Culinary Weekend with Ritchie Stainsby
Open-fire Cooking Masterclass & Gin Tasting
June 9th – 12th 2026
Culinary Weekend with Ritchie Stainsby
Open-fire Cooking Masterclass & Gin TastingJune 9th – 12th 2026
Join us for one of our exclusive gastronomic experiences in the heart of Southwest France, our Culinary Weekends, hosted by Masterchef: The Professionals finalist Ritchie Stainsby. After the success of our Culinary Weekend with Ritchie in June 2025 we’re coming back again in 2026 bigger and better! We’re hosting 2 separate events over 8 days – one with a pizza making masterclass and cognac tour & tasting, and the other with an open fire cooking masterclass and gin tour & tasting.
This page is for weekend 2 with a masterclass in open-fire cooking and a tour & tasting at a local artisan gin distillery. Details about our first event with a pizza-making masterclass and a cognac tour & tasting can be found HERE – the choice is yours, or book both for the ultimate gastronomic extravaganza!
Whichever event you choose, you can unwind over a long weekend in a luxury retreat in southwest France and enjoy a 12-course tasting menu as well as 4 other meals cooked by the award-winning plant-based chef! The meals will be served in a beautiful courtyard overlooking sunflower fields and vineyards, watching the sun go down with delicious local wines.
As well as dining on some of the best vegan food around, you will have the chance to learn how to cook it too, with Ritchie hosting an intimate masterclass in open-fire cooking; charring, smoking, and grilling seasonal veg to perfection, all while layering flavours with house-made glazes, infused oils, and rich compound butters, it will all be covered!
Set against the picturesque backdrop of The Charente, this immersive experience is perfect for food lovers, and you’ll get the chance to sample local cognacs and Pineau des Charente (a local apéritif made from cognac and grape juice) as well as gin from the tour in cocktails made by Ritchie’s wife Lauren, or shake up your own!
Join us for an unforgettable culinary adventure on this one-of-a-kind foodie weekend!
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What’s included in our vegan culinary weekend:
3 nights full-board stay in luxury accommodation with full use of gardens & swimming pool
12 course vegan tasting menu cooked by Masterchef The Professionals finalist Ritchie Stainsby
4 other delicious meals including brunch, small plates, and lunch cooked by Ritchie
A vegan cooking masterclass with Ritchie Stainsby covering all aspects of open-fire cooking & BBQ
Cocktail making masterclass with Lauren Stainsby using local cognacs, gins, & Pineau de Charente
Excursion to a tour & tasting at a local gin producer
Weekend itinerary
Day 1
Arrive, relax, and have dinner cooked by Ritchie – sharing plates of deliciousness!
You can arrive any time in the afternoon/early evening, settle in, and use the pool while Ritchie prepares dinner for you. A wonderful dinner will be served in the courtyard with lots of different sharing plates. Wine will be flowing while you all get to know each other.
Day 2
Brunch cooked by Ritchie – the perfect start to the day, a delicious brunch cooked by Ritchie.
Travel to Cognac for a chateau gin distillery tour and tasting! – We take you to France’s first craft gin house, situated in an absolutely stunning chateau. The tour is fascinating and is beautiful walking around the breathtaking chateau before tasting the exceptional gins in their stunning orangery.
Picnic lunch in the stunning Cognac City Gardens – enjoy a plentiful plant-based picnic sat in the exceptional surroundings of the manicured park.
The big 12 course tasting menu*! – dress up for an evening of decadence with a menu curated using local, seasonal ingredients, cooked in the most imaginative ways. Starting with a cocktail, then the wine will be flowing all evening long to accompany the tasting menu.
*it will be a totally different menu to the first culinary weekend for anyone staying for both events.
Day 3
Breakfast cooked by Jen & Nick from La Cour de Husson – Homemade sweet & savoury breakfast treats served in the courtyard.
Relax around the pool – Free time to enjoy the beautiful pool, hammocks, and gardens.
