Private Traditional Cretan Cooking Class in the Mountains, Chania

Explore Crete's cuisine firsthand in this traditional cooking lesson at a local family's home.

Overview

Immerse yourself in Crete's world-renowned cuisine in this traditional cooking class. Travel to a family home nestled high in the White Mountains (or Lefki Ori), which overlooks both mountains and the sea. Begin by gathering vegetables and herbs for your recipes from the garden. Put on your chef's hat and prepare Cretan dishes that may include dakos (Cretan salad) and the cheese pie kalitsouni, while learning about the origins of these specialties. Explore the family home, which features Cretan weaving and artifacts. Finally, relax with a glass of local wine and enjoy the meal you prepared.

Highlights

  • Pick vegetables and herbs in the garden to use for your recipes
  • Sample local wine and cheese
  • Learn about Crete's traditional agriculture and the philosophy behind the Mediterranean diet
  • Take in stunning views of both mountains and sea
  • Discover the origins of some of Crete's specialty dishes

Know before you go

Duration
6 hours
Recommended for
All ages
Group
Private
Food & Drink
Dinner Included

What you'll do

While many may know Crete for its ancient history as the birthplace of the Minoan civilization or its mythological status as the site of the labyrinth and minotaur, for some, cuisine is at the heart of this island. Discover the tastes and flavors of Crete in this cooking class that takes you into a traditional family home high up in the White Mountains.

Begin the excursion with a walk around the vegetable garden to pick the herbs and produce that you'll cook with later on. Thanks to its climate and landscape, Crete is the biggest producer and exporter of olive oil in Greece. Learn the history of these ingredients, as well as the various uses and secrets of local herbs such as dittany.

Next, put your new knowledge to use as you prepare traditional Cretan recipes. Top off local rusk bread with freshly diced tomatoes and cheese to make a dakos or Cretan salad. Mix up yogurt with cucumber and garlic for a tzatziki unlike anything you can find in a taverna or supermarket. Make kalitsouni or a Cretan cheese pie, which is a delicious specialty of the island. These are just a few examples of the dishes you might make in this class, although the options can vary according to the season.

Throughout the day, find out about different customs of Crete, such as the island's centuries-old weaving practice, which you can see firsthand in the family home. Learn about the benefits of the Mediterranean diet, which is believed to be the healthiest in the world. Enjoy a glass of Cretan wine and cheese before settling in to relax, savor the meal you just cooked, and take in the breathtaking views of the mountains and sea. Make sure to save room for dessert, as there are a variety of traditional jar sweets to taste at the end.

Start times

  • Daily
    5:00 pm
  • Sunday
    Not available

What's included

  • Transportation with an air-conditioned minibus/minivan
  • An English-speaking driver and host
  • A local cook to guide the class
  • Wine and food tasting
  • Traditional Cretan dinner
  • Apron and cooking utensils
  • All ingredients for your dinner
  • Commemorative gifts
  • Recipes and photos from the tour

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Like what you see?

Chat with our local specialists and let us help you customize your trip with experiences like this.

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