Testimonials
We have organised culinary adventures for hungry travellers from all over the world. Here is a sampling of testimonials...
Italy
Three perfect days in Florence, Italy “We had an amazing time. The hotel was very nice with great views and the staff was friendly and worked hard to make sure our stay was enjoyable.
Villa Lucia, Tuscany, Italy "I had the most wonderful time in Tuscany. The food was absolutely amazing. The villa was very beautiful. The staff was very friendly and helpful. The cooking course was awesome! I got to made fresh pasta, de-bone a fish. I had a great experience! I'm very very glad I decided to go on that trip. I wish I could have stayed longer!"Dewi M., Singapore Villa Lucia, Tuscany, Italy
Giuliano Hazan in the Veneto, Italy "The field trips were all memorable. ...even the 'locals' don't have the opportunity to visit the types of places we visited. Very, very special." Leon P., Palo Alto Giuliano Hazan in the Veneto, Italy "I feel as if I have a whole new understanding of Italy and its food and wine." Mitzi K. Giuliano Hazan in the Veneto, Italy "The Villa is spectacular, and one can imagine checking in and never leaving." Susan M., Washington Giuliano Hazan in the Veneto, Italy "It may sound like a cliché, but it was truly a dream-come-true. My trip last May was everything I had hoped — and oh, so much more! Arriving at the Villa was surreal, rivaled only by awe upon being led into my elegantly appointed quarters. Each morning I awoke with such eager anticipation for the trip that awaited us that day and the culinary adventure planned for that evening. I was NEVER disappointed — not for a moment — not once. To be able to cook alongside such a highly regarded professional in the culinary world was humbling without being intimidating... Marilisa was delightful. I felt that the unison of introducing the wine with the food was seamlessly orchestrated. I just simply loved it all!" Barbara Z., NY France "We just returned from France and wanted to let you know that we all were blown away by the cooking class... We all agreed the day was lively, intimate and packed with information... We give the chef and the course our highest praise and recommendations for anyone wishing to experience Paris.... Gourmet On tour comes highly recommended by me."Denise G. (Seattle, WA, US)
"I have returned! Accolades to you for giving us such excellent guidance. The cooking class was a highlight of our trip and absolutely excellent!"Sue W. (New York, US) Morocco Flavors of Morocco We were pleased with Mustapha, our guide in Marrakech. He not only did a good job with the historical and sights of interest, but was a great shopping guide as well. The entertainment at the villa, which included two different musical groups and a belly dancer were excellent. We also enjoyed some extras such as a camel ride, a Hammam bath, and Sue enjoyed her massage and henna application. We give the course our highest praise and recommendations for anyone wishing to experience Morocco.... Gourmet On tour comes highly recommended by us...”. H.Mather, US Flavors of Morocco "It was absolutely fantastic!" Perfect accommodation and the cooking classes were very relaxed and fun. My wife and I had so much fun and met some wonderful people. We became like a family and will stay in touch.... I must say the stay and course exceeded my expectations and it was a perfect gift to my wife.
THANKS! " Anders E., Sweden A Taste of Morocco
Flavours of the Amalfi Coast, Italy
"I really enjoyed the experience, and have already recommended your site to other people. The chef was very knowledgeable, and had lots of great tips."
Tony D. (Providence, RI, US) Marmorata, Amalfi Coast, Italy
"It was fantastic! Everything ran like clockwork. We could not have asked for more. Excellent value for the money... The chef Rafaelle was extremely knowledgeable. He made our cooking experience one to remember... This was a perfect tour because it included sightseeing trips covering the region."