Open-fire cooking masterclass, followed by BBQ lunch –Want to impress your mates and show them that a plant-based BBQ can be insanely delicious?! Ritchie will teach you the tricks of the trade, using some excellent local ingredients, including mushrooms from the village farm. Then relax and enjoy eating the BBQ for lunch.
Free time/pool time
Cocktail masterclass with Lauren – Ritchie’s wife, who ran the restaurant with him for many years is also a mixologist, so will be showing you a French twist on some delicious cocktail classics, and of course, you get to drink them too!
Dinner – small plates by Ritchie – another fabulous evening of dining ahead. Ritchie unleashes his creativity again on lots more fabulous plant-based dishes, all accompanied with local wines.
Day 4
Breakfast cooked by Jen & Nick – a feast of sweet & savoury delights, including homemade pastries to set you up before your on-going travel.
Time to depart – Following a relaxed breakfast, we say our goodbyes, though we hope it’s only an à bientôt until we meet again on another culinary holiday in France!
For the food lovers...
There is an option to book both culinary events. Book to stay on our first event and then stay for 2 nights between them on a room-only basis (Sunday 7th & Monday 8th) for €100pp per night.
Or, if you’d like to explore, take the opportunity to visit another local area – we can help with ideas, perhaps a couple of nights on the coast (you can drive to La Rochelle and Île de Re etc. in around 2 hours).
Details about the first culinary weekend can be found HERE.
Ritchie Stainsby, your chef for the weekend
Ritchie Stainsby is a self-taught chef whose passion for plant-based cuisine has redefined vegan dining in the UK. With no formal culinary training, Ritchie honed his skills through relentless experimentation, guided by a deep commitment to sustainability and ethical food practices.
Driven by his mission to challenge perceptions of vegan food, Ritchie’s creations combine bold flavours, intricate techniques, and locally sourced ingredients. His goal is to make plant-based dining not just accessible, but exceptional.
As head chef at his award-winning Nottingham restaurant, No. Twelve, Ritchie continues to push the boundaries of what plant-based cuisine can offer. His commitment to sustainability and creativity has earned the restaurant four consecutive Good Food Awards UK from 2022 to 2025, cementing its place as a leader in the plant-based dining scene.
Having reached the finals in MasterChef: The Professionals, Ritchie is venturing out of his restaurant to explore the world and provide his food further afield.
“This is one of those dishes that can change minds. This is the best vegan dish I’ve ever eaten.”
William Sitwell, restaurant critic The Telegraph
“One of the hardest things to impress people is plant-based cookery. You’ve got beautiful little elements singing all the way through this. Very very good indeed.”
Marcus Wareing, chef & restauranteur
“You don’t see cooking like this very often”
Grace Dent, restaurant critic The Guardian
“Ingenious”
William Sitwell, restaurant critic The Telegraph
“Real technical proficiency”
Jimmy Famurewa, restaurant critic
Take part in a vegan masterclass with Ritchie Stainsby
Spend a morning with Ritchie with a hands-on masterclass dedicated to the bold and beautiful world of open-fire vegetable cooking. Learn to harness the power of hot coals as you explore classic BBQ techniques—no meat in sight. You’ll master the art of charring, smoking, and grilling seasonal veg to perfection, all while layering flavours with house-made glazes, infused oils, and rich compound butters.
From blistered brassicas to smoky skewers and ember-roasted roots, this session will leave you inspired to take your vegetable game to the next level—fiery, flavour-packed, and totally plant-based. No gas. No shortcuts. Just flames, flavour, and vegetables that speak for themselves. Plus, whilst you’re learning, Ritchie will be preparing your lunch to eat in the grounds of La Cour de Husson.
During the masterclass you will learn:
Controlling the flames and heat to cook food to perfection.
Using the best fresh local vegetables to rival any meat-based BBQ but totally plant-based.
Employing a range of techniques from charring to smoking to elevate veg to totally new heights.
Utilising glazes, infused oils, and compound butters, all made with local ingredients to take things to the next level.
Accommodation
La Cour de Husson is nestled in the beautiful rolling fields and cognac vineyards of The Charente. Guests will stay in two newly renovated self-contained gîtes (holiday cottages). There are a mix of king, super king, double, and twin rooms to choose from. Please see the prices section for more details on room setup.
