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Jody Eddy: Culinary Tour of Iceland

Posted on January 2, 2013 in Iceland, International Tours, Multi-Day Culinary Tours, Search by Location

We are excited to announce our inaugural culinary adventure in Iceland, August 16th-23rd, 2013. Its extraordinary people, landscape and cuisine never cease to amaze and inspire and I am thrilled to invite you to explore the unique beauty of Iceland with me.

No other culinary tour of this nation offers the unique gastronomic adventures of Iceland Culinary Tours. Hosted by myself and Icelandic chef Kjartan Gislason, each day is designed to ignite your senses, fuel your dreams, and inspire your sense of adventure.

Between dips in geothermal pools, afternoons of Icelandic horseback riding, and sailing tours to remote northern islands, you will be introduced to many of the traditional food producers Jody is profiling in the cookbook she is co-writing with chef Gunnar Karl Gislason of Dill in Reykjavik.

These visits will provide one-of-a-kind opportunities to learn about the fascinating culinary history of Iceland from the people who are sometimes single-handedly preserving their nation’s gastronomic traditions. Jaw-dropping vistas of thunderous waterfalls, snow-capped mountains, and smokey geysers will exalt our imaginations as unforgettable meals with some of Iceland’s most celebrated chefs sate our appetites.

We invite you to join us on this unforgettable Arctic culinary adventure!

TOTAL COST: $3900*

* This price is for a double room. We will be happy to match you with a roommate should you be a solo traveler. Should you prefer a single room, a supplemental fee of $350 applies.

The trip will include a total of 12 guests

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A Taste of Spain: The Ultimate Foodie Tour of Spain

Posted on September 26, 2012 in International, International Tours, Multi-Day Culinary Tours, Search by Location, Spain, Uncategorized

Experience what’s cooking in Spain! Join us for a culinary tour through Madrid, La Rioja, the Basque Country and Catalonia.

  • Savor the great food which Spain is famous for: from Tapas and Paella to Basque Gastronomic Societies and avant-garde cuisine
  • Immerse yourself in the vibrant culinary and cultural scene of Madrid, San Sebastian and Barcelona – with accommodation at 4* centrally located hotels
  • Visit the colourful Boqueria food market with our local expert chef, and join him in a hands-on Mediterranean cooking class
  • Enjoy a second – truly unique – cooking class, this time at a famous  members-only Gastronomic Society in San Sebastian
  • Taste and learn about extraordinary Rioja wines and Spanish Olive oils through private visits to traditional producers
  • Discover the fascinating world of Ibérico ham and Sherry wines on a special meal themed around these extraordinary products
  • Experience the diverse cultures, landscapes and foods of Spain by the hand of our local culinary guide

When:

  • September 30th to October 7th, 2012
  • May 12th to May 19th, 2013
  • September 29th to October 6th, 2013

Group size: 10 to 16 persons

What’s included:

  • Expert English-speaking local culinary guides throughout the itinerary
  • Deluxe private bus for all transfers and excursions
  • Domestic airfare Bilbao-Barcelona in Economy class
  • 7 nights’ accommodation in double room, at selected 4* hotels
  • Buffet breakfast daily
  • Welcome drink with tapas
  • 6 lunches as per the itinerary – 2 of them following private cooking classes –  all accompanied with fine Spanish wines
  • 3 dinners as per the itinerary, all accompanied with fine Spanish wines
  • Private culinary/cultural visits and activities as per the itinerary
  • Entry fees as per the itinerary
  • Gourmet Gift
  • All local taxes

Pricing:

  • 2.630 Euros per person
  • Single supplement: 425 Euros
  • International airfare not included

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The International Kitchen: Moroccan Flavors Tour – Morocco

Posted on July 26, 2012 in International, International, International Tours, Morocco, Morocco, Multi-Day Culinary Tours, On-Location Cooking Schools, Search by Location

About the location: Many food experts say that Morocco has the best cuisine in Africa, perhaps even in the top five of the world. From the narrow streets in the ancient medinas to the Berber villages down south, Morocco is a mysterious and alluring destination and should definitely be on your “must visit” list. While experiencing this diverse and yet culturally rich country, your senses will be stimulated; while learning, cooking, and tasting the flavorful tagines, salads and patisseries of Morocco.

