Context, the organizer of scholar-led walking tours, announces the expansion of its culinary program in Paris, with three new cooking classes designed and led by food writers and local chefs.

Market to Market and Home Again takes visitors into the home of a Parisian chef to learn how to prepare a classic French meal. Structured as a half-day cooking class, the experience begins with a visit to a local neighborhood market where participants learn the basics of shopping for seasonal ingredients and then collaborate with the chef on the lunch menu. The group then repairs to the chef's home for a hands-on cooking class and demonstration that results in a three-course meal, accompanied with cheese, bread, and wine. Recipes vary by season.

At the same time, Context is also launching two other cooking experiences, specific in focus. Cafe Gourmand, a Parisian Dessert Trend introduces visitors to the emerging trend of miniature desserts in Paris. Also structured as a three-hour cooking class, participants in this activity learn how to prepare such delicacies as mini palmiers, fruit tartes, madeleines, and chocolate mousse, and also learn about how this trend has emerged and is influencing French sweets generally.

Champagne and Choux, the third offering, in contrast, teaches participants how to make “choux” pastry, the base for such classic French pastries as eclairs and profiteroles. Both classes end with a tasting of the various desserts and handing out of recipes, and are led by an experienced and acclaimed pastry chef with years of experience in Parisian restaurants.

“Food is critical to experiencing Paris,” says Lily Heise, manager of Context's programs in Paris. “With very small groups and the personal learning environment of our docent’s home, these classes build on our market tours, curated meals, and culinary history walks. We now have an amazingly rich and diverse offering in this city that can accommodate first time visitors who want to get a 'taste' of the city
and also serious foodies who are looking for deeper, more immersive experiences.”

Groups are limited to five people in all three classes. “To Market, to Market and Home Again” runs Tue, Thu-Sun at 9:30AM  (€215 per person), while “Cafe Gourmand, a Parisian Dessert Trend” and "Champagne and Choux" run Thursday to Tuesday afternoons at 2 pm (€145 per person ). Private groups can be scheduled upon request (€645 and €435 flat fee, respectively).

Context Travel is a network of English-speaking scholars and professionals, including art historians, writers, architects and gastronomes, who organize and lead “walking seminars” in twenty-one world cities, including: Florence, Rome, Venice, Naples, Paris, London, Edinburgh, Madrid, Barcelona, Berlin, New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Washington, D.C., Istanbul, Athens, Prague, Vienna, Budapest, Shanghai, and Beijing. A certified B Corporation, Context was named one of the fastest growing American companies in 2011 and 2012 by Inc Magazine. Travel + Leisure has called Context one of the top European tour companies for its innovative approach to travel and the depth of its programs.

All photos courtesy and copyright Context Travel