of passion for good food and baking and managed to create an amazing atmosphere for all of us.

Marlene Is passionate about good food and produce, which is infectious. The cooking lessons are well planned and easy to follow. The location is so beautiful and serene. I can’t recommend Le Gargantua enough, look forward to going back.

Marlene and Tom were excellent hosts and went above and beyond my expectations to make our stay with them very special. Marlene is a pro in the kitchen and taught us many new things. Would love to stay with them again the the future!

The whole experience was fantastic!

I enjoyed the personalized instruction that Marlene was able to give each participant, due to the small class size. We learned a large variety of baking techniques and produced delicious and beautiful pastries. And her removated farmhouse added so much charm! It was also nice to visit nearby villages to learn about life in this part of France.

My 19-year-old daughter and I took Marlene’s 5-night patisserie course at La Gargantua. The experience delightfully exceeded our expectations. We were shown how to create some of the most complex French pastries, like croissants, millefeuille and éclairs, among others. We created everything from scratch, under the watchful eye and exceptional instruction of Marlene. Her passion for baking is infectious. She's clearly talented and dedicated to her business and family. She provides just the right amount of instruction, so you truly feel like you’re learning – she celebrates with you as you succeed and laughs with you when you don’t. Marlene’s courses are taught in a beautiful home environment, with a state-of-the-art kitchen, spacious dining and sitting area, as well as sleeping rooms that are both superbly decorated and comfortable. La Gargantua is also located in a gorgeous area of southern France, nestled alongside rolling hills, wheat fields and an ancient village. My daughter and I feel very lucky to have experienced one of Marlene’s courses, as we can now savor memories that will last a lifetime.

The course was about learning about the ingredients and their interactions with each other as well as with the environment. It was very educational. Actually creating the treats and having them come out looking and tasting good gave me a boost of confidence in my own abilities. I'm so excited to try them in my own kitchen.