The Culinary Academy
of the Pyrenees
Preserving the old ways, from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic
A brief welcome to the Academy
Preserving the old ways, from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic
A brief welcome to the Academy
The Culinary Academy of the Pyrenees is a living record of the traditional cuisines of France and Spain, focused on the Pyrenees and all the varied lands that lie within view of these mountains however distant. It is not merely a collection of recipes to respect, but a roving institution, journeying throughout this mountain range to bring you one-on-one celebration of the ancient cookery of these lands.
This is the Academy’s vault—the ever-growing, definitive master catalogue of recipes gathered from decades of on-location research across France and Spain. It’s the foundation of everything we do, preserving authentic regional cookery in one indispensable resource. Access this rich archive to unlock timeless recipes, trusted techniques, and the heritage that fuels the Academy’s mission. Join us and step inside a living legacy.
Unlock the Recipe Archives
The Academy exists to share the practice of traditional cooking, quiet, seasonal, and rooted in place. Join to gain access to exclusive content, regional recipes, and deep knowledge drawn from kitchens across France and Spain. These include weekly blog-style field reports, documenting travels, encounters, and on-location cooking throughout the Pyrenees and beyond.
To learn the old ways is to learn real cooking, shaped by necessity, grounded in tradition, and guided by what the land provides. It is a cuisine built on good taste and good sense, refined over centuries, not dreamed up overnight. Few things are more widely loved than good traditional cooking, done properly.
This work is conducted by Pete (of Pete’s Pans), now serving as L’Émissaire des Hautes Traditions — a somewhat grand title that nonetheless reflects the seriousness of the task. His mission is to roam the culinary borderlands, documenting and demonstrating these old preparations so they remain part of our living culinary tradition.
"Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire."
— Gustav Mahler
Join the Academy to support our work and gain access to exclusive content.
Full access to our curated detailed notes for every new Instagram video, containing our never-miss-a-step instructions.
An insider's guide to our reviews of featured eateries in each region, handpicked by our team.
A curated directory of butchers and suppliers approved by the Academy, worth seeking out for quality ingredients.
Downloadable regional booklets organising authentic dishes from France and Spain by season and region.
Exclusive updates and personal reflections from our travels, bringing you closer to the heart of tradition.
Access our full digital archive of past projects and video reports, exclusive to members.
Here are some of the most common questions we receive about the Academy and our membership.