Tony M. (NSW, Australia) Tastes of the Med, Italy"We both love food and wine, therefore, we feel this vacation was tailored made for us. Neither one of us had travelled along the Amalfi coast before, so it was a new experience and we were not disappointed. We found the people so friendly that you could not help but fall in love with the area - the natural beauty of the Amalfi coast can really take your breath away. While we have travelled extensively over the past few years, this vacation offered so much more than any other that we have experienced. From the time the driver picked us up at the Naples train station on Sunday morning to the time he dropped us off again on Thursday, we had a truly magnificent time. The itinerary was extremely well paced with a combination of culture, cooking and relaxation. Moreover, through the Chef's connection within the local community, we experienced opportunities that would normally not be made available to the local tourist. There are no words to adequately describe the Chef - she is truly wonderful and quickly adapted the cooking classes to our needs and desires. Staying in the Sorrento area, I had requested that we make desserts with lemons and without hesitation, she adjusted the menu and produced three outstanding lemon desserts. She has a unique way of assessing everyones' level of culinary confidence/comfort, thus, more experienced home chefs who not need to be taught the basics can quickly move through the recipes as she shares great tips along the way. The Relais is a stunning property overlooking the Bay of Naples and the hotel and grounds are very welcoming. The chef and her team made us feel at home so much so that sometimes we forgot that we were actually staying in a hotel. Our room was very comfortable, we did not want for anything more. The excursions to Fattoria Terranova, Quattro Passi and Lo Stuzzichino were excellent. Fattoria Terranova offered us a unique opportunity to visit the farm. We had an opportunity to make mozzerala cheese and see how they produce lemoncello. The family is very welcoming and offered us a sampling of the foods from the farm and local area. To really appreciate an area you must meet the people who produce the food. Quattro Passi offered us an outstanding gourmet lunch. They went out of their way to make us feel welcome by opening their restaurant on the one day that they are closed, this was only made possible by Carmen's relationship with Quattro Passi. The multi-coursed meal they offered us was truly spectacular and worthy of their Michelin stars. Lo Stuzzichino, a family run restaurant which very warmly welcomes you from the moment you enter the door. We had the opportunity to sample two lunches and were not disappointed, in fact we were very impressed. The excursion to Pompeii was something we both wanted to see. By travelling off season, we had the unique opportunity to visit Pompeii when there are very few tourists. Our guide was very informative and took the time to show us sites which normally would have been missed. We would most definitely go back! We would highly recommend "Tastes of the Med" - you will not be disappointed. We are very much looking forward to our next cooking vacation with Gourmet on Tour."Thank you,Susan and Norman J., UK Tastes of the Med, Italy "Thank you so much lot for all your help on our trip. Everything worked great and all your advices were precious. You were perfect with us! And... there is the hotel, Carmen and all Staff.Well, it is difficult to put in words all of our emotions. The hotel is amazing, beautiful, comfortable, cozy and well maintained. The course was delightfull and Carmen is great. Food is perfect in every way. And they were all so lovely with our boy! I can't tell you how happy we are. We can't describe our experience there. We can't tell you our emotions. It was a dream. It was not perfect just because we had to come back... We could live there forever!Thanks thanks thanks" Daniela, Marco and Miguel L, Brazil Cooking in a Tuscan Abbey, Italy“It is difficult to express how much I enjoyed this cooking experience at the abbey. The location was beautiful, the staff was delightful, and the courses were very fun, interactive, and energetic. I loved how there were only 3 other class participants. The group was very intimate and we were able to form close relationships. The course content was great as we learned many authentic dishes from a wonderful chef. He was very open and relaxed for the entire course. It was a pleasure to be in his presence.
There were also wonderful outings planned for our group each day. Going to the market with the chef was fantastic. Another highlight was visiting a master butcher and his restaurant. Sylvia gave us a wonderful private tour of the vineyard and winery. It was very beautiful and informative.
The accommodations were splendid. I loved being in an Abbey. I also enjoyed the amount of cooking courses and planned excursions. The balance was perfect.
Overall, this experience exceeded my expectations by far in every way!
Thinking of this trip puts a huge smile on my face. I enjoyed the people who I met and the course agenda and activities. The staff at the abbey really know how to treat you well and make you feel special!”
Rachel M., Switzerland
The wine tasting in Chianti was very educational and fun - beautiful winery!
The chef is terrific. We enjoyed our cooking classes very much. It was like three girlfriends just getting together and cooking - we learned a lot about cooking, talked a lot about life, and ate (and drank). What a perfect way to spend a day. Sharon was terrific when we said we wanted to try cooking something, she made sure it was on our menu the next day. She is a great teacher - never takes over, always encourages the class.”
