Cretan Cooking Classes. While we were visiting Kiani Beach Resort we decided to take part in a cooking class in Crete with Hand Picked Greece. Deciding on a cooking experience was a decision made on the spur of the moment. As the weather had been uncharacteristically bad. And we wanted to learn all about the food of Crete and take part in traditional cooking classes. I am so so glad we did as otherwise, we would not have experienced such a wonderful evening. Everyone agreed it was our favourite excursion of the holiday and we have made memories which will last a lifetime.
Cretan Cooking Classes – Local Cretan Cuisine
Hosted in a traditional stone village. In a converted stable, I would encourage all to take part in this culinary experience making traditional authentic dishes. I did wonder with a two-year-old in tow if it would work, but they were both very accomodating of him. Which actually meant Hubby and I also got a chance to relax and have the best experience. We knew we wouldn’t need to worry about Charlie who enjoys helping in the kitchen at home. He had already expressed a real interest in the food of Crete and couldn’t wait to learn all about the Cretan recipes and local ingredients.
Our arrival – Cooking class in Crete
Arriving mid-afternoon we were greeted with some traditional greek hospitality – nibbles and a glass of raki. Which is made on-site and a traditional way to welcome people into your home. It definitely blew the cobwebs away. Both boys enjoyed the Cretan cheese, olives and bread. I must say the sun-dried tomatoes are probably the best I have eaten for a long time.
Normally the cooking class in Crete is held outside in a special covered area which can take up to forty in small groups. However, because of the weather, they hosted us inside and we were joined by a further party of four. At the back, there was a beautiful kitchen area while in the main room the beams were hung with sage and lavender. Huge glass jars filled with organic hand-picked herbs lined the stairs. Around the room, there was a number of different local products – handmade oils and condiments. You could not get more ‘perfect’ for learning how to cook traditional Cretan food.
Prepping the food for our Cretan Cooking Classes
With red and white wine flowing freely we started to prepare the vegetables for the main course, a pork dish. Using fresh ingredients and follow authentic recipes from their Mediterranean diet. It was really good fun standing at the table chatting with the other chefs. Once all the vegetables were prepared, everyone got given a job to do. Including Charlie who added seasoning to the meat before mixing it in with his hands. Which he thought was great fun learning new cooking techniques. Once everything was mixed and seasoned we made lots of little parcels of the pork, apple, vine leaves and vegetable mixture ready for the oven.
Our next job was to move on to making a traditional food of Crete, cheese parcels, and making the dough on the table before letting it prove. Which gave us a chance to step outside and see the sun setting over the mountains in this beautiful location. The rain had gone leaving a very fresh smell in the air, but with clouds still caught in the valley. It was truly beautiful looking out over the olive trees and traditional village which surrounded us. If you visit when it’s not raining they have a number of animals in the garden including rabbits, chickens, dogs and cats which would have been a hit with the boys. There are also numerous places to relax and wander in the gardens soaking in the atmosphere of this unique setting.
It wasn’t long until we were all back at the table making the little (or not so little in Charlie’s case) parcels. Creating little circles of dough and fill them with a cheese and dill mixture. Once we had finished they were fried in a little extra virgin oil. The last thing we made was a garlic potato mash a traditional Cretan recipe. Mashing by hand and adding more garlic than I can remember, before lots of oil which made for a very thick paste. It was a very interactive cooking class which made it all the more special and not a greek salad in sight!
Eating the fruits of your creativity
The best thing about trying out a cooking class in Crete is eating the food of Crete! It wasn’t long until we were all sitting around the table with the generous spread of food in front of us. We spent the evening chatting and eating the delicious dishes we had made with our own hands. Not to mention the fact there was plenty of local wine on offer for wine tasting.
The food of Crete was glorious (of course it would be since we helped cook it). Watching Charlie soaking in the atmosphere was really something. It’s an experience which he won’t forget and for me what travel is all about. Immersing ourselves in the local culture and this unique cuisine. Just as we were finishing we were treated to some traditional Greek music. Sitting with the boys and listening to the songs with a glass of wine in hand is an experience that is likely to stay with me for many years. We left mid evening while the party was in full swing and a good time was had by all. It really was the best way to experience Cretan culture and a traditional Cretan meal.
Thank you Hand Picked Greece for your hospitality we had an amazing evening. Have you ever tied a Cretan cooking lesson? I would love to hear about your experiences with traditional cooking lessons in Europe. Please let me know in the comments below.
Related Articles
If you have enjoyed this article about Cretan Cooking Classes and are considering visiting Crete. Then you may find some of the other things we got up to during our stay interesting:
Elafonisi – Pink Sand Beach in Crete
Things to do in Northern Crete with kids
Family all inclusive Crete – Our Stay at Kiani Beach Resort
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We were invited to stay at Kiani Beach Resort over the October half term for the purpose of writing a review. This was one of the excursions we took part in during our stay which was arranged via Lets Crete. We paid for our own flights.
71 Responses
That is so good how it gets whole families to cook & interact together, really impressed.
There’s no such thing as too much garlic. SO good for you.
