The Canelé Atelier (The Gastronome Bordeaux)

The Canelé Atelier is a hands-on baking workshop run by The Gastronome Bordeaux in Bordeaux, in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of southwest France. The class teaches participants to make the canelé, the small fluted pastry with a dark caramelised crust and soft custard centre that is the signature sweet of Bordeaux, and also covers the Gâteau Basque, a traditional cake from the neighbouring Basque country. The workshop costs EUR 96 (about $110) per person and lasts about two and a half hours. It is scheduled on Saturdays from 4:00 to 6:30 pm between March and October, and is limited to eight guests, which allows individual attention from the instructor. It is taught in English. The programme is balanced entirely toward sweet baking, with the focus on batter preparation, resting, filling the moulds and baking techniques that give canelés their characteristic crust. Participants taste their creations and typically take part of the results home. Ingredients and equipment are provided as part of the class fee, while transport to the kitchen and any extra purchases are not included. For groups wanting their own session, private canelé classes start at EUR 510 (about $586) for groups of one to twelve people, which suits families, friends and corporate groups. Canelé batter contains eggs, milk, flour, vanilla and traditionally rum, and the Gâteau Basque contains butter and gluten, so visitors with dietary restrictions should contact The Gastronome Bordeaux before booking to ask whether adaptations are possible. The operator publishes its booking information on its own website, thegastronome.fr. The Saturday afternoon timing suits visitors who want a relaxed, creative activity that leaves the evening free, and the seasonal March to October schedule means winter visitors may need to arrange a private class.