Cooking
or culinary holidays, vacations, tours worldwide:
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SHORT
BREAKS : COOKING HOLIDAYS : COOKING VACATIONS
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 On
The Menu . . .
Cooking Holidays worldwide
With
On The Menu, you learn to cook sensational food in spectacular
locations. From India to Indonesia, Morocco to Mexico,
or Sydney to Seville, you will find vibrant cities,
idyllic beaches, lush country and ancient lands . .
. all with great cuisine.
Each
of their venues has been carefully chosen for their
quality and character. In inspirational hands on sessions
you will learn new techniques and culinary secrets.
Their teachers range from gourmet chefs to local women
who have been cooking almost since they could walk.
Classes are intimate and deliberately small to allow
for plenty of individual attention. You work with fantastic
fresh produce, cooking authentic regional food. Always
there are fascinating market trips with your chef. Often,
you get to pick ingredients from the local farms or
gardens. What better way to learn about a country than
through its food and flavours, choosing vegetables at
the markets, sharing stories over a bubbling pot.
These
holidays are adesigned to be just that - a holiday.
So between cooking and lingering over long meals, there
is plenty of time to yourself - to explore or just unwind.
Non cooking companions will have plenty to do while
you cook and are welcomed at all the schools. From the
earthy character of rural country villas to luxurious
hotels, gleaming state of the art kitchens, to rustic
cook ups, city culture to beachy bliss, there is something
to suit all tastes and pockets. None require you to
be an expert cook, the courses are for the enthusiast,
not the professional chef and the atmosphere is relaxed,
educational and fun. Thier philosophy is simple . .
. great cooking in great places.
Holidays
for people who love food!
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contact details >
Australia
. . . cooking in Sydney
 Think
Sydney and you think seafood! Fresh, succulent and lots
of it. Yet with fabulous fresh produce, award winning
wines, exciting restaurants and a confluence of culinary
influences that seems to bring out the best in everything,
it is not all just juicy king prawns and barramundi.
This is a rare opportunity to discover Sydney's fantastic
food scene with the woman in the know.
Sydney
Pemberton is the grand dame of Australian food. A renowned
food writer and chef, she loves good food and is passionate
about sharing her knowledge. She is an authoritative
source, having taught at the famed Sydney Seafood School
and penned many a cookbook. Infact her cookbook From
Water to Plate is a must have for the serious fishetarian.
You could not ask for a better guide.
The
tour is a combination of cooking, markets, shopping,
tastings and restaurants. Classes are hands on and the
numbers are deliberately small to allow for lots of
individual attention. The emphasis is on seafood, how
to buy it, prepare it, cook it perfectly and deliciously.
You will be taken around the Sydney Fish Market, see
the seafood auctions and choose your fish for your session.
There is also a specially created session on barbeques
- learn from the inventors of outdoor cooking on how
to do it best. There is a trip to the Growers Market
for more fresh produce and discussions with impassioned
producers. You will be led to some of Sydney's best
kept food secrets, taste oils, cheeses and breads and
lunch at the haunts of the locals. And there is plenty
of time to chat with your host about where to eat and
where not to. A true insiders guide to this sensational
city.
The
tour is arranged over three days, so it is the perfect
addition whether you are passing through Sydney as part
of a longer Australian trip or staying in the city for
a while.
For further information - click
here 
France . . . cooking in Provence
 Tucked
away in the pretty hilltop village of La Cadier d'Azur,
with the vineyards and orchards of Bandol on one side
and the Mediterranean on the other, this residential
course is as authentic as it gets. Chef and proprietor
Rene Berard was born in this very village and his superb
cuisine is based on all the traditional flavours and
fragrances of his beloved Provence. Cooking is at a
magnificent country house in the midst of a herb garden
not far from the hotel, with the sound of cicadas and
the scent of lavender in the air. All produce is bought
fresh everyday at the local market, and the food reflects
the seasons of Provence. Indeed in truffle season in
December, Rene runs a special truffle course, a treat
for the impassioned foodie. It is not all food and wine
though and there is plenty of free time to explore the
glorious countryside, drive to the beach or just relax
by the pool. Non cooking companions will have plenty
to do while you cook.
