Espa

Cooking with Maria

Authentic Greek cuisine from a passionate home chef

Duration

3 hours

When

6 pm, daily

Languages

english

From

€82per person

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Maria is a native Athenian who loves cooking with others. Her childhood memories are full of family dinners where sharing, laughing and bonding between generations shaped the way she hosts her own gatherings. However, what makes her cooking gatherings so special is the warm atmosphere of her house with it's unique Cycladic architecture and ideal location in the heart of Athens.

This is a Private Tour

Our private tours can be booked as featured or be customized especially for you.

Highlights

  • Learning new recipes and new skills so you can create your own Greek feast back home
  • Seeing where food and the rituals of cooking really fit into Greek culture
  • Enjoying the casual yet warm hospitality of your host’s home
  • Eating what you make – the best part of any cooking class!

What you can expect

Forget the chef’s hats - in their own kitchens, your instructors will show you just how traditional Greek dishes are made right at home, where real cooking happens. You might find out how to make Greek cabbage rolls (the so-called 'Lahanodolmades'), for instance, a meal that’s as tasty as it is fun to put together, or learn to master halva, a sweet semolina pudding with nuts that may quickly become your favorite dessert. Whatever you make, it will be authentic, made with fresh ingredients sourced as locally as possible, and you’ll be right up to your elbows in it!

You’ll discover techniques as well as recipes, and you’ll hear, too, the story of each dish – where it comes from and what it means to the family of the cook that’s teaching you. Don’t forget that nearly all the cooks in Greece are home-taught, and culinary wisdom is passed down from generation to generation. On the other hand, each cook is different as well, so you’ll also find out how tastes and dishes have evolved over time. Then, once all the cooking and the teaching are over, you’ll get to eat everything you’ve made, in a start-to-finish experience that’s miles apart from ordering this meal at a restaurant.

These recipes are easy to learn and don’t involve any restaurant-caliber equipment or rare ingredients, so you’ll have no problem replicating them yourself back at home. Your cooks will also share helpful kitchen tips and explain variations on the dishes as well.

This is not cooking under pressure; instead, it’s a relaxed introduction to Greek cuisine that works whether you’re an occasional cook or an aspiring chef. It’s also a great chance to see another aspect of Greek society – in Greece, the kitchen is the heart of every house, and probably half of all daily conversations between friends or family begin with: “What are you having for dinner?” This means that with this lesson, as well as learning recipes, you’ll learn a little more about the national character, too.

 

Practical info

Duration
3 hours
Languages
english
When
6 pm, daily
Group size
Up to 8 people

What's included

  • Preparation of the meal
  • Food and drinks as described in the menu

Not included

  • Transportation to/from your guest's home

Notes

  • Your hosts need some time to prepare a memorable experience for you so bookings need to be made at least 2 days before the date you want to immerse in the Greek cuisine. 
  • Maria can also accommodate vegetarians and vegans if you secure a private experience with her. If you suffer from any food allergies or have special dietary requirements, you are kindly requested to contact us in advance before booking this tour.
  • Maria has a lovely dog, named Joya, and a lazy cat, named Cooper, who both love meeting new people. So, take into account that this is a pet-friendly house.
  • Your meeting location is in in Athens City Centre. Detailed meeting instructions will be sent to you upon booking.
  • This activity does not operate on January 1st and December 25th.
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You'll love:

Coming away with new techniques, recipes and edible souvenirs!

Cooking with Maria
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