About the lessons: This tour includes four cooking classes, each totally different in their styles; from cooking in a traditional dar (house), to cooking over the charcoal in the Berber village. Your classes will be taught by a number of different chefs, each with vast experience in Moroccan cuisine. Each of our teachers speaks fluent English and French, and their establishments are licensed by the government. After spending the days exploring Morocco, you will return to your accommodations (hotels or riads) for the evening.

Riads are beautifully restored houses, usually with a garden inside, that offer the perfect blend of luxury, comfort, and tradition. Where riads are not available, we have chosen high quality four and five star hotels. Seeing the country through the eyes of a Moroccan will open the doors into some of the secrets of the culture. Your driver/guide will accompany you for the entire tour and will escort you throughout the country and make your holiday memorable.

What’s included:

  • Nine nights accommodations (riads and four-star hotels)
  • Arrival and departure transfers
  • Daily dinner (beverages not included) and breakfast
  • Three lunches (beverages not included)
  • Transportation as per itinerary
  • English speaking driver/guide
  • Professional tour guide in historical cities
  • Four hands-on cooking lessons
  • Excursions and entrance fees as per itinerary (excluding Hassan II Mosque)
  • Portage

2012 Prices
US$3655 per person based on double occupancy for 2-3 people
US$3045 per person for 4+ people
US$650 single supplement

Please add 10% for Christmas and New Years departure.

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Access Trips: Thai Culinary Tour – Thailand

Posted on July 25, 2012 in International, Multi-Day Culinary Tours, Thailand

Come with us to Thailand to experience an exotic gem, a country where the architecture and artistry are matched only by the friendliness of the people; where every flavor is more pleasing than the last; and where Buddhism binds the culture seamlessly. On our Thai culinary tour, we’ll head from bustling Bangkok to our relaxing riverside resort in Thaton, and finally, end up at the charming northern city of Chiang Mai. You’ll learn to cook incredible Thai food, explore the fascinating Thai culture, and enjoy the outdoors, including a trek through the jungle on an elephant! And at the end of each day you will relax in sumptuous boutique hotels.

Thai food is an exceptional combination of exotic sweet, tangy and peppery spices, fresh ingredients, and stunning presentation, and most who try it are hooked for life. Traditional Thai cooking is taught at home. Every mother is a “teacher” and family recipes are passed down from one generation to the next. Meals are always shared family affairs and are an important part of Thai cultural heritage. Therefore, our Bangkok and Chiang Mai cooking schools are set in home-style learning environments, with open-air, Thai-style kitchens, surrounded by aromatic herb gardens, orchards and rice paddies. Our instructors will pass down their family recipes, as they teach us about ingredient selection, combining spices into curry pastes, and preparation of full meals of Thai cuisine. And of course, at the end of our lesson, we will enjoy the incredible feast we have prepared.

DAY 1: Arrive & Relax
Pick up from Bangkok Airport and transfer to our hotel. Stay in 5-star riverfront hotel.

DAY 2: Sightseeing in Bangkok
Visit Wat Po for monks morning chant. Tuk-tuk ride to Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew. Welcome lunch followed by flower market tour. Evening visit to Chinatown & private dinner cooked by renowned Chinese-Thai chef. Stay in 5-star riverfront hotel.

DAY 3: Cooking Class
Long-tail boat ride to our cooking school. Tour the gardens, then move to open-air kitchen for a full morning of cooking. Afternoon visit to Jim Thompson’s House. Stay in luxurious 5-star riverfront hotel.

DAY 4: Transfer to Ban Tha Ton
Morning free. Afternoon flight to Chiang Rai, then drive to Ban Tha Ton. Stay in relaxing boutique riverside resort.

DAY 5: Golden Triangle
Drive two hours to Mae Sai, a border outpost with Myanmar. After lunch, drive 45 minutes to the Golden Triangle. Visit the Hall of Opium museum. Return to boutique riverside resort and relax before dinner.

DAY 6: Elephant Camp & Cooking Class
Morning drive to elephant camp and ride elephants through the jungle. Lunch at the camp. Drive to Chiang Mai and check into hotel. Late afternoon cooking class. Stay in stunning 4-star boutique hotel.

DAY 7: Chiang Mai Sightseeing
Rickshaw ride to visit dry goods market. Drive to Doi Suthep mountain and climb 309 steps to Wat Phrathat. Return to Chiang Mai for lunch at a local specialty restaurant. Afternoon free to relax, or optional visit to local handcraft factories. Stay in stunning 4-star boutique hotel.