Despite
the intimacy and personal attention of the course, there
is delightful privacy. The elegant family run hotel
in the midst of the Bandol vineyards, is not just one
property but is infact a cluster of beautifully restored
old buildings, including an Eleventh century monastery.
There are thirty-six charming rooms, ensuite and air-conditioned,
each with their own personality and views over the hills.
Some rooms are grouped around the heated outdoor swimming
pool. The hotel has an excellent restaurant and is celebrated
for it's outstanding cuisine and excellent grand cru
wines.
For further information - click
here
France
. . . cooking in Loire
 Want
to make the leap from amateur to gourmet, to learn how
to really cook? Experience real gourmet cooking with
top chefs and luxury accommodation in France, the home
of gourmet cuisine. Cooking is all about confidence,
being relaxed and understanding your ingredients and
here each day with expert guidance, you will learn how
to do just that. You will experiment with new flavours
and techniques, ranging from basic knife skills to croustades.
Serving up Collops of monkfish glazed with a herb, mustard
and brioche crust may be your regular TV dinner on your
return!
Maynard
and Benedict are both expert chefs with distinguished
careers in gourmet cuisine. As well as being great cooks,
they are also experienced and enthusiastic teachers.
They aim to inspire your imagination through practical,
simple and fun tuition that will increase your confidence
and transform your culinary skills.
The
breaks are intimate, for up to eight people so you will
get personal attention and pampered luxury. The course
is set in an idyllic rural French farmhouse surrounded
by a walnut grove. The property has deluxe ensuite bedrooms,
open log fires and tranquil grounds, perfect for a relaxing
gourmet break. Non cooking companions are very welcome
to come along.
For further information - click
here
France
. . . cooking in Charente
 Cookery
writer and TV chef Valentina Harris has been hosting
exceptional cookery holidays in Italy for many years.
Now in France at Le Manoir de Touvent, the former childhood
home of Francois Mitterrand, she continues her formula
for success - great hands on cooking in a fabulous setting
with the emphasis on fun. Touvent lies in the Charente
in south west France - overlooking the river Dronne
with panoramic views for miles. Over seven days you
can unwind and relax deep in the peace of the French
countryside and explore the exceptional cuisine and
extraordinary wines of this beautiful region
The
course caters for all kinds of cooks, from the most
professional to the first timer, so each lesson is designed
to allow each participant to match their own skill level.
Each lesson has a dedicated menu of recipes and you
will be asked to choose which dishes you would like
to make at the start of the class. There are wine tastings,
an olive oil tasting, lesson on knife skills and various
talks on local produce as well as walks in the surrounding
countryside to pick and learn about wild mushrooms,
salads and herbs.
All
lessons are either with Valentina or visiting expert
guest Chefs or a combination of the two. Although the
emphasis will naturally be on French cuisine, there
will also be a sprinkling of Italian. Not to mention
that each of the guest Chefs will also be adding their
own signature dishes and personal favourites to the
huge range of recipes covered each week.
The
lovingly restored house set in seven acres of tranquil
grounds with orchards and a swimming pool provides a
wonderful place to hone your creative skills. There
are eight delightful rooms - all completely different
and each with its own bathroom. And to relax . . . two
beautiful salons at either end of a very atmospheric,
candlelit dining hall.
For further information - click
here
India
. . . cooking in Goa
 Set
in Goa, India's beach paradise - all coconut palms,
golden sand and laidback living - this is a gently paced
introduction to the sub continent's bountiful table.
It is a perfect spot to cook and holiday - fabulous
produce, seafood caught fresh each morning, hands on
cooking and plenty of time for the beaches, restaurants,
markets and the good life.
Much
of India's vast and incredibly diverse cuisine lies
veiled from the Westerner's eye. This culinary week
will open up the country's cuisine to you . . . Indian
food the way Indians cook it. You will learn about the
mustard laden flavours from the east and the coconut
rich cooking of the south; the aromatic biryanis of
the north and of course the local Goan favourites. You
will make your own masalas, learn about how to use spices
correctly and be shown the fundamental techniques of
Indian cooking. The course is designed to wean you off
your recipe book and cook with 'andaza', which
means 'approximation by experience' and will
have you confidently turning out glorious Indian meals
with accustomed ease.
