Workshop at Belle Isle Cookery School
It’s been a crazy couple of weeks as I am sure you have noticed by the relative silence here on my blog. I just returned from a fantastic trip to Ireland which I will tell you all about in 3 parts (yes, three!! Or maybe even four) starting today with the first part of my trip.
Sometimes you just know that something is going to be special when you first read about it. I can’t tell you how excited I was to be on time for registration to Helene’s workshop from 19th to 23th of July in the gorgeous location at Belle Isle Cookery School in Enniskillen (Northern Ireland) For one, I had never been to Ireland and that was long overdue. Secondly, I have been following Helene’s blog for about 5 years and am a huge fan of her work, so meeting her in person would be a good enough reason to go. I already explained earlier why I love going to workshops like this and planning wise this was maybe not the best timing as I had just returned from the workshop in Ettensburg Castle but a girl’s got to do, what a girls got to do… 
I had decided I was going to hire a car in Dublin, since my trip would involve traveling to the North and then after the workshop I would be going to the South to spend some time with Mona (more on that later!) and after the first nerve wrecking ten minutes driving on the wrong side of the road, I was all fine and arrived at Belle Isle early in the afternoon. I was totally blown away by how gorgeous the location was! We slept in beautiful cottages, arranged around a open space. The cottages were very big with a living room, a kitchen and multiple bedrooms. All cottages were divided, so each cottage had two students, who each had their own bedroom. I shared my cottage with the great Pernille from Denmark.
The participants really came from all places; we had people from Israel, Denmark, US, Cyprus, Dubai, Ireland, Holland (..) and Austria and not all were bloggers either. That made for a very interesting bunch of people and we got to spend some time together on the Thursday evening with wine and good food before we would start with the official part of the workshop on Friday.
For Belle Isle this was their first photography class so two newspaper photographers came by and took our photo. The first one being shown above, who was – let’s say – rather interesting… You can probably guess by looking at Helene’s face how well he was received by the group. Lol.
The workshop itself was fabulous. We got cracking on the technical details on Friday and in between we got to play with the beautiful food that Corrie, head chef of Belle Isle and Ruth, her assistant, laid out for us. Starting of with desserts and moving on to antipasti plate later in the day.
The second day was all about tarts which I well tell you about in a separate post as they were sooo good. In the morning we made the tarts and in the afternoon Helene gave us some great tips on how to style and plate your food. Totally loved that part as it was incredibly helpful. After shooting are own skilfully made tarts in the afternoon, we ate those for dinner that same night accompanied by some delicious salads (and more wine..)
Our last and third day was spend relaxing a little bit, sightseeing at Florence Court House and selecting our photos for review in the afternoon. We were actually quite lucky with the weather as our first days, the days that were most important, were dry and even a little bit of sunshine came through. Unfortunately our last day was cloudy and rainy but all in all, no complaints there.
Our farewell dinner was delicious and you could tell by the noise in the room of everyone talking at the same time that we had all bonded in those few days and were having a blast. So much so that there was serious talk about a follow up workshop next year in France…. Can’t wait for that to happen!
And to finish off a photo of our group taken by the wonderful Bill, husband of Helene.
Appetizer
Asian
Bread
Breakfast
Desserts & other sweets
Healthy
Wow, I so wish I was there too!! Can’t read to read the other parts. It looks like you had such an inspirational few days; I already get inspired when I look at these pictures!
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Simone (junglefrog) — July 28th, 2012 at 23:17
Thanks so much Denise. Yes it was indeed great fun and very inspirational!
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I can’t wait for other parts as well. I hope you had lovely time in Ireland.
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Simone (junglefrog) — July 28th, 2012 at 23:17
Part 2 will be coming soon..
Loved Ireland and I definitely will be back!
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Wonderful! I love Helene’s work. It must have been so enjoyable.
Cheers,
Rosa
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Simone (junglefrog) — July 28th, 2012 at 23:18
It was wonderful Rosa!
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What a beautiful experience! I look forward to enjoying Helene’s blog, it sounds amazing:-) I visited Ireland when I was 17, and look forward to taking my hubby one day. Ireland is truly beautiful! Thank you for sharing your experience, I look forward to the other posts. Hugs, Terra
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Simone (junglefrog) — July 28th, 2012 at 23:18
It is an amazing country – well apart from the weather maybe.. – and I will definitely be back together with Tom. I want him to see it all too!
