Taste of Savoie

03/07/2026

I recently spent a brilliant evening enjoying the hospitality and dinner at Snow Cooks. It was lovely to go back and catch up with Mel, who runs these cooking courses to help people get into chalet hosting and chalet cooking.

While these weeks are primarily designed to introduce you to the catered ski chalet world, they are genuinely open to anyone. It is the ideal setup if you want to sharpen your dinner party skills, learn new kitchen techniques or master a fresh set of menus to confidently cook at home. The chalet itself is based in the traditional village of Peisey-Nancroix, perfectly situated for exploring the Haute Tarentaise valley and the Paradiski area of Les Arcs and La Plagne in spring, summer and autumn when the hiking trails open up.

I met three young people there completing the course for their Duke of Edinburgh Gold residential. What a brilliant idea. Their parents definitely have a plan - and maybe Mum will finally get a night off from the cooking.
The Snow Cooks students cooked and served a delicious dinner. We started with canapés and a signature cocktail they had created, followed by a feast of Eastern Mediterranean-style dishes. They finished with a standout dessert, one so good I immediately went home and recreated it that weekend.
If you’d like to learn more about these courses, head to the link in my stories (or in the comments below) to read the blog post from when I took the course myself. I believe there are still a few spaces left for this season.

Snow Cooks

25/06/2026

Lunchtime in Annecy… I’m a bit behind with my posts lately, having spent far too much time out and about eating my way through the region and around France. Let’s start with a recent lunch at VIF in Annecy.

Occupying the old Aromatik site, it’s one building with two distinct entrances. They’ve created a warm, welcoming interior with modern, playful decor. There are two outdoor terraces, one on Rue Filaterie and the other on Rue Collège Chappuisien.
As for the food, it is excellent. They focus on sharing plates, which is the best way to go here because you get to taste so much more of the menu. The flavour combinations are genuinely clever, the kind of dishes you really need to try for yourself.
To back it up, there’s a solid list of local wines and their signature cocktails. The relaxed atmosphere makes it a brilliant spot for meeting friends, with a good mix of smaller tables and longer communal high tables for bigger groups.

VIF is open every evening from 17h - 01h, and for lunch Wednesday to Sunday from 12h - 14h, when they have a formule midi.
I can’t wait to go back…

27/05/2026

Looks like another great restaurant to visit in our region! The transformation of an old refuge at 1500m into a gastronomique experience at La Feclaz in the Massif de Bauges. Plan a hike with a lunch stop! Opening in June 2026

Le Chalet du Sire

À La Féclaz, Kévin Vaubourg et Lucille Routin reprennent le Chalet du Sire pour y signer une table gastronomique à quatre mains. L’ouverture est prévue pour juin 2026. https://fr.gaultmillau.com/fr/news/deux-chefs-transforment-un-refuge-savoyard-en-table-gastronomique

27/05/2026

After a wander through the Friday morning market in Annecy, finding a good spot for lunch is the next priority.
The town has plenty of options, but last week I finally tried Nuance on Rue du Faubourg Sainte-Claire. It has been open for three years now, though it was a first-time visit for me.

The weekly lunchtime menu offers great value. It is a three-course menu offering one entrée, a meat, fish and vegetarian dish choice for the main, followed by a choice of two desserts.
The kitchen balances modern French cuisine with subtle, interesting Asian flavours, bringing some unexpected combinations to the plate. I particularly liked that the main dish came with a good selection of interestingly prepared vegetables rather than just as an afterthought.
A great find with a welcoming, easy atmosphere.

Oohh and remember to pop to the loo - check out the 9 different flavours of handsoap to try!
I’d like to try Nuance in the evening sometime as they offer a wider selection of interesting-sounding dishes, a discovery menu and good sharing options.

20/05/2026

24 hours in Bourges. Breaking a long drive across France is always a good idea, and this stopover in the city of Bourges, the old province of Berry is a perfect example of why. I love a new French discovery!

The city is dominated by the massive Gothic presence of the Cathédrale Saint-Étienne, its limestone taking on a pale, warm glow in the late afternoon light. Yet just a short walk from the old stone centre, the city completely dissolves into the quiet, green waterways and private vegetable plots of the Marais allotment gardens.

The gastronomy here is a complete departure from the cheese-heavy dishes of the Haute Savoie. Instead, it is built on subtle, seasonal flavours and local craftsmanship like the graphic pattern of a sliced pâté berrichon from the Saturday market and the blue-grey rind of aged Chavignol, a local goats cheese. Try the crisp, structured Sauvignon Blanc of nearby Quincy or the Mentou-Salon red or white. The locally made cherry vin de liqueur is a must-try too!

The full 24-hour itinerary and regional food guide are now live on my blog, complete with all the details on what to eat, drink and see.

Head over to tasteofsavoie.com or click the link in my bio to read the full post.

TravelFrance

02/05/2026

How have I not been to Cool Cats in Chamonix before?
Well, one reason maybe that I’ve spotted the queue to order and walked past, wondering…Well, let me tell you, it is worth standing in that queue or just having a later lunch when it’s a little calmer. You will need the time in the queue though, to decide which delicious hot dog creation or street food dish to choose.

So Cool Cats have taken the humble hot dog to dizzying new heights. With a choice of your preferred protein, including a vegan option. Many flavour combinations from Mexican, to Asian fusion, classic and Savoyard.

And did I mention the nachos, or shake and special fries with salts and sauces.
All freshly made using locally sourced ingredients and showcasing world flavours.

I can’t wait to go back!
They are open every day from 12 noon through to midnight non stop. On sunny days there’s a lovely sheltered terrace to relax and eat.

29/04/2026

🍷✨ WINE & CHEESE TASTING EVENING ✨🧀
Thursday 7 May 2026 — 7.30 pm
📍 Les Cabanes du Salève, 74160 Collonges-sous-Salève
An evening to unwind and let yourself be surprised:
🍷 Blind tasting of fine wines
🧀 Cheeses, charcuterie & sweet treats
🔥 A warm and friendly atmosphere
💶 €150 per person
🚨 Limited places -
👉 Book via email [email protected]
Enjoy a gourmet, surprising and memorable evening 🍷🧀

Crèmerie du Salève

🍷✨ SOIRÉE DEGUSTATION VINS & FROMAGES ✨🧀

Jeudi 7 mai 2026 — 19h30
📍 Les Cabanes du Salève , 74160 Collonges sous Salève

Une soirée pour lâcher prise et se laisser surprendre :

🍷 Dégustation de grands vins à l’aveugle
🧀 Fromages, charcuteries & douceurs
🔥 Ambiance chaleureuse & conviviale

💶 150€ / personne
🚨 Places limitées -

👉 Réservation en DM ou par mail [email protected]

  Viens vivre une soirée gourmande, surprenante et mémorable 🍷🧀 

20/04/2026

🍷DATE FOR YOUR DIARY!🍷
Open weekend at a local domaine, taste wines, a local produce market. have a picnic in the vines, restauration on Sunday - as featured on my new foodie events calendar on Taste of Savoie - link in comments below

❗❗❗C'est officiel... On se retrouve le 2 et 3 MAI pour fêter ça ❗❗❗

Partager un max avec tous vos amis, on vous attends très nombreux !!

🌞🍇🍷🍾🥂🎉