Cooking
is at a magnificent specially designed kitchen, in a
Portuguese mansion overlooking the Mandovi River. After
each session, you will lunch on the tropical outdoor
verandah, where you have spectacular views of Panjim
city across the water and can watch the fishing boats
go by.
Judy,
your chef and host is a food maestro. Her cooking is
big hearted and generous - she loves fresh ingredients
and stints on nothing. 'Food', she exclaims,
'just has to be delicious!'. She is an instinctive
and knowledgeable cook as well as an entertaining and
inspirational teacher and you will find cooking with
her fascinating and fun. She will also take you around
the markets, where you will be able to buy spices and
utensils and see the fantastic fresh produce. She will
help you pick up a bargain or two!
Indian
hospitality is legendary and gracious. Here the guest
is god and we hope you will feel welcomed, enriched
and at home. Non-cooking companions are welcome too.
For further information - click
here
Italy
. . . cooking in Tuscany
 Sophia
Loren once famously said that she owed everything to
. . . spaghetti. With a nation this passionate about
their food, there is only one real way to learn to cook
it - in Italy with Italians - and where better than
Tuscany?
Spend
a week at this gorgeous Tuscan villa near Arezzo, soaking
up the sun, the food, the wine and the good life. Italian
chef Franco has traveled widely and his cooking style
- an exciting combination of classic Italian and modern
- reflects that. You will learn all the fundamentals
of Italian cooking: a wide range of antipastas and pastas
- rolled out yourself with Tuscan fillings and delicious
sauces - pizza baked in the wood-burning oven, polentas,
pepper sauces, pannacotta . . . it is all there for
the cooking! Most excitingly, as the estate has five
acres of truffle land you will learn about the different
kinds and how to use them. If you are lucky you may
even see the truffle hunter and his dog in action and
get to take home your very own snuffled truffle!
The
sessions are a lot of fun but your hosts never forget
you are on holiday. There is plenty of time to relax,
swim in the villa's solar heated pool, laze in the hot
tub or the steam room, go for drives and explore the
spectacular area. The villa lies on a thirty acre private
estate with breathtaking views over the hills and valleys
and you can have wonderful walks. There are twelve ensuite
well furnished bedrooms. There is also a fitness suite,
volleyball and badminton for the more energetic. Non-cooking
companions will have plenty to do and are welcome to
come along, enjoy the villa and tuck in with everyone
else at dinner.
For further information - click
here
Indonesia
. . . cooking in East Bali
 Ngajeng,
meaning Eat in Balinese, is an exclamation you
will often hear when passing someone who is eating.
Sadly it is not an invitation to join the meal but an
apology for tucking in when the passerby is not! It
is an expression of Bali's strong sense of community
and the great cultural importance attached to food.
This stylish, secluded resort was the first to open
a cooking school in Bali - a carefully conceived course
that beautifully combines the inseparable - cooking
and culture.
Set
amidst a coconut grove, the resort nestles between the
sea and the majestic Mount Agung, Bali's most sacred
mountain in unspoilt East Bali. This area of the island
is renowned for its spectacular beauty, where the steep
rise from coast to mountain creates breathtaking scenery.
The local people follow a traditional lifestyle, whether
it is cultivating rice, farming, fishing, weaving the
famous double ikat textiles or salt making, all of which
you will get to see. Cooking is a wonderful mix - you
will cook with the locals in Balinese villages, sear
seafood beachside in secluded coves, as well as help
prepare a sumptuous banquet with the hotel's chefs.
You will learn about the many different rices and how
to cook them as well as the satays, sambals, condiments
and sweets that make this cuisine such a treat for the
taste buds. There will be a fascinating trip to one
of the busiest village markets as well as a host of
cultural activities including music and dance.
The
resort is beautifully designed - a contemporary interpretation
of traditional Balinese architecture. All rooms face
the ocean with clear views across the straits to Nusa
Penida. It also has an excellent spa. If you?d like
to extend your stay in the hotel has a sister property
in beautiful Ubud, the island's cultural heart. A perfect
combination of coast and culture.