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WOW! What an amazing experience to be part of… and the scenery had to be absolutely beautiful from the top pictures. Definitely look forward to more posts!
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Simone (junglefrog) — July 28th, 2012 at 23:19
It was definitely a very very beautiful location Janet. Post 2 will be up soon!
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What an experience, Simone, I’m so jealous! Will you, pretty please, share a little of what you learned???
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Simone (junglefrog) — July 28th, 2012 at 23:19
I might put some learnings into the second post Sue..
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What a great experience and your photos are beautiful, as always! Thanks for sharing!
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Simone (junglefrog) — July 29th, 2012 at 08:46
Thanks Kristen!
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I was drooling over this workshop. I saw the dates and knew that I couldn’t attend…my niece’s wedding dates. And, when the phone rang and we were told that her wedding was called off (a very long story) my first (and this is horrid of me to admit!) thoughts were “Dang! I could have gone to Ireland!”. So, in a round about way…thank you for giving me a peek into the workshop that ‘could’ve’!!
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Simone (junglefrog) — July 29th, 2012 at 08:46
Ooo, I can totally imagine how you would not be so happy after all that..
It was indeed a great workshop but I am sure there will be others you can attend!
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Love the British Isles so, but have never gotten to Ireland: as have lots of Irish-born friends here in Oz, it almost ‘hurts’! So, thank you for the lovely pics which pass on some of the atmosphere – oh, what I would not have given to be in your shoes! Absolutely pea-green with envy
!
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Simone (junglefrog) — July 29th, 2012 at 08:46
Thanks Eha. Yes it was one lovely workshop for sure! And the surroundings were just gorgeous!
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Sound OK to me – will be looking forward to the next installment and hearing about all the interesting people you met *ahem*
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Simone (junglefrog) — July 29th, 2012 at 14:01
Anyone in particular you’re referring too?
lol… More to come soon!
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Simone, this post is pure candy. What beautiful pictures and what a great story. I’m drooling over some of this equipment I see… Oh, and food, of course!
Looks like you had an amazing experience and I can’t wait to read the rest of it. I mean wow, attending a workshop is great, but attending a workshop to Ireland? THE DREAM!
This has got to make following your 12WBT darn near impossible though…
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Simone (junglefrog) — July 29th, 2012 at 14:01
O you’re so right about that Sonia. I haven’t given up though and as of Monday it will be full steam ahead again. Gotta get back on track!
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Thanks so much for sharing, Simone! The location is stunning and I am glad that you enjoyed the workshop. Yes, I am amazed that you do find your way into the group photos of so many different workshops
but more power to you! I’d love to be able to do this. I’ll bet each one inspires in a different way. And ending it all with a visit to Mona which I cannot wait to read about!
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What a wonderful opportunity and experience not to mention meeting and bonding with people with the same interest. Glad the weather cooperated. Looking forward to reading more.
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A great recap! Must have been an awesome workshop. You do so right to join all these opportunities. Oh, and what did you say – a workshop in france? That would be a big deal and I would so love to take part – maybe we meet once again!
Hugs, Sandy
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OMG … I’m so jealous
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Wow…that sounds like a lot of fun. Helen is absolutely talented, you are very lucky to meet her. I am on my way to finish her book ” Plate to Pixel”. Gorgeous pictures as usual.
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Reading this I already look forward to your next posts about this workshop to get to know more about this awesome workshop. Although not being there it is so much fun to read all about your experiences there
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What a fantastic time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you for sharing all the photos. I must do this some day.
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Simone (junglefrog) — July 31st, 2012 at 18:16
You really should Olga and then you should tell me where you’re going so I can join to and meet you (finally!)
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Your blog is fantastic. I can’t wait to sit down with a few free hours to read all these great posts! I can’t believe we are only just finding it now. Thanks for all the inspiration!
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Simone (junglefrog) — August 2nd, 2012 at 23:31
O thanks so much Aimee and Simon!
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I spent a glorious month in Belle isle doing an intensive cooking course and had a fabulous time a few years ago!. My Mums house is only half an hours drive away! How I would have loved to do this workshop!
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