DAY 8: Cooking Class
Half-day cooking class. Afternoon free for a Thai massage or last minute shopping. Stay in stunning 4-star boutique hotel.

DAY 9: Thai Culinary Tour Ends
Sadly, our tour is over today. Transfer to the airport for your flight home or stay a few extra days in Thailand.

Duration: 9 days

Dates: Year-round

Prices: From US $3490

Skill level: Beg – Int

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Sur La Table: An Insider’s Taste of Paris, France

Posted on July 6, 2012 in France, International, International Tours, Multi-Day Culinary Tours, Search by Location

Sur La Table’s 40th-Anniversary Paris Adventure! We’ve cooked up a foodie’s dream trip to Paris with the help of insiders David Lebovitz and Mort Rosenblum. Our guests will be treated to private demos and tastings in some of Paris’ most renowned food destinations, and our guides have arranged a once-in-a-lifetime culinary adventure that lives up to our reputation for being the food and cookware authority.

We’ll visit the legendary store that was the inspiration for Sur La Table, Dehillerin, and then dine at some of the most famous restaurants in the world, including Le Petite Chaise, Paris’ oldest. You’ll enjoy luxury accommodations at the 4-star boutique Hotel Bourgogne-Montana, savor the city of light with our guided tours, and master new cooking skills in a hands-on class with chefs from La Cuisine Cooking School of Paris.

October 15–20, 2012 6 days, 5 nights

or

October 22–27, 2012 6 days, 5 nights

Itinerary Highlights:

  • Five nights’ luxury accommodations in Paris at the 4-star Hotel Bourgogne-Montana
  • Three dinners: La Petite Chaise, the oldest restaurant in Paris; a specially designed dinner menu at Christian Constant’s Le Violon d’Ingres; and an 8-course tasting menu with wine at Verjus
  • Guided tour through the legendary cookware shop Dehillerin
  • Spend the day with author and former Chez Panisse pastry chef David Lebovitz
  • Late-morning espresso at the famous literary haunt Café de Flore
  • Hands-on cooking class with chefs from La Cuisine Cooking School of Paris
  • Meet Mort Rosenblum, the James Beard-award-winning author, for a private chocolate tasting at La Maison du Chocolat

You have two easy ways to book your trip. Make your deposit online and our trip concierge will call you. Or, if you prefer, call our trip concierge directly at 866.392.3302 to take care of everything over the phone.

$4,450.00 per person, double occupancy. Airfare not included. A nonrefundable deposit of $425.00 is required to reserve your space.

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TripFeast: Taste of South India

Posted on May 6, 2012 in India, International, International Tours, Multi-Day Culinary Tours, Search by Location

Once fought over by colonial powers for its exotic spices, South India still plays a vital role in today`s Spice Route. Blessed by two stunning coastlines, you will travel from east to west, from the Indian Ocean to the Arabian Sea. Along the way, our expert chefs will have you serving up spicy Chettinad seafood and vegetarian dishes enjoyed in Tamil Nadu, and delicious dosas and idlis, South India`s signature food. With a visit to spice and pepper plantations, ancient temples and forts, and cooking lessons on the banks of Kerala`s shimmering backwaters and in the lawns of our idyllic homestays, this will be a culinary experience like no other!

Highlights
• Journey along the Spice Route
• Savour spicy Chettinad dishes
• Shop for local fruit & vegetables
• Dine with Indian families
• Stay in luxurious heritage homes
• Cook on Kerala`s backwaters
• Visit spice plantations of Thekkady
• Walking tour & cruise in Cochin

Duration: 14 days

Price: £1,695

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TripFeast: Delicacies of North India

Posted on May 6, 2012 in India, International, International Tours, Multi-Day Culinary Tours, Search by Location

Few countries offer as much diversity in food as India. Cook in the foothills of the Himalayas and in majestic forts, dine with families in their homes, go shopping for fruit and vegetables in local markets, and wipe your plate clean in authentic Indian restaurants. In between the cooking and eating, you will weave your way through India`s rich cultural tapestry, taking in colonial cities, stunning mountain scenery, and ancient forts and temples. Savour a whole range of cuisines on the way – from Kashmiri and Rajasthani delicacies to mouth-watering Awadhi and Bengali dishes.