C. Rheiner, London, UK
Three perfect days in Florence, Italy“My Mom and I had a wonderful time. The hotel was spectacular. The cooking course was held by a company comprising of three women who really like to cook. It was held at her home in Florence and they taught us how to make a traditional Tuscan meal. Paola was fantastic and could easily write a cook- book on traditional Tuscan cooking. I would definitely recommend your tour company. Thanks so much for a relaxing experience in Florence!”C. Peach, US
Three perfect days in Florence, Italy“We had a wonderful time in Florence. The cooking course was fantastic the shopping trip to the markets was an experience in itself!
The course was informative fun and hands on. Our two teachers were friendly professional and most importantly fun. We had an excellent cooking session followed by an informal and leisurely lunch, munching on the wonderful dishes that we had prepared and drinking very appropriate Chianti. We were taught to cook exactly what we had suggested with a few extremely delicious extras thrown in for good measure.
The wine tour of Chianti was a thoroughly enjoyable day. Our guide and driver were again friendly and very professional. The Vineyards we visited were not only beautiful but also produced some very fine wines. We felt thoroughly spoilt!! It was a fantastic day.
The accommodation was a dream. We had a lovely room with its own terrace.
From the room and terrace we had a panoramic view of the Ponte Vecchio and the Dome. Our evenings were spent sipping wine on the terrace and finding the restaurants that had been kindly suggested by our cookery teachers. We also tried the hotels restaurant and it was wonderful.
Overall we had a dream holiday. It fully lived up to my expectations and in fairness in some cases far exceeded them. I would give the overall experience 10 out of 10 and will be booking something else with yourselves within the next year!”Patricia K. (Ireland)
Cooking class in Florence, Italy"I thought this day was a great experience. Faith is a wonderful person and her passion towards Italian cooking was evident in everything she did. First class... Thanks for making this event happen on such short notice!"Brad N. (Washington DC, US) Villa Lucia, Tuscany, Italy
“We were so inspired by our stay at the villa that as soon as we returned home, we undertook to remodel our kitchen in the Mediterranean style. We shall never forget the beauty of the villa, Giancarlo’s willingness to share his many years of experience as Master chef, the thoughtfulness of the staff, the tours of the Italian countryside, and the lasting friendships we made. It made for a most memorable experience......” J. Schwartz, New York Villa Lucia, Tuscany, Italy“The only thing I can think of that could be better than visiting Tuscany is living in a lavish Tuscan villa while visiting there. The only way I can imagine topping that one is to eat great Tuscan cooking during the entire visit. To complete my dream, throw in informative, fun cooking lessons and wonderful people while drinking great wine. Oh yes, and Andrea Bocelli singing in the background. There you have our dream come true at your villa.We have vacationed the world over for 25 years and this is our number 1 pick.”N. Mazzanti, California Villa Lucia, Tuscany, Italy “My trip to Villa Lucia, was beyond my expectations. Our room was immaculate, which was amazing considering the building is 400+yrs old. The staff were the most hospitable people imaginable. They truly tried to meet every guests need. The chef, GianCarlo, was the real deal. He was very know-ledgeable, a fine teacher and an engaging performer. I had a wonderful vacation” K. Frye, UK Villa Lucia, Tuscany, Italy "I had the most wonderful time in Tuscany. The food was absolutely amazing. The villa was very beautiful. The staff was very friendly and helpful. The cooking course was awesome! I got to made fresh pasta, de-bone a fish. I had a great experience! I'm very very glad I decided to go on that trip. I wish I could have stayed longer!"Dewi M., Singapore Villa Lucia, Tuscany, Italy
“…The overall experience was an A++. What made this an enjoyable week were a number of factors. One was the staff. No organization is better than the employees who deal with the public and its customers. I am not sure where you found your personal, but they would be hires for me in the States...
An element essential for one to recommend this experience is the agenda as presented by the company. The head chef, Fabio could not have been better, let me repeat could not have been better. He was knowledgeable, friendly, not to much of 'himself', allowed interaction and question and answer...taught points of cooking and preparing (not part of booklet). His deviations from the booklet and the fact he took a list of requests of the students for various recipes and prepared them on Thursday and Friday were more than welcome and truly made our experience memorable. I was surprised and RELIEVED...but ALL the food was A-1 quality...the steak, veal, wild boar, cream..etc etc...happily nothing was spared in maintaining quality of taste and experience...any and all beverages were freely available which was nice.
