We have been living here, at Les Caulins, in the beautiful South of France since March 2016. Our home is a separate small house so if needed we can be available to give local information or help in any way we can to make your holiday enjoyable and memorable. We have been in the catering and hospitality industry for 30 years. Emma since the age of 9 wanted to be a chef and hubby John is nuts about wine. Emma began her cooking career at Midsummer House in Cambridge then honed her skills with spells in Italy, Switzerland, Barbados and London restaurants: Blanford Street, Sally Clarke, l’Oranger & Nicole Farhi. Emma is passionate about seasonal, fresh food with her gutsy approach to enhancing simple flavours. John a former UK Sommelier of the year and winner of the Mondavi award for the best wine list in the world met Emma at Midsummer House before working at some of the Worlds best restaurants and hotels. Sandy Lane Barbados, In London: The Berkley, Browns Hotel, Nico’s, The Savoy, Scotts of Mayfair, Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Hambourg and Raffles Singapore. John is bonkers about wine with some 30 years experience in the industry. An enthusiast for the little wine producers and seeker of unknown gems. Prior to aquiring Les Caulins in 2016 Emma and John ran their own succesful restaurant in Buckinghamshire. Winning many awards including the 50 best destination restaurants in the UK, Wine pub of the year, British Cheeseboard of the year and Buckinghams best restaurant for 8 years to name a few.
Emma & John Gilchrist purchased this House in 2016
Why Emma chose Saint-Sernin
The idea of spending a morning at a local market or sampling some wine at a nearby vineyard. followed by a afternoon by the pool and supper watching the sunset was a dream we could not resist. The area is one of the best in France for our passions, food and wine. The quality of the produce: truffles, strawberries, plums prunes, melons, figs, pork, beef, duck, foie gras, the list goes on……… This combined with some of Frances best markets and the abundance and diversity of some of the best known and least known wine regions in France. Places to explore, new sights to see, a simpler life and the glorious weather were too much for us to ignore.
What makes this House unique
Total relaxation, peaceful, with far reaching views and, if we want, plenty around us to do and the opportunity to share our passions is our perfect way of life. We have gathered and combined our vast experience in the hospitality industry and created a holiday gite that we would enjoy for our own holiday, charmingly French, totally relaxing, informative, a little rustic, very comfortable and affordable with surprises of luxury. Good food, some wine and great company.
