Welcome to Rue Tatin and the magical culinary world of Susan Herrmann Loomis.

She is an acclaimed cookbook author and cook who teaches classes, both in Paris and at her home in Louviers. Approximately one hour outside of Paris, Susan has taken up residence in a 15th century convent.

This remarkable home and adjacent garden play host to the reverent students who arrive, grateful to spend time in the kitchen and in the local markets, with such a knowledgeable and talented cook.

Let's say you feel you have reached a certain level of competence in the kitchen, being able to successfully feed your loved ones using the freshest of market ingredients. Perhaps you are ready for some new ideas and skills, and are interested in enrolling in a cooking class. What a challenge, trying to decide where to go! It would be a shame to travel a long way, at great expense, only to come away from a week-long cooking class with recipes so complicated, they are virtually impossible to reproduce. Bummer.

If you go onto the On Rue Tatin website you will be able to see a sample week's worth of cooking. Right away, it is evident that simplicity and goodness reign. When you start with the best ingredients available, of the highest quality, and fresh as can be, recipes do not need to be complicated. If a tomato really tastes sweet and fragrant and has just come off the vine, you don't need to do much to it. Susan wants to send you home from class infused with a bit of her passion regarding the preparation of, and the sharing of food. This basic Life pleasure, for many of us, has practically been erased from our hectic daily lives.

By the way, Susan's cooking classes in Paris are conducted in the state-of -the-art atelier/kitchen of Patricia Wells, on Rue Jacob, the Left Bank. Check the website for upcoming classes in the American West!

www.onruetatin.com