Chateaux Cuisine

16/10/2026

A little look behind the scenes at Chateaux Cuisine…

People often see the finished plates, beautifully laid tables and happy guests, but there's so much that goes on before an event even begins!

From the first conversations and planning to the shopping, preparation and occasionally dealing with the unexpected (including a rather memorable encounter with a hornets' nest!).

After more than 25 years working in hospitality, I still love what I do, and I thought it would be nice to share a little more about what goes into making each occasion special.

I've written a new blog about life behind the scenes, the work you don't always see and why every event means so much to me.

If you fancy a read, you can click on the link below 👇

Alicia x

What really goes into catering a special event? From the first conversation to the final service, I share the planning, preparation, personal touches and unexpected moments behind Chateaux Cuisine — and why every occasion means so much to me.

11/10/2026

A little taste of India from last night’s private dinner 🌶️

A completely vegetarian Indian feast for 10 guests, with everything made from scratch in my kitchen.

From hand-rolled samosas and vegetable nems to crispy cauliflower pakoras, fragrant curries, freshly made naan breads and homemade kulfi to finish.

Lots of preparation, plenty of spices and a kitchen smelling wonderful all day!

I really enjoy creating menus like this, especially when clients fancy something a little different from traditional private dining.

11/10/2026

Good morning everyone. I am looking for a Country Music band for my clients event next May/June. Does anyone know of anyone local? 🤠

07/10/2026

WHAT IF DINNER WAS ALREADY SORTED?

Alongside my winter private dining and events, I’m opening a limited number of dates for my Personal Meal-Prep Service.

This is completely bespoke. We’ll plan your menu around the food you love, your household and any dietary requirements. I’ll shop, cook, portion, label and deliver everything to you.

I can typically prepare 5–7 different dishes per booking, with portions tailored to your household – perfect for busy weeks, stocking the freezer or having family and friends to stay.

Everything is homemade from fresh, whole ingredients, with plenty of vegetables, good-quality proteins and no reliance on processed ready meals.

Think Beef Lasagne, Chicken Enchiladas, Chicken Tikka Masala, Beef Bourguignon, Cottage Pie, Fish Pie, Chicken & Leek Pie, slow-cooked Beef Ragu, Chicken & Chorizo Casserole or Pork & C***r Casserole.

Prefer meat-free? Lentil Lasagne with Spinach & Ricotta, Dhal, Sweet Potato & Bean Chilli, Aubergine Parmigiana and homemade vegetable curries are just a few ideas. Homemade soups can be included for easy lunches too.

Or tell me the family favourites and dishes you miss from home – your menu is yours!

Because everything is planned specifically for you, there’s less food waste too – no more forgotten vegetables slowly dying at the bottom of the fridge!

Meals come in ovenproof trays or reusable containers with full storage, freezing, reheating and serving instructions. Rice, pasta and other accompaniments can also be included.

PERSONAL MEAL-PREP SERVICE — €450 + ingredients

This includes your personalised menu planning, shopping, cooking, portioning, packing, labelling and delivery, plus my store-cupboard ingredients such as oils, stocks, herbs, spices and seasonings.

Delivery within 20 minutes of my base is included. Additional mileage may apply further afield.

WINTER LAUNCH OFFER
10% OFF YOUR FIRST MEAL-PREP SERVICE
Available to the first 10 clients to book — €405 + ingredients

LET ME KNOW YOUR FAVOURITES IN THE COMMENTS!

What dishes would you love to find waiting in your fridge or freezer?

And follow/share/like Châteaux Cuisine for seasonal menus, private dining, events and more of what I’m cooking here in France.

Alicia
Châteaux Cuisine

30/09/2026

🍽️ Celebrating at home?

Some of my favourite events over the last couple of years have been thank-you gatherings for artisans and tradespeople after the completion of a renovation.

After months – sometimes years! – of work, what better way to say thank you than bringing everyone back together to see the finished house, with plenty of good food and a few drinks 🥂

From relaxed apéro gatherings and grazing tables to generous buffets, private dining and fully staffed events, everything is created around your home, your guests and the occasion.

And you definitely don’t need to have finished a renovation to celebrate!

Birthdays • Anniversaries • Intimate weddings • Family gatherings • Retreats • Celebrations with friends

🍂 Autumn & winter 2026/27 bookings are now open, with a special little extra for qualifying events taking place November–March and booked by 31 October – complimentary seasonal canapés with your welcome drinks.

☀️ I’m also welcoming enquiries for spring & summer 2027.

Based near Bergerac and travelling throughout the Dordogne and surrounding areas.

📩 DM me or email
[email protected]

27/09/2026

Breakfast at the château… what are you choosing? 🥂

Eggs Benedict & Buck’s Fizz, a proper cooked breakfast, creamy porridge, fresh seasonal fruit, smoothies and juices, or something lighter to start the day?

When you’re staying somewhere special, food can be part of the whole experience — not just dinner.

For weddings, retreats, corporate stays, family celebrations and château holidays, Châteaux Cuisine can create a dining package around your stay. From relaxed breakfasts and brunches to lunches, apéritifs, BBQs and private dinners — choose as much or as little as you need.

And now the important question…

What’s your perfect breakfast?

🥂 Eggs Benedict & Buck’s Fizz
🍳 A proper cooked breakfast
🍓 Fresh fruit & something lighter
🥐 Coffee & warm pastries
🥣 Smoothie and porridge
🥑 Avocado & poached eggs

Or something else entirely? Tell me below 👇

Private dining • Weddings • Retreats • Corporate stays • Family celebrations
Dordogne & surrounding areas

26/08/2026

A completely bespoke vegetarian menu 🌿

Created for a private dinner here in the Dordogne, with one important brief — the entire menu was to be **vegetarian and completely gluten-free**.

I designed the evening around beautiful seasonal produce, sourcing locally wherever possible and creating a menu where nothing felt like a compromise.

✨ **Canapés**
Oyster mushroom mousse, herb oil & chives
Quail’s egg, cucumber & lemon-chive crème fraîche
Crispy tofu with honey & smoked paprika

🌿 **Starter**
Charred courgette, roasted figs, whipped feta, pickled cauliflower & red onion, baby leaves and a light honey & sherry vinegar dressing

🍆 **Main**
Pressed aubergine with mushrooms, crispy potato rösti, tomato confit, sugar nap peas, roasted tomato jus & basil oil

🧀 **Artisan cheese board**
A selection of cheeses with grapes, walnuts, fruit & preserves

🍮 **Dessert**
Vanilla crème brûlée with Armagnac roasted mirabelle plums

A lovely example of why I enjoy creating bespoke menus — working with a client’s preferences and dietary requirements while making the most of what’s in season.

Private dining • Dordogne & surrounding areas
Bespoke menus • Dietary requirements happily catered for

19/05/2026

At Chateaux Cuisine, the finest local produce is carefully selected for each client from our favourite markets and artisan suppliers across the Dordogne and southwest France — a region blessed with some of the best ingredients in the world.

15/05/2026

Golden confit canard • white bean cassoulet • braised endive • flavours of southwest France 🍷✨

14/05/2026

Mise en place for last night’s private dining experience near Saint-Émilion.
Extensive preparation completed ahead of arrival, allowing seamless setup and service on site.
Based near Bergerac, providing private dining experiences throughout the Bordeaux w**e region and beyond.

**etourism