Do you love trying local dishes when on holiday? Would you love to learn about where the ingredients come from, and how to cook some of your favourites?
Most holiday destinations have cookery classes that you can join for either a couple of hours or a full day. Solo travellers, friends and couples who are enthusiastic about food could learn to cook in spectacular locations such as Crete or Italy.
Why not take time out of your holiday to join a local cooking class. Each destination has cooking courses that offer something unique and what better way to learn about a country, than learning the local dishes.
Here are some of our favourite cooking courses around the world:
CROATIA
Eat Istria offers one day cooking classes where you can enjoy a visit to local farmers and a fish market to source your ingredients.
The course takes place in the chef’s very own flat in Pula, or, if you are taking part in an outdoor class, in an olive grove in Medulin.
You are offered a traditional brunch so that you are not too hungry whilst preparing your delicious food.
The cooking lesson lasts about 3 and a half hours, during which you will get to taste the different varieties of olive oil, whilst learning how to pair them with different Croatian dishes.
Once you have completed the course you will eat the food you have prepared and learn about wines and how to pair them with food.
Transport is available from anywhere in Pula.
GREECE
Balos Travel offers traditional cooking lessons on the beautiful island of Crete.
Located at Metochi farm in Kissamos (Western Crete) the classes take part in the evening, so you do not have to worry about missing out on a day of sunbathing. The classes start at 17:30 and you usually return back to your hotel about 22:30.
On this course you will:
– Prepare traditional Cretan dishes using fresh produce.
– Learn all about the local herbs and olive oils.
– Finish the course with dinner eating the dishes you have prepared along with wine, homemade bread and traditional puddings.
ITALY
The Italian Cooking School is located in Certaldo which is a medieval town in Tuscany.
You will prepare and eat a traditional four course meal which will include an antipasto, fresh pasta, a main course and a dessert.
On this particular course you get to eat your masterpiece as soon as you’ve made it, this is so that each dish is served hot and freshly cooked.
Bonus: Wine and an apron are included.
TURKEY
Garden Kitchen offer cooking classes in Kusadasi.
You will receive an introduction to Turkish, Ottoman or Mediterranean food and learn about the ingredients that are used. Then you will prepare either a single dish or meal whilst learning some fantastic but basic Turkish cooking techniques and tricks.
Not forgetting the best part, at the end of your learning experience you can sample the delicious delicacy you’ve just cooked.
THAILAND
Thai Orchid Cookery School in Chiang Mai offers home-style cooking. Located only a few minutes walk from Tha Pae Gate and Sunday walking street, it should be easy to find.
You will take part in a local market tour before cooking the following:
Soup
Thai appetizer
Thai curry
Thai stir fry
Thai dessert
You will taste Thai snacks, seasonal fruits and lemongrass tea, learn about all the ingredients that will be used in the cooking, learn knife techniques and you will receive your very own free recipe book.
Tea, coffee and water are offered as refreshments and you can choose to either eat the food you have prepared there, or take it away to eat.
All dishes are available as vegetarian or vegan.
Courses run daily from 09:30am until 3:00pm, and transportation is provided on request.
MOROCCO
La Maison Arabe in Marrakech offers half day workshops conducted by a dada (traditional Moroccan cook) or a chef from their own restaurant.
Learn to prepare an appetizer and a main dish or a main dish and dessert. (Which will you choose?)
You have the opportunity to use modern equipment that you can find in your own kitchen at home, which will make it easier when trying out your new cooking skills when you return from holiday.
The best part: you get to enjoy all that hard work and go home happy and full.
So when you are on holiday you don’t just get to eat like a local, you can now learn to cook like one too. We would love to hear what dishes you have eaten on your travels and what you’ve learnt to cook back home.
Have you ever tried any of these unusual foods you may encounter on your travels? https://www.holidayhypermarket.co.uk/hype/taste-way-round-world-foods
Facebook
Twitter
Email 
