Meet Madeleine Vedel
Madeleine Vedel is an American who arrived in Arles summer of 1995, where she met Erick, enjoyed his cooking for a week and opted to stay. With Erick, she ran the Association Cuisine et Tradition Cooking school and Culinary Tours, and the adjoining bed and breakfast from 1997-2008. Before Arles, she lived and worked in Seattle as a photography gallery director, in Japan as a conference coordinator, and in Paris assisting with a Paris-Tokyo photography exhibition. Educated in the United States and Paris, she is fluent in English, French and Japanese. In her years in Provence she has come to treasure the bounty of the region, and the skills and passion of its many artisans. A featured speaker at the International Association of Culinary Professionals' meetings in 2000 and 2004, she has also free-lanced translating multiple cookbooks and wine articles.
Now in a new phase of her life, she is pursuing and sharing her love of wine, fermenting, organics and home-made everything, while working on a book for young cooks.
Notes from happy clients:
Dear Madeleine + boys,
I did want you to know how much I enjoyed my stay with you in Arles. I couldn't have thought of a better introduction to the French way of life -- particularly for one with no language. I would have to say by the time I left France I had more confidence and actually understood quite a lot.
You made us all very welcome and looked after us beautifully -- it was very relaxing and comfortable and all on board were great company. -- A friend from Australia
Bonjour Madeleine!
Just a little note to say thank you for the most wonderful time we had! We spent so much time planning our trip, and now we're already home.... Thank you again for making it such an amazing trip. It was so much more than a cooking course - it was a sensory experience of note, with a cultural and history tour included - so much more than what I bargained for. Kind regards to you and your friends,
Madeleine!!
I have been carrying around a little thank you note for you ever since I got back to Boston from my glorious time with you. I am so so grateful for that time with you in Arles, and want to return asap, or at least by next June's language course. I have been raving about you to all my friends - and I know at least one of my Princeton buddies is going to be contacting you soon.
Dear Madeleine,
I'm sorry, that as we had to leave so early in the morning we couldn't say a real goodbye, and tell you what a fantastic job you did providing us a terrific week in Provence. The hiking spots were wonderful -- scenic, varied and so much fun to get out in the region. Gilbert, and Veronique and all the others you kindly introduced us to, it all added up to a perfect 10! Have a wonderful spring and summer, and a big hug, kisses and thanks to all!