The above two paragraphs are essential to be maintained if I were to recommend this experience to friends.
Quite impressive were the day trips...well organized...interesting...not too tiring...the knowledgeable personal…Catherine and Franco…were excellent and friendly. The day trips kept us busy, with the privilege of staying at the villa. The day trips were great experiences. Pisa, Lucca, wine country, olive oil...
The restaurant we were at Friday night had great food, offered many selections and was a nice treat, especially after Fabio cooking all week. I would recommend you villa and course any day."
Tony A. (US) Wine Experience Tuscany, Italy
"Thank you and all at Gourmet On Tour for an excellent trip to Tuscany. It was an unforgettable experience that we hope to match with our next trip through Gourmet On Tour."
Ethan B. (IL, US) Giuliano Hazan in the Veneto, Italy "The field trips were all memorable. ...even the 'locals' don't have the opportunity to visit the types of places we visited. Very, very special." Leon P., Palo Alto Giuliano Hazan in the Veneto, Italy "I feel as if I have a whole new understanding of Italy and its food and wine." Mitzi K. Giuliano Hazan in the Veneto, Italy "The Villa is spectacular, and one can imagine checking in and never leaving." Susan M., Washington Giuliano Hazan in the Veneto, Italy "It may sound like a cliché, but it was truly a dream-come-true. My trip last May was everything I had hoped — and oh, so much more! Arriving at the Villa was surreal, rivaled only by awe upon being led into my elegantly appointed quarters. Each morning I awoke with such eager anticipation for the trip that awaited us that day and the culinary adventure planned for that evening. I was NEVER disappointed — not for a moment — not once. To be able to cook alongside such a highly regarded professional in the culinary world was humbling without being intimidating... Marilisa was delightful. I felt that the unison of introducing the wine with the food was seamlessly orchestrated. I just simply loved it all!" Barbara Z., NY France
Cuisine and Spa experience Cote d'Azur, France"We had a wonderful time in France. Our week at the Mas was absolutely the highlight!
The hotel was beautiful and the service was excellent.
We had a fantastic morning with the chef and enjoyed every minute.
The fourth day we got for free was a wonderful bonus!"
Lisa S., South Africa Cuisine and Spa experience Cote d'Azur, France "We have now returned from Le Mas Candille, having enjoyed a wonderful 4 days in Mougins taking part in an amazing gastronomic experience with Serge Gouloumes who cooking is inspired. We had great fun with our cooking lessons on the 14th going to the market and then cooking with the ingredients plus a 'few extras' Serge had organised before hand. An 8 course lunch appeared out of nowhere and we learned so much from him by watching and chatting during the process. Our gastronomic dinner at chef's table was also a fabulous treat on the Friday evening during normal service in the restaurant.