Highlights
• Feast on authentic Indian cuisine
• Shop for local fruit & vegetables
• Cook in stunning locations
• Dine with Indian families
• Enjoy an elephant-back safari
• Visit the home of the Dalai Lama
• Marvel at the Golden Temple
• Walking tours of Delhi and Kolkata

Duration: 15 days

Price: £1,995

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Taste Lebanon: 7-Day Culinary Journey

Posted on January 24, 2012 in International, International Tours, Lebanon, Multi-Day Culinary Tours, Search by Location

Food is a wonderful means for one to delve into the soul of a culture and learn more about its people, their customs & traditions. Sitting down and breaking bread with a total stranger is a beautifully unifying and enriching experience. It is our endeavor with this journey, to share this experience with you.

If you’ve always wanted to learn more about Lebanese food and experience first hand what it’s really like to enjoy and make an authentic, lavish, Mediterranean spread then this is the journey for you.

This seven-day culinary journey across Lebanon will leave you with a well-rounded taste of Lebanon through each of its region’s specialties. You will visit six different regions: Beirut, Batroun, Tripoli, the North, Mount Lebanon, and Ba’albeck, savoring each local specialty and learning the process and technique that goes into making that certain dish that each area is renown for.This will be a very personal tour and you will be invited into people’s homes across the country to learn the authentic techniques behind their specialties. This is an opportunity and an authentic experience you would not have traveling on your own.The tour cost includes hotel, breakfast everyday, 5 lunches, 5 dinners, refreshments during the tour, culinary activities, transport to and from the airport as well as all locations on the tour itinerary, visa, and our English speaking services. Our affiliated hotel of choice is the 5 star Regency Palace.

Tour activities depending on season and availability:
Fish your own- boat trip (optional)
Harvest your own- short discussion on local farming
Demonstration on Arabic bread and the extra-thin mountain bread on Saj
Demonstration on sujuk & basterma (Armenian sausage & cured meat)
Demonstration on Kebbeh making (national dish)
Demonstration on baklawa/and or halawet el jebn (Lebanese desserts)
Kitchen Workshop on Lebanese mezza
Visits to Souks- ancient and new
Visit to a seven-story Middle Eastern sweets castle
Visit to a dairy farm
Visit to a butcher & bakery (watch process of sfiha, miniature minced lamb pies, from to start to finish)
Visit to olive groves & olive oil pressing
Visit to a vineyard with wine tasting
Visit to a Arak distillery (Lebanon’s national drink, similar to ouzo and pastis)
Visit to wild za’atar fields
Mouneh demonstrations; kishk, burghul, awarma, etc.

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Enchanted Expeditions: The Gastronomic Secrets of Ecuador

Posted on July 15, 2011 in Equador, International, International Tours, Multi-Day Culinary Tours, Search by Location

The biological mega-diversity of Ecuador transcends its many ethnic groups and their traditional cooking styles.

In Ecuador we can find one of the largest variety of soups in the world. For their preparation, a great amount of products is normally used among which we count the quinoa, maize, barley, green plantain, different varieties of beans, manioc or potatoes considered as king of tubers. These items when cooked together with different kinds of meat or fish or simply using dairy products and a great variety of legumes, fruits or vegetables can be deliciously combined to produce nutritious, tasty soups.

The chroniclers from the time of the Spanish Conquest tell us about a dish prepared by the Indians of the “Puna Island” in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of the Province of El Oro where fish was “cooked” or marinated in a lemon juice. This special variety of lemon grows in the coastal region and the dish is known at present times as Ceviche. This typical dish has spread to other coastal provinces and can be prepared in many different ways using different types of seafood as its main ingredient.

The various geographical zones and climates allow the production of native fruits and vegetables in addition to the exotic plants introduced by the Conquistadores. Certain fruits are restricted to small areas such as Naranjilla, a juicy tart orange coloured fruit in the family of tomato that only grows in the surroundings of the Cloud Forests on the slopes of the Andes. The great diversity and contrasts of the Ecuadorian cuisine is the result of merging the local products of the traditional cooking styles under the influence of the outside world.

This tour takes you through various regions of Ecuador where you will sample the typical foods and dishes of those areas. The journey begins with historic city and market tours of Quito. In Imbabura province guests sample bizcochos con queso de hoja (biscuits and cheese rolls) in Cayambe, are introduced to the role of the guinea pig in dining history and visit a cheese factory.
Agricultural enterprises are explored between the Ecuadorian highlands and the coastal area to San Lorenzo. A visit to Pedernales embraces a traditional cebiche manabita before a stop at the fishing village of Puerto Lopez where breakfast will include bolones de verde (plantain dumplings). On another day after a typical Guayaquilanian lunch the tour moves into the southern highlands to Cuenca, Ecuador's most beautiful historical city, for tours of the famous Gualaceo food market.

