Les Toques Blanches du Roussilon in South West France – Eat in style without breaking the bank

When it comes to a commitment to world-class cooking, the French are second to none. Paying testament to this unrivalled loyalty is the fact that since 2003 some 40 chefs have gathered in south west France in a force known as Les Toques Blanches du Roussilon.

This sought after and renowned event is aimed at strengthening the culinary art of the southernmost department of France – the Pyrenees-Orientales.

The mission of the Toques Blanches du Roussilon is threefold – to maintain and promote the traditional cuisine of the Pyrenees-Orientales, to encourage commitment to the profession by training young chefs and to use and promote local produce.

The chefs participating in the Toques Blanches du Roussilon are keen to cook with the varied ingredients from this diverse French department, including the Mediterranean, the rambling plain lands and the snow-capped mountains. The Pyrenees-Orientales area considers itself to be Catalan and as such feels that it has much in common with the Spanish province of Catalonia on the southern side of the Pyrenees. Cuisine here therefore reflects these Spanish associations, resulting in an interesting concoction of French and Spanish dishes.

Part of the Toques Blanches du Roussilon venture includes a major gastronomic event held in the exhibition centre in Perpignan every year. Known as Palais Gourmand visitors get the chance to try out a huge variety of more than 40 or so dishes all made of local ingredients such as wine made in the vicinity.

Many of the best restaurants in the area participate in the Toques Blanches du Roussilon, including the La Littorine in Banyuls-Sur-Mer and a coastal restaurant called Domain de Falgos in St-Laurent-de-Cerdans.

Bellavista restaurant in Prats-de-la-Mollo-Preste is another top eatery that participates in this prestigious culinary event. Situated at the foot of the ramparts this Catalan restaurant respects the tradition of local produce. Hot on its tail is Auberge du Cellier in Montnar, located at the gates of Cathar country, dedicated to serving gourmet cuisine.

This glamorous French culinary venture enables visitors to eat the very best the south west of France has to offer without breaking the bank, which in the south of France can be a fairly difficult feat to achieve.