For further information - click
here
Indonesia
. . . cooking in South Bali
 If
you want to learn how to cook south east Asian food
in unabashed luxury, then the Four Seasons, Jimbaran
Bay is the place to do it! Right on the southern tip
of the island of Bali, the luxurious resort lies on
a picturesque hillside gently sloping down to the beach,
with spectacular views over the bay.
The
state of the art Cooking School is in it?s own air-conditioned
building. Enormous glass doors flood the kitchen with
light. As you would expect it is professionally equipped-
gleaming granite surfaces, steamers, roasters, you name
it, they have it. Despite the grand facilities, classes
are intimate with the dedicated school chef working
interactively with a maximum of ten participants. During
your week you have 3 cooking sessions and your chef
will also take you down to the local food market. You
eat your creations in the shaded courtyard or in the
school?s elegant Balinese dining space.
Your
own private villa overlooking the sea?is the last word
in luxury. This is your entirely your own 2000 square
feet of sheer indulgence. Designed the Balinese way
the villa has 3 graceful pavilions: an open sided living/dining
area, an air-conditioned sleeping pavilion and one for
bathing. In the secluded private garden is an outdoor
Balinese shower, a private sundeck and your own plunge
pool. You don?t have to see another soul if you don?t
want to and even breakfast is a la carte at the villa
if you choose. The hotel also has a lavish spa so between
cooking and lazing on your own sundeck, you can pamper
your self with skin polishes, massages and floral baths?
For further information - click
here
Jordan
. . . cooking in Petra
 Jordan
is literally spilling over with wonders - seemingly
impossible to travel a square mile without coming face
to face with lost cities, awesome biblical fact or breathtaking
natural marvels. The wondrous Deserted City of Petra,
the Dead Sea formed by catacalysmic geological change,
Mount Nebo where Moses is said to have last been seen
. . . it does not get much more epic than this. Even
eating is epic here . . . feasting is a national preoccupation.
Jordanians are the most hospitable people and sharing
their spectacular food is their favourite way of expressing
it!
The
cuisine belongs to the great Arabian culinary traditions
with strong Lebanese influences, and is amongst the
world's most sophisticated and elaborate. The mezze
alone is so grand and satisfying that it could be considered
a feast in itself - nutty Hummus, herby Tabouleh, hot
Falafel and the endearingly named Baba Ghanouj to list
only a few. But the banquet is only just beginning!
There are melt in your mouth kebabs, unleavened breads,
divine meats, fragrant rices with nuts and almonds,
honey drenched desserts . . .
That
Petra exists is incredible enough. That you can learn
to cook Jordanian food in a dedicated cooking school
just outside the deserted city is almost more so! Between
exploring the ancient marvels with our guides, you will
cook authentic marvels too. Working hands-on, alongside
our chef and the local women, you will have a privileged
introduction to this ancient cuisine. You will shop
with the chef in the souks and gather produce
from the orchards and farms. The trip finishes at the
Dead Sea, for a weightless therapeutic soak, without
which no visit to Jordan is complete.
Accommodation
during the course is at a lovely four star hotel - the
Taybet Zamaan - a few kilometres out of Petra. The rooms
were once the little houses of an Eighteenth century
Bedouin village now restored with lots of character.
Some have views of the valley and others their own little
courtyards. There is a nice pool, a hammam and
a good restaurant. A tranquil and wonderful place that
is ecologically run, ever aware of its sensitive archaeological
location. At the Dead Sea you will stay in five star
luxury right on the shore.
For further information - click
here
Mexico
. . . cooking in Oaxaca
 The
heritage city of Oaxaca in southern Mexico is a place
of surprising contradictions. It is cultured and remote,
vibrant and laid back. Gastronomically rich, Oaxaca
is known as the land of the seven moles - the complex
and rich sauces that are the mainstay of Mexican cuisine.
It is overflowing with markets, fantastic food and culinary
history. With it's Spanish colonial architecture, narrow
streets and imposing squares peppered with restaurants
and coffee houses this is unsurpassable place to discover
Mexico and its cuisine.
