It’s been nothing short of an apple-scented whirlwind at the Château this week, as the Strawbridge family found themselves celebrating one of their sweetest traditions in truly spectacular fashion. With the crisp autumn air settling over the Walled Garden, the Strawbridges announced that it has officially become “an Apple Pie kind of week”—and for good reason.
The excitement began with the return of a beloved family treasure: Grandma’s legendary apple pie, a recipe so adored it practically has its own fan club among Escape to the Château viewers. According to the family, no one makes it quite like Café Grandma—and this year, she has had plenty of opportunities to work her magic.
When Dick and Angel first moved to France, one of the things Angel’s mum missed most was the unmistakable tang of bramley apples. But family stepped in to save the day: Dick’s mum and sisters sourced two bramley apple trees, lovingly delivered and planted in the Walled Garden. What started as a thoughtful gesture has now become an abundant yearly tradition.
This season, the Château orchard produced one of its biggest harvests ever, a bumper crop of perfect bramleys just begging to be peeled, sliced, spiced, and baked. The Strawbridges can hardly keep up—though Grandma seems more than delighted to try.
With baskets of apples overflowing, the kitchen has been buzzing, the scent of cinnamon drifting through the halls, and the family taking a nostalgic trip back through the memories that made this recipe such a staple of their home. They even shared a charming throwback clip from Escape to the Château, promising that a second part is on the way.
For fans eager to bring a slice of Château life into their own kitchens, the Strawbridges also revealed that Grandma’s celebrated recipe appears in The Château Kitchen Cookbook—an invitation to recreate the flavors of their French countryside haven at home.
As the Strawbridge family continues peeling, baking, laughing, and reminiscing, it’s clear that this apple-filled week has been more than just a culinary moment. It’s a reminder of the joy in traditions, the beauty of homegrown goodness, and the warmth that fills the Château—one perfect pie at a time.