THE HAIRY BIKERS IN MY PART OF FRANCE! I love all types of cooking programmes and have my own personal favourites and the Hairy Bikers top my list! I love watching Dave and Si cook but it’s their superb humour and friendliness that I really like. For the past 5 weeks they have been travelling around Europe going from the northern countries of Europe to the eastern countries and now they have hit my country - France! Many people regard France as the home of gastronomy and the first stop for the bikers was Lyon the culinary capital of France. Dave and Si explore the 'bouchon' - a restaurant traditionally run by a female chef or 'mere Lyonnaise' where the food was not only good but the portions enormous! Wanting to get into the swing of cooking in France they start with a tarte aux pralines and create a saucisson-stuffed brioche. From Lyon they travel to Montelimar to learn the secrets of teeth-pulling nougat, followed by truffle-hunting for the famous white summer truffle. This famous truffle is used to make truffle-infused butter and brie. From here they ride along the Canal du Midi and onto Carcassonne (Languedoc) and one of the regions that I work in. With the backdrop of the medieval cite behind them (an awesome sight) they bake a perfect Flan de Saint Jean de Minervois; it like a crème caramel but made with lavender honey and dessert wine. Onwards to Castelnaudary to the home of Cassoulet where they are inducted into the Ancient Order of the Cassoulet (after eating it of course!) when they reach their journey's end. This beautiful part of the Languedoc with its Cathar history, Corbiere Valley and the Mediterranean coast is perfect for a wonderful family holiday. Flights to Carcassonne are regular and inexpensive and for me it’s definitely an area I love visiting time and time again. Gill Manager France & Morocco