Welcome Evening:

Welcome to Vejer! You will be immediately immersed in Spanish life as we walk around the town to meet some of my friends in the fabulous tapas bars in Vejer to sample some of the very delicious dishes on offer.

Day 1:

A Taste of Andalucia! We meet in the morning to buy our produce for the day’s cooking, where you will learn how to make some classic Spanish dishes. Using seasonal foods, local seafood and cured meats, such as Chorizo, various cuts of pork, we will be making seasonal salads and stews of meat & vegetables, all with a creative Andalucian twist and plenty of Spanish wines and a splash of Sherry.

After a late lunch (at around 4.30) the evening is yours: kick back and relax at your hotel, sample some tapas bars or catch up on some pressing emails.

Day 2:

Fish Day! No cookery course is complete without a guided trip to a typical fish market. We set off on the short journey to ‘El Mercado de Abastos’ (the main food market) in Barbate, which is the tuna capital of Spain and the main Almadraba town of the area. First off we will visit a traditional tuna preserve shop to see the various and delicious products on offer, (this is a good chance to buy goodies to take home with you). El Mercado de Abastos is where the fishermen arrive with their catch of the day so it just doesn’t get any fresher than this. After learning about the fish and seafood that’s on offer at the market we will select our fish for the day’s class.

After the market and on the way back to Vejer, we will stop at a local ‘venta’ where we’ll eat a very typical Andaluz breakfast. Make sure you save some space for this!

Depending on what is available at the market, today we might be preparing ‘Boquerones’ – which are anchovies – fried and pickled, prawns, squid, clams and perhaps salt baked fish. You’ll also enjoy a tasting of different preserved tuna. All will be washed down with wonderful wines of the region.

Day 3:

Flavours of Morocco! For over 600 years the Moors lived in Vejer and although all aspects of their culture were expelled in 1492, their legacy lives on through the local cuisine. This day of delicious and healthy food includes salads and vegetables, with the addition of chicken and possibly fish. ‘Ottolenghi’ style dishes that are brimming with fresh flavours from preserved lemons, carrots, aubergines, olives, almonds and of course mint. Many of these dishes can be prepared in advance so they are perfect entertainment food for busy people.

Paella & Sherry Cocktails! After a short break, you’ll return to Casa Alegre at 8pm to learn the art of making a show-stopping and utterly authentic Paella. This evening is led by Pepi, Annie B’s No. 1 cook and best Paella maker in town. Bring a charged phone for photos of this Instagrammable dish!  This evening we will also try our hand at making Sherry cocktails; there is a Sherry to match all flavours of food and this will be a unique way to demonstrate your new understanding of Spanish food and cooking to your friends.

Day 4:

Departure Day. If you’re leaving Spain to get back to family or work commitments, I hope that your appetite has been satisfied and that you have thoroughly enjoyed your stay. If you do have time to stay on in Vejer or the wider region, I’d be very happy to assist you with your onward plans. (Please see my extended travel suggestions below).