Your
chefs Carlos and Sylvette, both gastronomes and culinary
writers, with a vast knowledge of the culture of this
country share the pleasures of a good table and the
art of receiving Mexican style. Hands on convivial cooking
lessons are in an authentic Oaxacan kitchen. You'll
visit the colourful food markets packed with locals
doing their shopping for chocolates, breads, cheeses,
herbs and stopping at a barbacoas for delicious barbequed
snacks. There'll also be guided tours to the spectacular
ruins that surround Oaxaca. You'll have plenty of time
to just take life at the Mexican pace - sit at shaded
little tables, sipping (depending on the time of day)-
cafe de olla with chocolate, Mezcal with lemon, tequila,
fresh juices or excellent beer. The cooking course lasts
5 days but if you'd like to stay longer, we can extend
your visit. Non-cooking companions will have lots to
do while you cook and are welcome to join the trips
and taste what you've made if they'd like.
Accommodation
is at a small luxury hotel in the historic centre.
For further information - click
here
Morocco
. . . cooking in Marrakech and Atlas
 Marrakech
- the very word conjures up a world of ancient mystery.
A place of markets and storytellers, of narrow streets
and secret doorways, it is a land that lives up to its
impossibly evocative name. This holiday is a rare treat,
a privileged journey to the soul of the country's sensational
food, prepared as it has been for centuries. No fusion
cooking, no fancy equipment, instead a trip back to
the earth that will enrich you in more ways than one.
The
perfect combination of city and country, your stay is
divided between a lovely privately owned riad
in the heart of Marrakech and a little sister villa
in the verdant foothills of the Atlas Mountains. Cooking
is at the villa, where, working alongside Raja, a Berber
cook, beneath a vine covered pergola, you will learn
to cook the Moroccan way. Conventionally in Morocco
these fabulous cooks would be employed by well to do
families. She cooks using techniques passed down through
generations, with the assurance and skill that comes
from cooking being part of life. She speaks little English
and there will be someone to translate, though in some
ways this is unnecessary as you just have to watch,
join in and learn. You will cook a slow tagine
of meat or vegetables, you will grill marinated fish
over charcoal, you will make melt in your mouth meats
in the mechoui. While the food is slowly cooking,
you can swim in the pool and then dine al-fresco.
To work it off, have a leisurely stroll through the
foothills or the olive groves with the village donkey.
It is idyllic beyond belief.
Back
at the sumptuous riad in Marrakech you will be
taken around the souks; you will meet the fabled
spice merchants, you will even see couscous being rolled
by the local women. And to top the laden platter, the
food at the riad is outstandingly good and you
will dine memorably. Non-cooking companions will have
plenty to do and are invited to all the meals and to
taste your creations
The
riad in Marrakech is in a quiet ancient quarter
of the Medina, only a short walk from the Place Djemaa
El Fna, Marrakech's throbbing heart. The beautifully
restored rooms are all ensuite, built around a central
courtyard, with fountains and orange trees. Dining is
magical - on the roof terrace with spectacular views
of the city. The little country villa in the Atlas foothills,
where you will do your cooking and spend a couple of
days is a converted traditional Berber home. It has
three charming bedrooms, a glorious pool fed by mountain
springs and is surrounded by olive groves. Life there
remains unchanged as it has for centuries. A rare and
lovely retreat.
For further information - click
here
Morocco
. . . cooking in Marrakech
 This
riad, one of the finest in Marrakech, began as
a legendary Moroccan restaurant in the 1940's. Today
it is as an exquisite small hotel and its restaurant
is still one of the most fashionable dining spots in
the city. Located within the walls of the old medina,
close to the bustling Jemma El Fna, the riad
is perfectly placed to explore the city yet an oasis
of utter tranquility - private yet with an atmosphere
of ease, pleasure and gaiety. Refreshing mint tea seems
to appear from nowhere while you relax in the flower
filled patios, the elegant terraces or the refined luxury
of your rooms.
There
is another refreshing surprise for guests. Twenty minutes
out of town in a glorious garden next door to the King's
royal tree nursery is the riad's lovely private
swimming pool. It lies fragrant and secluded behind
high earthen walls, bordered by rosemary bushes, olive
trees and roses with the Atlas Mountains in the distance.
You can spend all day here, when you have had your fill
of the city, lazing by the pool and lunching at the
bar under the fig trees.
