About Us

Pascale Beale-Groom grew up in England and France surrounded by a family which has always been passionate about food, wine and the arts. She was taught to cook by her French mother and grandmother. After 15 years working in the property and financial markets in California, all the while continuing her quest for good food and culinary knowledge during gastronomic pilgrimages to Europe, she returned to her first passion, cooking, and opened ‘Montecito Country Kitchen’ a Mediterranean cooking school, in Santa Barbara in 1999. She joined the International Association of Culinary Professionals in 2000.

In 2001 she launched her on-line Gourmet Spice and Cookaware lines. Her first cook book 'A Menu for All Seasons - Spring', was published in 2004. The second book in the series, 'Summer', was released in early 2008. Her newset book, Autumn was published in October 2009.

Montecito Country Kitchen Gourmet Herbs,
Spices and other food products:

It all started with holiday gift baskets made for family and friends from the fruit in our garden. The first year the basket contained a jar of Apricot Jam,a Jar of Marmalade and some homemade shortbread. The second year, in addition to the staples of the house, we added Chocolate Truffles and Raspberry Jam to each basket. By the third year the number of items in the baskets had grown to fourteen different items and the number of baskets approached bulk quantities. During this time more and more people asked if they could purchase jams through out the year.

It was time to expand production and offer new products. In 1999, we began offering products to students who came to cooking classes. In 2001 we launched our website and started our online product business. This product line has grown to incorporate a whole range of herbs, spices, a large variety of salts from around the world, olive oils and cooking products. Early in 2004 we started carrying wonderful Mauviel Copper Cookware. Produced in France this world-class cookware reflected all that we treasure in the kitchen: Things that are well made, will last a life time and will enhance the pleasures of cooking and serving food. In 2007 we introduced a new line of items, including a whole fragrant tea line and new kitchen baskets filled with treaures from Europe and Asia.

Montecito Country Kitchen plans on expanding its herb lines, developing new blended spices, adding additional innovative cookware items and bringing its students and customers items that make cooking delicious, fun and pleasurable.

The company celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2009.

Ecole de Cuisine - Our Provencal - Mediterranean cooking school:

Our cooking classes focus on the foods of the Mediterranean with a special emphasis on preparing seasonal foods using organic produce from local farmers where possible, teaching timing and menu planning. All of the classes feature a three or four course meal which students and instructors prepare together in a convivial atmosphere. Once the meal is ready, everyone gathers around a beautiful table and dines together. Classes are limited in size to no more than 12 people.

It is our hope that the kitchen and dinning room become the center of all our homes. A place for people to gather, chat, laugh, chop vegetables together and enjoy the fruits of your labor both figuratively and on the plates before you.