à Brantôme...Mignonne x LUSH-Getaways
Mignonne owner, Johnelle Mancha and team stylists ventured to the quaint and beautiful Brantome, France to host an intimate group of guests on a culinary tour of Southwest France. Johnelle & her mother Kim, owner of Mignonne's sister-shop Les Bohemians, teamed up in 2016 to found LUSH-Getaways. Together they are now offering annual curated trips to the Dordogne region of France.
Kim Mancha is the local mastermind behind the intimate and unique curation of experiences on this tour. She has lived in Brantome for over ten years, cultivating genuine relationships with fellow townspeople and building an ideal routine within this beautiful European culture we all aspire to be a part of. Over the past ten years, Johnelle has continued to harvest a creative community in the Bay which has lent itself to the group of talented makers joining LUSH for the past two years and for future years to come. This year, she brings innovative forces together to furnish, lead and inspire a group of guests on their tour through the Dordogne this year...
Arriving to Brantome was dreamy amidst the misty fog and peaceful streets. A river running through the village provides an ethereal energy and whisks you away as you retreat to a simpler time. The 17th-century manor sits just outside the shopping and dining cobblestone streets of Brantome and the guests were welcomed into a thoughtfully styled and curated space to call home for the next week.
Each room contained such unique details and vintage, one-of-a-kind pieces. Guests were shown to their chambers and settled in with lovely welcome baskets before heading downstairs for a thoughtful and delicious introductory apero by Chef Justin Wright and cocktails by our founder's husband and LUSH bartender extraordinaire, Brian Hill.
Our own Bay Area based chef, Justin Wright, started the group off with beautiful cured local trout and cucumber roses with fromage blanc and dill. His second creation was a local cured duck, foie gras toast with fresh wild strawberry, cress and raspberry reduction...just the beginning of a stand-out culinary journey alongside Manhattan's Camaje Chef-Owner, Abigail Hitchcock.
LUSH founders, makers and guests alike exchange initial bises and embark on what's about to be an irreplaceable week of sharing in experiences throughout the beautiful Dordogne region.
Starting the journey off right with a delicious aperol spritz in the garden, poolside set the scene for what was about to be an unforgettable excursion for the heart, soul and palate.
Chef Abigail Hitchcock, Executive Chef and Owner of Manhattan's Camaje, prepared a beautiful inaugural dinner of local rabbit, mushrooms, tomato tart, courgette with ratatouille and fresh berry tartlet...divine. She introduces each course with smooth articulation and genuine passion for the craft.
Locally-foraged french lavender and thistle pod adorned each place setting alongside an assortment of vintage crystal wine glasses and antique linens.
Santé!
Rise and shine...and yes, it wasn't all a dream, you waking in an ancient manor to a thoughtful breakfast before exploring the village you call home for a week is the reality...enjoy.
A classic french omelette perfectly prepared by Chef Justin was followed by a morning cooking demo to illustrate the precision and helpful insight into replicating one at home!
Emmie delivered flawlessly and after digesting and learning a useful skill from one of our chefs, guests retreated to the bright library to partake in a yoga class offered by instructor and LUSH body-worker, Janet DeHart.