The
cooking lessons are in the Kasbah in the gardens by
the pool. Classes are intimate, limited to no more than
eight and everyone has their own workspace. The teacher
is none other than a dada - a traditional cook
with hands of gold. Aided by a translator the dada
shares her ancient and precious knowledge. Secrets are
passed on - a Briouate dough or a Flan aux Amandes,
a weightless Couscous, a Pastilla that melts in the
mouth. Vegetables come from the hotel's kitchen garden
- artichokes as tender as flowers, shiny eggplants,
tomatoes the likes of which are no longer to be found
- as well as coriander, mint, spices and fruit. Success
is in what comes out of the oven, delicious food that
you eat under the olive and fig trees.
After
a days cooking or exploring Marrakech sink into the
hotel's sumptuous hammam perhaps followed by
a massage or a mud bath and finish with dinner under
the hand painted ceiling of the restaurant. However,
the rooms are so beautiful that it may be tempting never
to leave them at all.
For further information - click
here
Spain
. . . cooking in Seville
 The
beautiful city of Seville is perfectly placed to explore
the food and wine of Spain - the region is so gastronomically
rich! Close to the great sherry, wine and brandy regions
of Jerez, a short distance from the Sierra of Huelva
that produces the world's finest ham and surrounded
by superb olive mills, Seville is a foodie's delight.
The city itself is considered the tapas capital
of Spain and eating and drinking are taken very seriously
indeed. We will show you some of the best and then our
talented chef will teach you how to make them! Cooking
lessons, with the emphasis on Andalucian flavours are
in the heart of Seville with glorious views of the cathedral.
Spanish
food is richly diverse, with wonderful and different
cooking styles inherited by her colourful history. Here
in Andalusia the Moorish influences are strong - figs,
pomegranates, aubergines and spinach abound. Seafood
is fried or baked in salt, and the Iberian pork is legendary.
Yet though the Spanish are devoted carnivores, it is
for the wonderful cold Gazpacho, so refreshing
in the hot south and made from no more than bread, tomatoes,
olive oil, vinegar, garlic and water that it is so famous!
You will learn that that is only the culinary tip of
what this fascinating region has in store. There will
also be fascinating tours to the wine, sherry and olive
oil regions and you will sample the fabulous local seafood.
Non cooking companions are welcome to join all the activities
except of course the cooking!
Accommodation
is at at the elegant Las Casas de la Juderia right in
the heart of the Santa Cruz quarter. Originally part
of the Duke of Bejar's estate, this collection of townhouses
and a palace is now an exclusive four star hotel. Oozing
old world charm with its characterful rooms, gorgeous
fountains, elaborate patios and arched pathways, yet
with all the comforts of the modern day, it is an atmospheric
hotel for an atmospheric city. Perfectly placed for
restaurants and sightseeing too.
For further information - click
here
Thailand
. . . cooking in Koh Lanta
 Like
the word Thai, which means free, our open
air beach side cooking school on beautiful Koh Lanta
island is all palm trees, balmy sea breezes and tropical
tastes! Thai food needs no introduction - combining
the best of Eastern cuisines, the oriental bite of Szechwan
Chinese, flavours from Malaysia and the creamy coconut
sauces of Southern India - not many of us have escaped
the seduction of a green curry.
Here,
at this creative and imaginative school, you will learn
much more. The workshops are hands-on, led by an experienced
Thai cook and you will learn by doing and tasting. The
menu is mainly based on seafood and vegetables and vegetarians
are very welcome. You will be using the freshest produce
with suggestions for substitute ingredients so you can
recreate that authentic flavour when you get home. Classes
are fun and relaxed - sharing the pleasure of cooking
with other food enthusiasts, listening to music and
the sound of the sea. Bring your swimsuit, as you may
want to have a quick dip between courses or just relax
at the school's beach bar and watch the sun go down.
Your chef will take you to the local market, a fascinating
experience, which will give you a rare insight into
the flavours of this gentle country.
The
tiny island of Koh Lanta set amid the turquoise blue
waters of the Andaman sea, remains one of the least
developed and most tranquil of all Thailand's southern
isles. Your stay on the island is at the sumptuous Layana
boutique resort and spa. In keeping with its name meaning
'a pause in time', the hotel is a haven of luxury.