Le Mas Candille is a spectacular hotel and I hope to return soon!"Linda D. (Ireland) Walnut Grove, France
“One of the best courses I've done, cleverly structured so that your confidence really increases as the week progresses. It's great fun too."Jenny M. (London, UK)
Walnut Grove, France
“It completely surpassed my expectations. Best deal out there and absolutely excellent course.” Cathryn P. (California, US) Three perfect days in Paris, France"This “inside look” was truly much more than a cooking class. The chef & guide shared how Parisians shop, cook and live in this extraordinary city. The experience is a treasure not to be missed!" "Your classes were the high points of my first visit to Paris." "Our Chef is an old friend 10 minutes after you meet her. She is an outstanding cook, an excellent teacher, and a radiant personality. The trip to the market was like Sesame Street for adults - many friendly characters eager to teach and to laugh.” "Today was a warm & wonderful slice of Parisian life. The shopping for ingredients at the market, cooking together in the chef’s home & then eating the bounty. This is a way to learn about the real Paris and also take some of France home. I have a menu to make for friends. I learned kitchen tips and serving tips and I'm ready to entertain family & friends who I left behind. I hope I get to come again." Three perfect days in Paris, France “Thank you for the fabulous food itinerary that you created for me. We had a wonderful time. The itinerary that you created for us was the perfect birthday present for my husband. He was so happy. We spent a beautiful day wandering around Paris and gobbling up all of the specialties that you recommended. Our lunch at La Crèmerie was probably the best meal I have ever had in my life--so far. The owner was helpful, spoke perfect English, and made us feel right at home. Our dinners on both nights were wonderful and the staffs were friendly and helpful. We certainly got more than our money's worth! I have recommended your service to a number of friends and I will continue to recommend it. Thank you for helping me make my husband's birthday present one that he will never forget." Amanda S., US Three perfect days in Paris, France"I just wanted to thank you for the tour - we really enjoyed it, and more importantly Chris had a great time. It made us want to live in Paris and be able to shop in those places every day! .....Thank you again – we had a brilliant time." Gwenan D, UK Three perfect days in Paris, France"There is no way that I would have found the two absolute gems that you listed in my itinerary." Three perfect days in Paris, France At long last I can tell you how we both got on in Paris as per your itinerary. Well, you are superb and we followed it to the letter and it went perfectly. Most of all we had been to Paris before... This time we saw the real Paris and because of you will return very soon. I'll be in touch....
Thank you again so very much" Sally P., London, UK Three perfect days in Paris, France “We followed your itinerary for our Paris visit and had a wonderful experience. Every place you suggested was terrific, and our lunch at Chez la Vieille was superb. We would never have found the place ourselves, and the cozy atmosphere and delicious rabbit was everything we hoped for. We were celebrating our wedding anniversary with this trip, and while the entire trip was wonderful our two highlights were dinner at Taillevent and your "food day". Thank you again for your assistance." Ronald K, US Paris cooking course, FranceWalnut Grove, France
Cooking class in Paris, France
"Loved it! So much fun and something different to do on vacation! The chef was very knowledgable."
Renee D. (San Francisco, CA, US) Provence's Top Table, France “We had a wonderful trip - really loved every minute of it. The hotel was exceptional and the course was fascinating.”Amanda R., London, UK Passport to Provence, France
"The Provence course was very well organized... Monsieur Bernard and his wife were all very friendly and helpful. I learnt a lot. Thanks to all of you!"Carmelita P. (Manila, Philippines) Passport to Provence, France"Really relaxed and informal, cared for in a genuinely intimate way. A small glimpse into a lifestyle I’d like to become permanently accustomed to! Lovely place, great food, charming and generous company, glorious weather, and aperitifs every day in the sunshine! A cosseting place, with a garden I’m very envious of, that is clearly the result of a lot of hard work and attention (as is everything about the holiday).Alex is a lunatic, irreverent and imaginative. He demystified many things as well as helping in both practical advice and confidence to try something more complex."Louise S. (London, UK) Passport to Provence, FranceMy mom and I had a wonderful time in Provence. The setting for the cooking course was postcard-gorgeous. The garden surrounding the Bastide, where we had our lessons, was lush, beautiful, and full of fruits, vegetables, flowers, and fragrant herbs.
We enjoyed the cooking classes immensely - we appreciated that we weren't just listening or doing menial tasks, but actually preparing each and every step of the 3-course lunches that we enjoyed each day. The food was absolutely delicious - the dishes we created are sure to impress my friends, yet are possible to recreate at home. I have nothing but wonderful things to say about the chef - he was a fantastic teacher, very patient, kind, and fun to work with. I could hardly believe that a Michelin-starred chef was sharing so much knowledge with us and then sitting down to a lovely meal with us each day. He was always happy to answer all our questions and seemed to be having as much fun as we were.
Also, the translator, Miriam, added immensely to the experience - the way she worked with the chef was very natural, and she had a lot of knowledge about the region, Provencal history, culture, and cuisine to share.....
Finally, I especially enjoyed the "extras" and field trips, such as when the chef showed us around his garden, picking herbs for us to smell, and the morning when we travelled to a nearby coastal town to visit the fish and produce market......
