Authentic Cretan cooking in Panormos, Crete

Meet Mary

A self-taught cook, Mary is a strong promoter of the virtues of Cretan cuisine, one of the healthiest and richest cuisines in the world. Through the discovery of local cuisine and sharing culinary traditions, Mary feels strongly connected with her Cretan roots. She was born in Crete and worked as a producer in TV and radio. When she was young, her mother always tried to teach Mary how to cook, but all in vain, as her only interest then was to eat! Though Mary obeyed her mother when it came to the family’s organic product business (olives, vineyard, vegetables, herbs, wild greens), developing an interest for history, environment and healthy life. Much later in life, she bought a book about Cretan cuisine - it's history and traditional recipes, and that is how she started to cook. She then became one of the pioneers for tourism in the area and held professional seminars on Cretan cuisine, which was focused on simple, healthy, organic meals. Mary became a Traveling Spoon host because she believes that sharing local home-cooked food is the best way to remember a city that you're visiting and to experience the real culture of the place!

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

In-home meal (1 - 20 guests) In her stunning family-owned villa, which is by the sea, Mary has hosted cooking classes and meals for many years now. Her beautiful Cretan home has been a part of her family for many years. It is a short walk from Panormos, a pretty fishing village with a lovely beach and many bars and restaurants. In Mary's opinion, the secret of Cretan cuisine is simple recipes, with high quality local products. By sharing a tasty and healthy meal she aims for travelers to have a rich intercultural exchange and get to know Greek culinary traditions better. A typical meal at Mary's villa may include dishes such as local rusk, cheese and pickled vegetables, grilled lamb the Cretan way (it is called "ofto" and it's known to us since Minoan era), seasonal pie, salad and desert - fruits, or yogurt with honey. All menu's are seasonal, local and healthy, you can also curate a menu with Mary while booking the experience, based on your preferences.

Cooking experience (1 - 20 guests) As you enter the villa, you will be able to see Mary's garden and enjoy the panoramic views of the vast sea and the cliffs from the terrace, where you will enjoy your meal after your cooking class. Mary is a strong believer on keeping alive the culinary roots of Crete, and that means to cook with local sourced, organic ingredients, either from the nearby market or from her own garden. In your Crete cooking class learn to cook authentic Cretan food using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Your 3 hour cooking class can be a demonstration or a hands-on class, so don't forget to tell Mary your preference. You will learn to cook a first dish and a main dish - classic Cretan dishes such as ofto lamb or fresh seafood, pie made from local wild flora and fauna and roasted vegetables or a salad. After cooking, enjoy the meal you helped prepare with Mary as you take in the beautiful sunset (if you choose the evening experience). Alcohol is included in your experience price, and your host will serve you either wine (white or red) or tsikoudia-raki, a local alcoholic spirit, as well as herbal tea or fresh juice.

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