Annie B in The Sunday Times as one of the 100 Best Holidays in The World 2012 !

The very first time I visited Vejer, it was the first week of March 2003, I sat under trees laden with oranges, sipping ice cold Rosado and munched my way through a racion of what must have been the very best and most delicious Calamari Fritos I had ever indulged in. I think that’s what did it for me. I bought Casa Alegre there and then. Such gourmet moments can change the world forever.

I had no appreciation that there was more in store beyond that moment – exploring the bars and restaurants of Vejer became an exciting multi dimensional experience. Not just because the food was great but because behind each place was an owner with passion and pride for what he offered. Slowly it dawned on me that I had found a gourmet goldmine.

It was wonderful to be recognised in The Sunday Times in January as the Tastiest Town in Spain. Finally Vejer is attracting people’s attention as a gourmet destination. At the same time, what it offers just gets better and better.

Here is the piece that appeared.

I was asked recently to write an article about Cooking Holidays in Spain. What can I say about Cooking Holidays in Spain and not be biased about Vejer?

Cooking holidays in Spain are not just all about cooking and nowhere appreciates that more than Andalucía. Cooking holidays in Spain are as much about eating, drinking, tantalizing the taste buds and dipping into the culture. Cooking holidays in Spain are about indulging yourself in the culture of a cuisine that has for many decades been disregarded by the gourmet masses. When Ferran Adriá starts offering cooking holidays in Spain to the world, overnight, Spain will become the most popular cooking holiday destination in the whole wide world!

When looking at different options for cooking holidays in Spain, one is immediately drawn to San Sebastian (predictable), Madrid (obvious), Barcelona (international) and Rioja (traditional). Very few people turn their attentions to Andalucia when thinking about a cooking holidays in Spain. However, there is no better destination than a gastro tour of the province of Cádiz. Basing yourself in Vejer, you are surrounded by the most incredible gastro opportunities, raw ingredients, fresh produce and of course – Sherry.  No cooking holiday in Spain is complete without a substantial lick of Sherry. Booking a cooking holiday in Spain with Annie B is a perfect way to maximize on everything that’s delicious in the area.

PRICE  excluding fligts and transfers

€985 per person  (based on 2 sharing a standard twin)

Single Occupancy €1148 per person

• 4 nights B&B at El Califa,
• Welcome supper on arrival evening
• 3 morning cooking classes
• 3 lunches at Casa Alegre
• 1 evening cooking class and supper
• 1 lunchtime tapas tour of Cadiz
• 1 evening tapas tour of Vejer
• 1 dinner in Vejer
• Visit to Sherry Bodega in Jerez
• Visit to Cadiz and tour
• Visit to Moroccan Shop in El Colarado
• Visit to Barbate fish market
• Tour around Vejer
• All wine and drinks with meals
• Non-stop Sherry chat!!

The course will start with a welcome supper on the evening of arrival

Extra nights at El Califa available upon request

Annie B's Spanish Kitchen at 4700mtrs on Kilimanjaro

Cooking Holidays  on Kilimanjaro

On my recent hike up Kilimanjaro, food and Sherry were the last things on my mind so it was an unexpected surprise to discover that our adaptable chef, Vampaya (Vampire – he had one very long tooth!) was able to produce such yummy delights off his camp stove. We indulged in delicious twice daily soups from peanut butter to aubergine as well as lots of vegetable curries using fragrant Swahili curry powder. Vampaya didn’t have an apron so luckily I had one with me in my essential Kili kit. Buen Provecho Vampaya

Anchovies - boquerones en vinagre y anchoas

Anchovies in Andalucía

Delicious Anchovies are consummed on a daily basis in Vejer. They are known as Boquerones, Boquerones en Vinagre when pickled, Boquerones Fritos when fried and Anchoas when salted. Gareth Jones shares this great passion for this glistening little yummy fish. Read his article here.

Sunkissed Spanish Strawberries

It’s always such a pleasure to return to Vejer when the winter sunshine has encouraged red and juicy strawberries to glow with a shimmery and dewy EAT ME appearance. In Spanish there is a wonderful saying ”Que Buena Pinta”  which means ”what a great look” !

Paco my butcher will use the same expression when slicing marbleized Presa from the Iberian pig – muttering ”que buena pinta” as he slices he way through this sought after lump of exquisite meat. ”Que buena pinta” can also be a perfect remark when a delicious looking creation is placed in front of you by an eager to please waiter or harassed hostess. So at €8 per kilo, a mere 250 grams of these EAT ME strawberries, found their way onto my kitchen table.

They were so divine that I had to restrain myself from popping them into the blender so that the blended sweet juciness might make it’s way into a glass to be topped up with chilled Cava……….a missed opportunity for another ‘Que Buena Pinta!’.

If the strawberries from Conil are divine at the beginning of January, they will only get better with each sunkissed day until mid June, when the season is normally all but over. Come drink ‘Fizz a las Fresas’ when cooking at Annie B’s Spanish Kitchen

Annie B’s Cooking Holidays in Spain in February’s edition of Country Living Magazine

A wonderful article in February’s Country Living written by Ruth Chandler.  Ruth spent four happy days staying at El Califa and chopping at Annie B’s Spanish Kitchen in September 2011.  Cooking wasn’t all that was on the menu – lunch on the beach at El Palmar, fabulous flamenco on Annie’s terrace, umpteen copas of Sherry, tapas tours of Vejer – and of course, the shopping.  Take a group of girls anywhere and shopping is a must.  We were buying up Moroccan dishes, dried wild oregano, locally woven sun hats, colourful fans, rare Sherry and smoked paprika.  A happy time had by all and a great girls holiday!

Read full article here