A Culinary Journey in France: Kyle’s Transformative Experience at a Cooking Course Abroad

When Kyle set out to take a cooking course in France, he was pursuing a long-held dream, one that initially seemed distant until a supportive mentor, Kim, helped connect him to the opportunity. "I’d always dreamed of training abroad under a renowned chef,” he shared. “But I didn’t know how I’d make it happen.” With Kim’s guidance, Kyle found himself on the path to an intensive “Fire and Spice” culinary course, ready to explore the art of cooking meats and mastering complex flavor profiles.

Embracing the French Culinary World

Upon arrival, Kyle was in awe of the kitchen where he’d spend the next several weeks. Equipped with all the right tools, an array of spices, and even a hand-drawn portrait of the instructors, Sid and Alison, the kitchen exuded both professionalism and warmth. “It felt like a dream,” he said, “but the warmth in the room from Sid and Alison was what really stood out. They had this saying, ‘A dream you dream alone is a dream. A dream you dream together is reality.’ I felt instantly at home.”

His days quickly filled with new skills and techniques, with Sid and Alison’s passion for their craft inspiring every moment. The couple’s love for food and each other, as well as their joy in teaching, transformed Kyle’s approach to cooking. “Learning from Sid and Alison was so much more than picking up technical skills. I learned to infuse my cooking with passion and soul,” he recalled.

The Most Valuable Lessons Learned

One of the most challenging yet rewarding skills Kyle tackled was dough-making. “Working with dough was an entirely new experience for me,” he laughed. “I tried to make pizza dough, but I stretched it too thin and ended up with a hole in the middle. The ingredients spilled all over the oven.” While humorous, this incident became a lesson in patience and precision, reinforcing the importance of preparation.

Sid and Alison also introduced him to “mis en place,” a classic French approach that translates to “everything in place.” This practice, Kyle shared, had a significant impact on his cooking. “Mis en place transformed my cooking at home. Now, I plan everything out in a cooking notebook, organize ingredients, and set up all my tools before I even start. It has allowed me to immerse myself fully in the cooking process and appreciate the taste, texture, and presentation of every dish.”

Immersing in French Culture

Beyond the classroom, Kyle explored local markets and food culture with Sid as his guide. One standout experience was visiting a mushroom cave, where he tasted the freshest mushrooms of his life. "They were earthy and flavorful, unlike anything I’d ever had. The taste stayed with me for hours,” he described. French pride in food quality, along with the fresh ingredients sourced directly from local farms, left a lasting impression on him.

Applying New Knowledge and Perspective

Looking back, Kyle sees his time in France as a transformative period that deepened his relationship with food. “I learned to think creatively, to be flexible, and to work with what I have. Sometimes things don’t go as planned, and you have to adapt. I want to bring that perspective home and empower others to feel confident in the kitchen.”

In his role with Cook With Communities (CWC), Kyle hopes to share his experience and passion for food with others, building a community around a love for cooking and healthy eating. “Food connects everyone. It doesn’t matter where you’re from or who you are; food is a common ground. I want to share what I’ve learned to inspire others to enjoy cooking and to build a positive, healthful relationship with food.”

What’s Next

For Kyle, this culinary journey was just the beginning. Looking ahead, he’s eager to pass on his newfound knowledge and appreciation for French culinary traditions to his community. His goal is to not only share skills but to inspire others to see cooking as an art, a form of expression, and a way to connect deeply with one another.

Through Cook With Communities, Kyle plans to help others experience the joys of cooking and the sense of fulfillment it brings. After all, in his words, “In sharing a meal, a skill, a recipe… I hope to bring others together and empower them to find their own joy in the kitchen.”