There is the option of going on to Galapagos on board one of our vessels… there you have a chance to savor all the dishes from all the regions. The grand summary of it all (this will add 8 more days to the journey).

Durarion: 9 days / 8 nights, with option of Galapagos extension
Highlights: regional food and dishes, Ecuadorian countryside

Price: From $1,718 per person double occupancy for two people to $902 for tours with more guests

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Access Trips: Moroccan Cooking Vacations – Morocco

Posted on June 27, 2011 in International, International Tours, Morocco, Morocco, Multi-Day Culinary Tours, On-Location Cooking Schools, Search by Location

OVERVIEW

This unique trip consistently gets overall trip ratings of 10 out of 10 and has been described as “the trip of a lifetime.” Join us and see why.

Journey to Morocco to experience a culture and cuisine that is at the crossroads of civilization, blending the most delectable Arabic, Berber, French and Spanish influences. On our Moroccan cooking tours you’ll head from vibrant Casablanca to the charming fishing town of Essaouira, relax in a tiny Berber village in the High Atlas mountains, and finally, explore extraordinary Marrakech, the most African of Morocco’s cities. Along the way you’ll learn to cook the local cuisine, bargain at souk (the fresh food market), tour the highlights of each area, and stay in stunning Moroccan riads.

INSTRUCTION

Thanks to the spectacular influences of the indigenous Berbers, Arabs, Spaniards and French, Moroccan cuisine is a feast for the senses. On our Moroccan culinary vacation you’ll learn about the tools of a Moroccan kitchen, most notably the Berber tajine, where ingredients are layered one upon the other to create a scrumptious stew, and about the exotic array of spices that contribute to the rich flavors. Our instructors will show us how to prepare and combine the ingredients, and then we’ll enjoy the end result as we sit down to enjoy our meal.

Our Moroccan culinary vacation includes cooking workshops to prepare the following meals:

– Mediterranean salad and fish tajine, using the fresh catch of the day
– Berber BBQ, using the produce you select at the local souk
– Berber salads, beef or lamb tajine, chicken tajine and fruit desert
– Scrumptious Berber crepes
– Moroccan soup and traditional Moroccan couscous.
– Lemon chicken, beef with prunes and almonds, and Moroccan desert

Note: These menu items are subject to change

ITINERARY

DAY 1: Arrive & Relax
Pick up from Casablanca’s Mohammed V International Airport airport and transfer to our hotel.

DAY 2: Moroccan Cooking Vacation Begins
Morning tour of Casablanca, including the massive Hassan II mosque. Afternoon 4-5 hour drive to charming Essaouira. Stay in exquisite riad overlooking the ocean.

DAY 3: Essaouira Tour & Cooking Class
Explore Essaouira and enjoy lunch on the beach. Late afternoon cooking class. Stay in exquisite riad overlooking the ocean.

DAY 4: Explore Essaouira & Drive to High Atlas
Relaxing morning in Essaouira followed by a 3-4 hour drive to a Berber village in the High Atlas mountains. Enjoy tea with a local family. Stay in charming mountain riad.

DAY 5: Visit the Souk & Cooking Classes
We’ll take our donkey to the souk to buy cooking supplies. Two cooking workshops for lunch & dinner. Stay in charming mountain riad.

DAY 6: Explore the High Atlas & Cooking Classes
Morning cooking class, followed by a tour of local villages. Afternoon cooking class. Stay in charming mountain riad.

DAY 7: Discover Exotic Marrakech & Cooking Class
Morning drive to Marrakech and full-day tour of Marrakech. Late afternoon cooking class. Stay in stylish riad in the medina.

DAY 8: Explore Marrakech
Full day to explore the Marrakech medina and souks, and the fascinating main square, Djemaa el-Fna. Stay in stylish riad in the medina.

DAY 9: Depart – Morocco Cooking Tour Ends
Drop off at Marrakech airport, transfer by private car to Casablanca airport, or stay on for Marrakech or Fez extensions.

Please note: This itinerary is designed to give you an idea of what to expect during our trip but is not set in stone. What we actually do on a given day is flexible and can be tailored to weather conditions and the interests of the group.

Book this trip more than 4 months in advance and save 5%!

Prices from $2790

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