The Gardens
The Rooms
Prices
Double Room
€890
€1780 per room based on 2 people sharing a double room
Shared bathroom
Must be booked for 2 people
Twin Room
€890
Bring a friend or partner to share this room with an en-suite
En-suite bathroom
Must be booked for 2 people
Single Room
€990
Have a double room to yourself
Shared bathroom
Reserve your place
To give you the most flexibility, you can choose to either pay in full or a pay a deposit of €200pp now and the remainder in 2 installments*.
Please select from the options below on how you would like to pay.
*After the deposit, the 2 installments will be due on the 1st of February 2026 & 9th of April 2026 respectively. 50% of the remainder per installment.
FAQs
Do I have to be vegan to come?
Absolutely not! The weekend is open to everyone to enjoy the delights of plant-based cuisine.
How do I get there?
Depending on where you’re traveling from you can fly into the following airports:
Poitiers – 50 minute drive
Limoges – 1 hour 20 minute drive
La Rochelle – 1 hour 45 minute drive
Bordeaux – 2 hours drive
If you are travelling by train our local main station is Angoulême (there are direct trains to Paris & Bordeaux from here)
You can pick up car hire from all of the airports and train stations as there is no public transport beyond these locations.
Travel between the airport and the accommodation is the responsibility of the guest but we will be doing 1 transfer to and from Poitiers airport on Friday and Sunday on flights FR 2479 & FR 2480 – Please get in touch with us for details and costs.
During the weekend transport is included to the cognac tasting and any other planned excursions.
Can I extend my trip beyond the weekend?
If you wanted to come a day earlier or leave a day later, the price for extending your stay would be €100 per person per night, room only.
What do I have to bring with me?
Just yourselves. All the ingredients and equipment for the masterclass will be provided.
Can I eat all the things that I make?
Yes, absoluteley! After the masterclass you’ll be able to enjoy the dishes that you have created for your lunch.
Will all the meals be vegan?
Yes, all the food provided will be vegan. Please let us know in advance of any food allergies or things we need to be aware of.
Do I have to be vegan to come?
Absolutely not! The weekend is open to everyone to enjoy the delights of plant-based cuisine.
How do I get there?
Depending on where you’re traveling from you can fly into the following airports:
Poitiers – 50 minute drive
Limoges – 1 hour 20 minute drive
La Rochelle – 1 hour 45 minute drive
Bordeaux – 2 hours drive
If you are travelling by train our local main station is Angoulême (there are direct trains to Paris & Bordeaux from here)
You can pick up car hire from all of the airports and train stations as there is no public transport beyond these locations.
Travel between the airport and the accommodation is the responsibility of the guest but we will be doing 1 transfer to and from Poitiers airport on Friday and Sunday on flights FR 2479 & FR 2480 – Please get in touch with us for details and costs.
During the weekend transport is included to the cognac tasting and any other planned excursions.
Can I extend my trip beyond the weekend?
If you wanted to come a day earlier or leave a day later, the price for extending your stay would be €100 per person per night, room only.
What do I have to bring with me?
Just yourselves. All the ingredients and equipment for the masterclass will be provided.
Can I eat all the things that I make?
Yes, absoluteley! After the masterclass you’ll be able to enjoy the dishes that you have created for your lunch.
Will all the meals be vegan?
Yes, all the food provided will be vegan. Please let us know in advance of any food allergies or things we need to be aware of.
At La Cour de Husson you’ll find everything you could wish for—and much more. Hosts Jen and Nick are not only highly professional but also incredibly warm and attentive. From arrival to departure we were looked after in their stunning, eco-friendly estate. Natural materials are used throughout, the furniture is carefully chosen, the bedlinen is crisp cotton, and the mattresses are very comfortable.
The vegan food was delicious, made with top-quality ingredients and served in a beautiful, private setting. On warm evenings dinner was served outdoors beneath a sky full of stars. We attended an art retreat led by the renowned artist Carne Griffith, held in an open barn set in the expansive garden beside the swimming pool.