All in all, it was definitely one of the most enjoyable, memorable vacations I have ever had. The location and the cooking course were even more incredible than I had dreamed they would be. Thanks so much!"
Colleen K., California, US Passport to Provence, France “The cooking course and the stay at L'Cadiere were wonderful. Much more than I had imagined it would be and just what I was looking for. The professionalism and reputation of Mr Berard was unexpected, not to mention the 'three hat' restaurant.
Breakfast every morning looking out at Provence was pure luxury. I loved visiting the surrounding countryside and beaches.
The hotel was very comfortable and well organised by the extra-ordinary energy of Mrs Berard.”
Yvonne T, Australia
Passport to Provence, France
“The cooking course was a wonderful interlude and I am very pleased I went.
The setting -- the village of La Cadiere d'Azur -- is simply magical; a marvellously preserved medieval gem. It, alone, is worth the journey. The Hostellerie Berard is delightfully in keeping with its surroundings, while lacking nothing in modern comforts. And what a position -- those panoramic views from the restaurant! I must mention the staff -- they conduct themselves with aplomb, and in a friendly and unforced way they both accommodated my broken French ... and were themselves happy to speak in English.
Pleasingly, the strong sense of place -- Provencale -- along with echoes of long-cherished tradition, is carried through to the bastide where the cooking itself takes place. There is a true sense of stepping for a few days into a different world, away from the meaningless noise, rush and sameness of our more familiar world.
M. Berard himself embodies all the Provencal virtues -- full of charm, bonhomie and, of course, most knowledgeable about his topic -- the food of Provence. He is a most likeable man and it is a pleasure to spend a few days in his company. I learned a great deal from him and I came home with my culinary knowledge much enriched. And I had a very good time doing it.
I was the only non-French speaker attending the course last week. I did not find this a problem. Being surrounded by the French language in the kitchen somehow contributed to the atmosphere. At the end of the week I told M. Berard - in French! - that if I stayed for three weeks I would be speaking entirely in French. Nevertheless, I very much appreciated the presence of Miriam, a delightful woman, to help with translation.
...I would love to go back.
Thank you for the part you played in the smooth conduct of the arrangements.”
Lester V, UK
Escape to Provence, France
"The chateau was lovely and the staff so gracious and helpful. The cooking classes were fun and interesting and Chef Phillip was a good teacher with a wonderful sense of humor. It was a wonderful holiday.
Thank you for your assistance is the planning of this trip which was most enjoyable."Mary Kay G. (MD, US)
Escape to Provence, France
"We had a wonderful time. The accommodations were first class and the cooking classes were very informative-- we learned a great deal. Thank you."Escape to Provence, France
Fred B. (Boise, ID, US)
Escape to Provence, France
“The entire experience was excellent, from the wine to the food, sunrise to sunset.” Sarah D, CA, US
Escape to Provence, France "What an excellent experience and special treat on our honeymoon!
Escape to Provence, France "What an excellent experience and special treat on our honeymoon!
We certainly covered all the food, wine and cheese bases we wanted and more. The course was excellent and learnt some great tips.
The accommodation was also very good - fab location - and the food & wine was excellent.
We now need to get back into exercise after all the food we ate!" Alan J, New Zealand Bordeaux wine experience, France
“We had a lovely time. Organisation was great. Gaby the guide was fantastic and was extremely flexible to our needs. Thanks for your assistance!”
Nicky T., BNP Paribas (London, UK) USA Cuisine and Spa experience, Sonoma, California, US “I cannot say enough good things about classes and accommodations. The cooking classes are wonderful. The kitchens were splendid. The instructors were professional and fun. The assistants were helpful and gracious to all students. The food was great and the cake was the best I have ever done! What an incredible experience. Highly recommend this school to all.
The Inn was warm, comfortable and cozy. The rooms had all the comforts one could ask for. The staff very accommodating. The restaurant was excellent. Loved the spa. Had a facial done by a very professional and sweet young lady named Jill.
All in all had a great time and will go back. Thank you for all your help.”