Facing a white sandy beach and backed by forested hills,
the pavilion style rooms are luxurious, the infinity
saltwater pool sublime, the atmosphere simple and elegant.
A wonderful place to stay.
For further information - click
here
Thailand
. . . cooking in Chiang Mai
 ‘Lanna’
the name of the region around Chiang Mai means ‘a
million paddy fields’ and the Four Season’s
Cooking School is set in the Mae Rim valley, overlooking
terraced rice fields and misty mountains. Four Seasons
properties are spectacular and this resort - tranquil,
panoramic yet minutes from Chiang Mai, the artistic
and cultural capital of north Thailand - is no exception.
The hands-on lessons at the stunning Lanna cooking school
is the hands down most luxurious way to learn to cook!
The
cooking school pavilion, built with rich timber floors,
zinc exhaust fans and huge glass doors is a fabulous
workspace. Each participant has their own cooking station
and the open air dining terrace has spectacular views
of the mountains and gardens. You can choose your three
cooking sessions from six different cooking modules,
each covering different aspects of Thai cuisine –
from spicy salads to soups, traditional curries to elaborate
five course Thai meals. You are encouraged to use the
proper names for dishes, so Kaow Soi Kai or Kaeng
Hung Lay will soon be rolling off your tongue as
effortlessly as you will be turning out perfect crispy
fish. In the schools herb gardens there is lemongrass,
ginger, galangal, turmeric and garlic . . . and there
is a morning trip to an exotic local market with all
its wonderful sights, sounds and smells.
You
will stay in a garden pavilion, a luxurious living space
with high ceilings and teak floors. Each pavilion set
in two storey groups of four, has a bedroom with its
own sitting area. This extends on to a Thai ‘sala’
– a private outdoor living space with wood floors,
a Thai style daybed, dining table and a cooling fan
wafting high overhead. The bathroom with a deep soaking
tub overlooks the beautiful secluded gardens. And while
you are not cooking or luxuriating in your spacious
pavilion, you can pamper yourself at one of the world’s
finest tropical spas – a temple of rejuvenation!
Non
cooking companions can lap up the luxury while you learn.
For further information - click
here
Vietnam
. . . cooking in Hoi An
 Vietnam
is a fascinating country – rich in history, beautiful,
friendly and with sensational cuisine. Our chosen location
is the charming heritage town of Hoi An. Situated at
the river mouth of the beautiful Thu Bon River, this
UNESCO listed town of ancient streets and historic architecture
is the perfect combination of coast and culture. Hoi
An has some of the best restaurants, art galleries and
handicraft shops in Vietnam, yet a short bike ride from
town you have kilometres of tropical beaches to yourself.
The
food in this country of eighty million people differs
strikingly between the north, south and central regions,
but two things hold sway everywhere. First, rice plays
an essential role in the nation's diet. Second, this
is also a noodle crazy population, regularly downing
them for breakfast, lunch and dinner, in homes, restaurants
and at roadside stands. North Vietnamese food reflects
its Chinese influence, while the Mekong Delta in the
south combines a wide variety of fresh fruits, vegetables
and herbs. Central Vietnam’s signature is the small
strongly flavoured dishes often made with that vital
ingredient - fish sauce.
The
hands on cooking sessions will cover all three regions
at our picturesque school right on the river. Our Vietnamese
chef is an experienced restaurateur and often appears
on culinary TV both in Vietnam and abroad. Fluent in
English, he is a good teacher with an infectious sense
of humour. You will explore the fascinating markets,
take a memorable trip to a fishing village and eat at
the restaurants the locals love.
Accommodation
is at the Life Resort in the French colonial quarter,
a stylish four star property with all creature comforts,
situated right on the riverbank and a five minute walk
from the shops and restaurants. It is also close to
the cooking school and transport to and fro is taken
care of. The resort has plenty of character and a great
pool - a lovely place to stay. If you would like to
stay longer in Vietnam you could choose to spend a second
week at Life Resort’s sister property, further
south – just enquire for details.
For further information - click
here
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