I love learning about food in other countries and this seems a great way to do it!
That sounds really lovely. What a wonderful, warm setting for learning more about the food and culture.
I have always wanted to take a cooking class! So jealous! Everything looks lovely and looks like you guys had a great time! Alright, off to find myself a class! Thanks for the inspiration!
What a lovely idea. It’s great to see children cooking.
Thank you for the review!
This sounds like a truly amazing evening! The food, the wine, the music, the atmosphere – so perfect! And that sky looked so beautiful! Cheers to more unforgettable experiences like this !
That is so good how it gets whole families to cook & interact together. That sounds really lovely. What a wonderful, warm setting for learning more about food and culture. It’s great to see children cooking.
This resort looks amazing! It is cool that they had this class for you during the bad weather. I love Greek food!
What a great experience, lovely photos
What a great idea – never thought of doing anything like this. Love Greek food and how fresh it all is.
looks like everyone had a great time x
Looks like a great place to go to and good to get kids involved too. A special way to learn about the culture and food from somewhere you’re travelling to!
This looks so fun! I would love to take a cooking class someday to sharpen my culinary skills. I bet it was fun to involve the kids.
Wow, this is so great and it is really a great to learn to cook other countries cuisine together with your family, such an amazing experience!
It looks like you everyone had a great and funny time. Really lovely! Photos are amazing.
I love Greek food! Your post made me really really hungry
Oh wow! What fun! Love a bit of Greek food.
wow this looks brilliant, the food looks amazing too!
Amazing place – great fun – an experience id love too
What a wonderful experience. This is something my 8 year old would really enjoy, she loves to help in the kitchen just like Monkey! 😀
what a great experience – I love Greek Food
Yum, this looks like a fab experience! I want to try! 🙂
This looks like a lot of fun and a great thing to do together with the family 🙂 It’s good that they are good with young children too, as it helps them to learn this skill from a young age. Would have loved to go to something like this as a child!
Why aren’t all Cretans very fat with such delicious cooking?
Looks like lots of fun
I just love that you had a family cooking lesson while on holiday. It’s brilliant! It looks like you had such an amazing time x
It is so really a fun adventure together with your loved ones. Yes! that precious memories can’t really be forgotten.
This looks like fun. I love the way the little one is managing the rolling pin like a pro.
Crete is such a special place.The olive oil is the best in the world.
What a great experience it looks like your children have really enjoyed themselves.
Ah I saw this on Instagram it looked fantastic. I could really go for one of those cheese parcels haha
this sounds fantastic! I’d love to experience something like that on a holiday 🙂 I never go abroad though, but I bet there are similar things in the UK to this
Sounds brilliant
My daughter loves cooking and baking, be nice to try and do some experimenting with her.
Hand Picked Greece sounds like a lovely place. Your resort is great to have organized such a lovely day for you and your little ones. Loved the photos 🙂
What a superb experience to have had as a family! I’d love to do something like that with my kids.
It’s so exciting !!! I love cooking and I’ll make a cake with my sister oneday ^^ Love your pics
I love Greek food, it’s always so delicious. Sounds like you had a great experience.
I’d love to try this with my two. They have absolutely NO interest in learning to cook. I think doing it in a situation like this would be more appealing to them both 🙂
Louise x
I would love to do this with my 2
What an amazing experience. I’d absolutely love to do something like this!
Katie xoxo
Mmmm, love the visuals! I am never sure what Greek cuisine is, so it would be good to learn! Nibbley bits are my fav, tapas style stuff
Fab idea to get everyone cooking looks tasty and healthy too
the food looks lovely and fresh
I love this type of food, makes meals more varied
What a great way to spend a few hours. Looks like a relaxed cooking session, the kind of home cooking style. I’d do this if I were there!
Wow all that lovely food looks delicious I love Greek food
How lovely to get to cook in a different country! The children look like they enjoyed it and that’s lovely to see. I like that big pan!
The food looks so fresh & tasty, I hope you all enjoy your time together creating wonderful food.
I love how healthy all of the food looks as well. I’m sure it must have been really fun.
I’m a big fan of teaching kids to cook , what a great review 🙂
I wish that cooking classes in this country were as family friendly
It is great that all the family are included!
Oh I love how the whole family is included. Just how a kitche should be in my opinion! Looks incredibly yummy too
So much fun my kids would love it
Looks so tasty and encourages kids to cook and understand what they’re eating!
I love making any recipe that involves mixing with your hands..! Great time!
This looks and sounds like so much fun; I’d love to spend a day this way.
This looks really fun, bet the kids enjoyed it
Sounds like you made some really delicious food here and had a lovely time!
I love how hands on this is, even for the children. Brilliant experience.
What a great idea – never thought of doing anything like this. Love Greek food and how fresh it all is.
Looks like a great experience
Looks like you all had a fabulous time
How do you spell “jealous”?! Looks an awesome activity – wow!
I must try more Greek food
This looks amazing! Love oils and bread and Mediterranean foods… so delicious 🙂
what a wonderful experience for the boys
So tasty and so healthy. A double win. Olives and Ciabatta. nom nom.