Felicia M. (VA, US)
Cuisine and Spa experience, Sonoma, California, US “The trip was wonderful. My husband had an amazing time (he now refers to himself as a pastry chef after successfully making a tart) and wants to return again next year. Thank you for all of your assistance.” Jessica B. (UT, US) Cuisine and Spa experience, Sonoma, California, US “Thank you for your help in planning our wonderful trip! We had a lovely time in Sonoma. The accommodations were excellent- everyone was extremely courteous and we were quite pleased with our room, especially with the fireplace. I would recommend it to anyone who was interested in staying in that area because it is within walking distance to the main square but still far enough away to provide some intimacy from the hustle and bustle.We absolutely loved our classes. They were well-organized and we were able to be directly involved in all of the cooking and then enjoy our spectacular meals with the gracious instructors. We are planning to definitely return for classes on future vacations to California.
We simply loved the Sonoma/Napa region and have fond memories of our time there.”
Suparna S. (MI, US) Aspen Culinary Adventure, US"I have returned! Accolades to you for giving us such excellent guidance. The cooking class was a highlight of our trip and absolutely excellent!"Sue W. (New York, US) Morocco Flavors of Morocco
“The cooking school in Marrakech was a fantastic experience for us. It would be hard to improve upon the setting. The villa is beautiful. The room was spacious and the bathroom was especially gorgeous. The entire facility was spotless. Views from our terrace were outstanding and the grounds beautifully kept.
The entire staff went out of the way to be accommodating. From the Moroccan mint tea greeting at the door upon our arrival until the time of our departure, the staff was cheerful and helpful at every turn. The cook (Bushra) was delightful as well as extremely skilled. We liked the way she used all fresh ingredients and we discussed what equivalents could be found in the states for unusual items. We appreciated the way the staff joyfully interacted with one another as well as with us. A lot of the charm for us was having the fountain turned on, having rose petals around, lots of candles... We loved having fresh herbs and mint picked fresh from the garden.
The excursions to the Atlas Mountains, the Souk, and to other destinations in Marrakech were beyond our expectations. The driver, Dreez, took the stress out of getting around in Moroccan traffic.
THANKS! " Anders E., Sweden A Taste of Morocco
“… Thank you for making our birthday holiday such a magnificent experience-you exceeded all expectations many times over.
We had so many wonderful times, cooking, eating, shopping, learning Arabic, up in the mountains, down by the sea. Cooking classes were great and we will make many Moroccan dishes at home and think back to our wonderful holiday.
We have so many beautiful souvenirs and memories of our stay and look forward to coming back again soon.” Marianne T. (London, UK) A Taste of Morocco"From the moment we stepped through the door into the Riad, we felt that we were home, albeit a home unlike anything we had left behind in the states.
The riad is beautiful. Everywhere you look there is some little detail that delights: The sound of the water and flashes of the goldfish in the pool, the smell of the spices in the morning coffee, the colors of the fabric on the furniture, the hand-crafted light fixtures in each of the bedrooms, the meanderings of the resident tortoises. The owners were so welcoming, gracious and attentive it would have been easy and extremely pleasant to spend our week in Marrakech without ever leaving the confines of the riad.
But you have to leave the riad! The shopping day spent wandering the souks was an exercise in sensory overload: Crazy, beautiful and fruitful. The trip into the high Atlas, although long, was fabulous and a delightful change of pace from the high energy of the medina. Our guide is very high energy and understanding....
The cooking days were more than we ever could have anticipated. We loved them!! I have taken a number of cooking courses over the years from the type where one just observes the chefs at work to those that are called "hands on." However, I have never had as "hands on" a
cooking experience as here. Menu planning; shopping list formulation; trying to learn how to say "Please, I would like one lettuce" in some semblance of Arabic; saying "afagk a teeny
whahaad khoos" to the produce merchant; slicing and dicing ("thinner! finer!") veggies; rubbing couscous; and, finally, collapsing at the rose petal strewn table to eat the fruits of our labors.
We learned so much and enjoyed it so tremendously.
I think I speak for all four of us, however, when I say that the highlight of our week was our "cooking in a village kitchen" excursion. Words really do fail me and if you knew me you would realize how odd that is. Suffice it to say that it was a never-to-be-forgotten experience that we all felt very privileged to have had. We felt that we had been treated to a true slice of Berber village life and it made a deep impression on each of us.
