Cooking Classes and olive oil tasting.The real taste of Greece!

We had the most amazing day! We’d never done an experience like this before and didn’t know what to expect. That said, my friends and I agree that this was one of the most fun, memorable experiences we’ve ever had whilst travelling the world. Greek hospitality is second to none and to be invited into the host’s home to cook and eat was something else! We started the day with a tour around the old town, the open market and of course, some shopping! George knows so much about the history of the island and is great at bringing the history to life! We then travelled to his house where we took part in cooking classes, a tour of the old love press and then a walk round the olive trees. We then got the chance to sample all the food we’d prepared and it was out of this world! We honestly had the most amazing day and I would say, if you’re hesitating because you’ve never done anything like this before - just take the plunge and give it a try - you will NOT regret it!

Our host was very friendly and knowledgable of the area and its history. His tour through the market was very enlightening helping to share with us how the locals prefer to shop for their food, helping us with translations for Market owners that did not speak English. My mother and I were able to sample some local fruit at the fresh market and we were able to sample some Soft and Creamy Feta cheese at Paramythia Traditional Cheeses. The feta was out of this world , I have been to a local butcher recommended to me by another local guide and to the supermarkets to try their soft (like butter) feta cheese and they are not the same as Paramythia. Not only was the market experiance stunning with the quality of veggies, fruits, fish, and cheeses, but the Estate that hosted us for our class and meal were beyond breathtaking. Stunning views of cliffside towns, and open valleys. Very welcoming family, and Sylvia our cook was also very outgoing and friendly. Not only did we learn how to make the best cheese pie ive ever had , we learned more about Corfu and its history from a Family thats lived on the island for many generations. We learned about how locals prefer to cook, slow and steady is best , and we learned a lot about the Olive Trees found all around Corfu and how families have produced Olive oil on the island over many years. We got a tour even of the familys old olive press and how they used donkeys before modern technology. Our host was very gracious and even had videos and photos of olive oil production. And the outdoor kitchen area was Out Of This World ????, our cook Sylvia was able to walk us through step by step for all the food we prepared , even making suggestions for alternatives uses of ingredients or substituing an ingrediant for another to get a similar result. I was also a fan of the No Waste mindset of our cook. Not only was all the food beyond delicious but our hosts even offered a vegan alternative to the pork knuckle main dish for one of our fellow tourists. And our host was able to provide each of us the recipes for every dish we prepared, which was pretty huge for me as a cook. Our group was small of 6 people not including our hosts, and that was the perfect size for this class. It kept me engaged in everything we did throughout the day and really helped make the connection feel more personal. I had rented a car and did not need transportation, but our host provided transportation to the other guests and we both arrived at the destination same time. Not confusing on where we needed to go , GPS providing directions to the Estate. It was a beautiful drive up into the mountains about 20 mins. Overall I would give this experiance a 15/10 I Learned so much more than just how to cook some traditional greek food, and I felt very welcomed. I would highly recommend this to anybody that might think about visiting corfu and enjoys food.

First of all, this cooking class was just one of the phenomenal experiences I had with Corfu Outdoor & Leisure - the hiking trips they organize are second to none; I'll be writing a separate review about those hikes to give them the spotlight they deserve as well! I can begin by saying that this team is a collection of the most beautiful souls my husband and I have encountered during our time in Corfu. Yorgos is a Corfu native, born and raised, and knows the island and its people like the back of his hand. His extensive knowledge of the island's history and the natural habitats cannot be matched. The day starts off with a tour through Corfu Town, where you are introduced to the rich history of the island and the notable Venetian influence on the culture. You are escorted through the city's beautiful stone streets, weaving in and out of breathtaking architecture and bustling commerce full of vendors selling everything from kumquat products to linen apparel so characteristic of the Greek islands. You are put to work early, shopping for the meal you will prepare later in the day - we saw firsthand the seafood brought in just hours before from the Ionian Sea and the beautiful produce that lines the street aisles like a never ending rainbow. Next, you visit a local delicatessen in the Jewish neighborhood of Corfu Town where you'll see what true feta cheese should taste like and then on to a local bakery where you will pick out the bread that will be served with your meal. We wrap up the tour and head to Yorgos's personal home - a family estate that dates back to the 1700s and is oozing with a history of its own. When you arrive, you are greeted warmly by Lola, an absolutely lovely woman who helps those of us who are less culinary-inclined along the way! You are welcomed into his home like family and are escorted out to his patio where you are served a delicious "welcome snack" - a bruschetta-like dish served between two slices of homemade focaccia. A great way to get inspired for the culinary experience that awaits as you make your way over to his outdoor kitchen. The experience is incredibly immersive - you're hands on the entire time, working to create a menu of traditional Greek dishes that engage your senses from start to finish. You learn a lot along the way - the history and the "why" behind the ingredients used. While this incredibly hospitable team finishes preparation of your meal, you are taken on a tour of the grounds, a beautiful landscape of stone ruins, an old olive press and gorgeous olive and citrus trees. Just before the meal, your culinary education expands just a bit further with an olive oil tasting. Yorgos walks you through the process of producing olive oil and guides you through a tasting. You walk away with understanding much more than you did before about what makes a quality olive oil and what to look for when purchasing. You'll never buy olive oil in a grocery store again! Finally, you sit down to enjoy the meal you've "slaved over" (note the sarcasm - the entire experience was so much fun!). The dishes are paired so well together that everything complements everything else beautifully. All of this you enjoy as you sip on a beautiful local wine produced by a vineyard just meters away from Yorgos's house. If you have the time, and you have the slightest interest in exploring Greek cuisine, this class is a MUST. Thank you, Yorgos and Lola, for making this a truly unforgettable experience. You've imprinted on our hearts and have helped us create memories that will last a lifetime.