Noel and his lovely wife Amandine live in a home near Vence, on the outskirts of Nice. For Noel, cooking is life! Noel is a warm and jovial host passionate about cooking and eating - but what brings him the most joy is sharing food with people. Noel studied culinary arts at the Paul Valéry hotel school in Menton as well as at other establishments on the Côte d'Azur. He is a personal chef and caters events on the French Riviera. Noel is delighted to share his secrets of Southern French cooking with guests at his home in Vence, a small town located a 30-min drive from Nice.
Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.
Cooking experience: (3-20 guests) Meet your host, Chef Noel, at his home in Vence, a charming town near Nice on the French Riviera. His welcoming home features two terraces overlooking the surrounding mountains. Begin with a refreshing drink as Noel shares stories about life in the South of France before heading into the kitchen for your private, hands-on French cooking class. During your cooking class near Nice, learn to prepare an authentic three-course Southern French and Mediterranean meal using seasonal ingredients. Noel sources fresh, local produce from farmers markets whenever possible and will introduce you to the flavors, ingredients and cooking techniques that define Provençal and Niçoise cuisine. Together, you will prepare a starter, main course and dessert while learning practical French cooking tips and techniques you can recreate at home. Your seasonal menu may include dishes such as pissaladière, a traditional Niçoise caramelized onion tart, followed by petits farcis, a Nice specialty of vegetables stuffed with meat, cheese and herbs, served with local wine. For dessert, you might prepare a sweet featuring the famous lemons of nearby Menton or tourte aux blettes, a traditional Niçoise tart. After cooking, sit down with Noel to enjoy the fresh, seasonal meal you helped prepare while taking in the relaxed atmosphere of his French Riviera home.
Notes: Vegetarian, vegan, lactose-free and gluten-free menus can be accommodated. Please share your dietary requirements at the time of booking so Chef Noel can customize the menu and prepare accordingly.
Languages spoken: English, French
My family of four (my husband, 2 adult children of 26 and 29 and me) loved preparing our dinner with Chef Noel at his home. Not only was it fun to learn the cooking techniques with Chef Noel, my entire family enjoyed visiting with him as we prepped. At the end, we savored the cold melon soup with chickpea frites, ratatouille topped with chicken sous vide stuffed with lemon confit and basil, handmade gnocchi, and raspberry macaroons with dark chocolate ganache. It was a memorable experience that was a highlight of our time in Nice. 5+⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!!!- kathi July 11, 2026
This was an incredible experience all around! Chef Noel welcomed us all into his own with open arms. There was 11 of us, including one vegetarian and seven children, and he was beyond kind and welcoming to all. He guided us through every step and made sure everyone knew their roles. It was fun, welcoming, and enjoyable for everyone. Despite our lack of experience, our meal was delicious. Thanks to his guidance. This is something we will never forget as a family! Thank you, Chef Noel!- tammy June 29, 2026
Noel is an excellent chef, host and teacher. He kept us busy as we prepared a delicious 4 course meal. I would recommend this experience for anyone looking for a French cooking class- daniel June 22, 2026
My clients requested a chef for their villa & so I reached out to Traveling Spoon to see if this was something they could arrange, since they had experiences listed for Nice France area. It's not something that they normally do, but they were delighted to assist!! Sometimes we just have to ask!! Noel came to the Villa and prepared a wonderful pre arranged menu for 10 adults. Very easy booking & payment process and Traveling Spoon is ALWAYS great to work with!!!- Susie, Signature Travel Advisor June 13, 2026
We LOVED this experience! The view was incredible, our chef so kind and knowledgeable, and the food was delicious.- jamie May 29, 2026
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