All in all, we had an unbelievably good time and recommend this tour to anyone who has a deep interest in other cultures and cuisines and who has a lot of energy.
Thank you!"
Virginia V. (US), travelling with a family of 4 Asia Shanghai Culinary Adventure "I wanted to come to Asia to learn and explore the culinary tricks and flavours... Gourmet On Tour really have a fantastic network among the very best professional people wherever they work. They did go out of the ordinary to make sure I was satisfied.I did not book a standard tour; they custom-made my trip in both Shanghai and Bangkok, and all I can say is "it was an outstanding achievement by them" - this coming from an "old guy" in the culinary industry! How they know all these professionals, proves they really have done their home work. I have never met anyone like this before - they really differenciate themselves from others. I'm very picky when it comes to quality and service.... Gourmet on Tour really made it happen for me; it truly shows their commitment to the culinary industry. I think it is the first time in my cooking life around the world I find this passion of service and commitment to it's customers....I hope the rest of the Cooking World takes note of them!
Gourmet On Tour has won a part of my heart...and helped me inspire my menus even more, with a 100% successful result. I definitely woucl come back from more cooking adventures!"Johan S.Executive chef at the world's largest Airline Caterer Tasting Ko Samui, Thailand
"I truly enjoyed it. Loved the location. The chef was fabulous. The staff could not have been more accommodating. There were everywhere and were wonderful. They truly added to the experience of Ko Samui."
Maria A. (PA, US) Northern Thai delights, Thailand“It would be hard to find fault in any part of the holiday - the accommodation was perfect, the food and service the same. The cooking school was amazing, and for 3 of the 5 days I was the only participant so the chef and I cooked and chatted about food for hours - I then ate lots! As I am putting together a book of the best cookery schools around the world this definitely confirmed the entry of this one!"Joy S. US Spain Three perfect days in Sevilla , Spain "It was everything we expected and more. Roger was a wonderful guide in every aspect. "O. Mirap, Istanbul Three perfect days in Sevilla , Spain
“...Roger is an excellent guide / host. What he put together was just what I had wanted!”
S. Mickey, US
Three perfect days in Sevilla , Spain "We want to thank you for the great tour, it was everything we expected and more. Also please thank Roger on our behalf, he was a wonderful guide in every aspect."Oksan M. (Istanbul, Turkey) Gourmet and Wine experience, Spain“The trip was a wonderful experience. It is a pleasure to have a private group rather than joining a large tour! Jose is a great guide. Charming and “adorable" The driving was excellent. .F. Hershkowitz - Chicago, US Gourmet and Wine experience, Spain"Our trip was very well orchestrated. I cannot say enough positive things about our guide and chef. Please, keep this people for these trips...". R Marinaccio, Florida, US UK Master classes in Yorkshire, UK "Your infectious enthusiasm creates a perfect atmosphere for learning and we both therefore learned a great deal. We now approach the kitchen with a new found confidence and will definitely be back." "You were an inspiration and a delight. I can’t thank you enough for all that hard work and wizardry” “I am fired with enthusiasm and a great deal more confidence…..I cannot thank you enough Rosemary for inspiring me to be more creative with my cooking. I loved every moment of the courses, you and your team gave me one of the happiest times I’ve had for a long time” "You are truly inspirational and I just loved the few days I spent with you at the school. Your generosity, high standards, hard work and sheer commitment to the course was very special” "I learnt so much but the most important thing is that I actually made friends with the kitchen. You have inspired me to prepare and present food with confidence and enjoy the experience" "I had the most wonderful 3 days and learnt so much. Your teaching has really motivated me to pursue my ambition and train as a professional chef" "You gave us the very best Christmas present we could have had. It was was wonderful. Your enthusiasm, ambition and talents are amazing” Percy's, UK"We had a wonderful time at Percy's. The people were absolutely lovely and the courses was very intimate, and we enjoyed the informal but informative style of the courses... The food was excellent. Unfortunately it was so good we ate far to much and now need to spend more time in the gym"Jeremy P. (London, UK)