The surrounding countryside is wonderfully peaceful—perfect for a restful night’s sleep—and during the day you can enjoy long walks through the sunflower fields. I highly recommend La Cour de Husson for an exceptional stay. We plan to return soon.
Thank you, Jen and Nick, for a truly memorable experience!
The gites are a delight, tastefully decorated and full of charm. The vegan and gluten free food they prepared for our stay (art retreat) was delicious. I am looking forward to returning soon.
The welcome guide has lots of ideas for exploring the area and we enjoyed wandering around local villages and spending lots of time at the nearby river as well as a day trip to the coast.
As well as the included breakfasts we also arranged an evening meal and a picnic. All the meals were delicious and beautifully presented and really added to the overall experience. This was such a great option for a vegan holiday in the area, some lovely meals included, simple self catering in a very well supplied kitchen and lots of suggestions for eating out. Jen and Nick are such kind and welcoming hosts who provided lots of helpful suggestions. They have created a wonderful vegan experience that feels super relaxing and luxurious. I can't stop thinking about it and when we can go back!
The accommodation was beautiful, nestled in gentle sunflower and chickpea fields, with a lovely pool to cool off in under the warm sun. My gite was tasteful and spacious, and very stylish.
Ritchie's food was exceptional, with eight-course vegan tasting menus each evening, crafted with such skill and creativity, accompanied by flowing wine that brought everyone together in laughter and conversation. The cognac cocktails were the perfect touch to warm up our taste buds.
The other people on the course were so friendly and good fun, it felt like a gathering of old friends by the end. Everything was organised seamlessly, leaving me feeling inspired and like a right fatty fatty.
I look forward to returning.
I have not had the opportunity to stay with them but the friendly and honest reactions in our communications for sure makes me even more see the Cour de Husson with my own eyes.
Everything about our stay was perfect. The interior is beautifully designed and well thought through. The bedrooms and communal areas are modern without sacrificing a homely feeling. You can tell the hosts have poured their hearts into renovating the gîtes to an exemplary standard.
The rest of the property is equally stunning, with a lovely pool area as well as a cosy covered area lit by fairy lights.
The food was absolutely exquisite - every meal featured a beautiful and generous selection of inventive dishes using fresh ingredients, many of which were sourced from the neighbouring area. So not only are Jen and Nick the friendliest hosts you could wish for, but they are incredibly talented in the kitchen too.
We spent much of our trip plotting our return - we can't wait to come back with our families to show off this gem we are so pleased to have discovered.
home, days spent by the pool, epic scenery, even the weather was perfect. And homemade vegan ice cream, come on! Jen and Nick are super hosts and went above and beyond to help us have the best, most relaxed time. We are vegan gîte converts now and we're already counting the days until we return. Merci pour tout!
The grounds and house is absolutely stunning, with a huge garden, great pool, BBQ etc and set in lovely fields. Very quiet, relaxing area but with plenty to do nearby. The hosts are super nice and accommodating. The vegan breakfast was a highlight also.
Loved our stay there and would certainly come again.
I was personally after a trip where I was able to switch off and relax, but also be able to explore a bit of this fairytale part of France - and this stay really delivered! We were able to find real peace chilling out in the gîte, but also enjoyed fun days out cognac tasting, exploring local towns, eating cake in local villages, going for evening walks through the fields and even visited some historical sites and museums (thanks to Jen & Nick's amazing recommendations!) I honestly barely had to use my brain the whole time - and had no idea how much I needed that!
I cannot recommend La Cour de Husson enough - and can't thank Jen & Nick enough for being such brilliant hosts. We will absolutely be back!
Thank you for the best stay- we will 100% be returning!
Although Jen & Nick were around if needed it was such a private little haven, honestly I could have just stayed there the whole time and been extremely happy! I read on my private terrace for hours with a beautiful local wine that my lovely hosts suggested I try. However, there are some lovely places to see nearby and there is a book of things you can do too in the gite which I found really handy.
