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

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.

Thank you, Yorgos! We absolutely loved the workshop! It was an incredible experience, we had so much fun and gained so much valuable information, not just about cooking.

We thoroughly enjoyed this market tour, olive oil tasting, cooking class and lunch. It was well organised and beautifully presented at the house. The food and the wine were delicious and the atmosphere very welcoming. We are a couple in their early sixties with three twenty somethings. They all enjoyed it. We had particularly good company in two Americans and four Dutch youngsters.