A Culinary Escape


The Culinary Escape Weekend is centered around great shops and food artisans, and focused on foods that delight us- chocolate, wine, cheese, herb-infused vinegars and oils, preserves, mustards, and more - and how they are made.

Set among rolling farmland, these weekends offer guests a chance to slow down and appreciate the simple life.

A Delicious Way to Spend Your Weekend

Each weekend includes:

  • A tasting reception
  • Saturday tours of organic farms and stores
  • Tasting oils and vinegars of the world, and locally made fruit and vegetable preserves, at local food emporiums
  • Tasting local cheeses and wines
  • Two cooking classes with our guest chefs.
  • Fabulous meals at local eateries, focused on local, fresh foods in relaxed and elegant settings.

Feb. 19-21, 2010

Ste. Genevieve, Missouri

Next retreat: Feb. 2011

Visits to blueberry farms, walnut orchards, hydroponic grower, winery, and chocolatier.

April 23-25 , 2010

Galena, Ill.

Next retreat: April 2011

View Retreat Itinerary

  • Lodging options:
  1. Cloran Mansion, in town B&B
  2. The Wild Turkey, country B&B (by Eagle Ridge)
  3. Avery Guest House, B&B
  4. Goldmoor Inn, overlooking a Mississippi River valley
  • Guest chef: Patricia Lehnhardt at Great Galena Cookery

Jan. 29-31, 2010 Leelanau, Mich.

Next retreats in Leelanau: June 25-27 and Aug. 27-29

Visits to Sweeter Song CSA Farm, Food For Thought Farm, Grocer's Daughter Chocolates, Blackstar Farms & Leelanau Cheese Co., and Martha's Leelanau Table. Fabulous meals with Guest Chefs Timothy Young, Lynne Brach, Nancy Krcek Allen, and Perry Harmon.

July 30-Aug. 1, 2010

Mount Carroll, Ill.

Next retreat: Oct. 22-24

View Retreat Itinerary

  • Our suggestions for lodging:
  1. Hickory Hideaway, luxury cabins
  2. Country Palmer House, B&B
  3. Prairie Path Guest House B&B.
  • Set among rolling farmland, these lodgings offer guests a chance to slow down and appreciate the simple life.
  • Guest chef: Donna Duvall, Food Fancies, Personal Chef/Teacher

Recipes used in this retreat are published in the Lettuce, Herbs, and Pumpkin FoodBooks. See our FoodBooks pages for more information.