The vegan breakfast was also divine!! It was so delicious, among other things I tried Jens vegan cinnamon buns. For all my fellow vegans out there, just come for those alone! Next time I also want to try the vegan picnic hamper that you can organise via the hosts too.
Without a doubt I will definitely be coming back here again. I felt so comfortable and at home, and there is still so much I would like to do. I genuinely feel like I had a luxury break away from the madness of London.
Thank you so much to Jen & Nick, I hope to see you again next year!!
The surroundings are beautiful and lovely towns and villages to go to.
Jen and Nick made our holiday unforgettable, for so many reasons. And we also love the vegan life.
We hope to visit them again and enjoy everything they have to offer.
And the swimming pool is the best we had in years.
Nick & Jane are high-quality hosts who go out of their way to offer you a very high standard of stay (special mention for vegans, who will appreciate the efforts of adapted breakfasts).
The lodgings are extremely comfortable, perfectly equipped, and decorated with great taste, in a rustic and modern mix which totally preserves the authenticity of the atmosphere.
The place is in a hamlet which adjoins a medieval village with many shops (including a very practical grocery store / tobacconist), and 10 minutes from a town which offers all amenities.
The ideal place to visit a region that never ceases to surprise us, for its tranquility, its immediate nature, its historical heritage and even its proximity to the ocean!
Thanks again !
Nestled between cognac vines and sunflower fields is a beautiful relaxing place. La Cour de Hudson. Our hosts welcomed us with a delicious vegan dinner and couldn’t have been more welcoming.
The gite is surrounded by local markets and farm shops. A treasure trove for a foodie like me.
The accommodation itself is sparkling; beautifully decorated and every night was like sleeping in cotton wool. We couldn’t have asked for more than an everyday refreshing swim in the clear blue pool before drinks in the courtyard.
Nick and Jen were perfect hosts and knew best recommendations.
I’ll definitely be returning !
Nic and Jen went above and beyond to make our stay perfect !
Will definitely be returning
The Gite is stylish, tasteful, and simple yet chic, with every convenience. I even had my own private little courtyard - perfect for coffee and croissant in the mornings after a sublime morning dip in the crescent shaped pool!
The wonderfully comfortable beds with gorgeous crisp, white linen ensured a great nights sleep in this haven of peace and tranquility.
Jen and Nick are lovely: perfect hosts, discrete yet on hand when needed. They have done an amazing job of bringing this wonderful old building back to life.
Thank you for a really enjoyable stay!
Top tip: try the delicious vegan breakfast served in the courtyard - I'm now a convert to vegan cuisine.
What we all loved about staying here is that it felt like no detail was left unnoticed. The gite had everything we needed and was decorated so tastefully-it's the perfect combo of feeling "homey" and also like a hotel. There were fresh flowers and a great welcoming basket of snacks (chocolate, chips, Lotus cookies, cake), all excellent quality, when we arrived. Then we had beautiful breakfast spreads every morning -fresh baguettes, homemade cinnamon rolls, overnight oats, preserves, orange juice, chia yogurt cups, homemade granola-a different combo of the above, each day. They had coffee and tea and options for all: French press, espresso maker, and Italian coffee maker, and non dairy milk. All of it was tasty and we really looked forward to the breakfast every morning.
The rooms are spacious with cute decor and we had plenty of space. We loved the big tub in one of the bathrooms (and plenty of hot water for baths!!!!), and the aromatherapy soap was a nice touch:)
The setting doesn't get more beautiful. It overlooks the countryside, and there is a ton of outdoor space. There's an area to barbecue, including a full-sized grill and table. There's an area to hangout on the hammock and read a book. There's an area for lounging at the beautiful, clear blue pool. It's all so peaceful and picturesque. It's a dream switch up for us city people-all the amenities but in nature!
Jen and Nick, the owners were the most hospitable and gracious, hosts. They left no stone unturned inside the gite and with the meals. They also were super helpful with info and recommendations on what to do in the area, where to eat, and just made us feel at home and comfortable. We went to a local cake and flower shop that they recommended as well as a Cognac tour, about 45 minutes away and enjoyed both. We loved staying here and plan to come back whenever we next visit France.
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