Spanish Culinary Course
4 NIGHTS
Are you short of time but passionate about food and travel?
My shorter Spanish Culinary Course is the perfect food holiday for busy people who have an appetite for food adventures and authentic Andalucian flavours.
SPANISH SLOW FOOD
Buying fish at the local market
Based over 4 nights and 3 days, this is a shorter more intense Spanish Cooking Course. As a small group, we cram in a tapas tour, market visits, cooking classes and Sherry education Sharpen your kitchen skills by day and you’ll still have plenty of free time to relax, explore or catch up on work for 2 evenings.
I’ve been running cooking courses and food holidays in Spain for over 10 years and this re-developed course goes back to my roots by diving into everything I love about this region of Spain. We will be based in my kitchen in Vejer de la Frontera where we will explore the concept of Spanish slow food, everything we prepare will be local, seasonal and subject to freshness and availability. This is ‘zero miles’, ‘farm to table’ food at it’s best.
There will be a maximum of 8 people in any class which will give you a more intensive experience.
This short-break Spanish Cooking Course makes a wonderful gift for foodies who would love an authentic food culture experience in a spectacular part of Spain. Also as an add-on to any existing Spanish travel plans, see my suggestions below for extending your trip below and contact me with any questions.
If you do have more time, look at my Spanish culinary classics which includes a day in the Sherry Triangle, a day on gourmet tour in Cadiz and a free day to explore Vejer.
Course Summary
WHEN
2020 Dates
Weds 16th – Sun 20th September
Weds 7th – Sun 11th October
Weds 11th – Sun 15th November
2021 Dates
Weds 17th – Sun 21st February
Tues 20th – Sat 24th April
For additional dates in 2020 and 2021, group bookings or bespoke tours please contact me to discuss options.
Duration
4 nights, 3 days – approximate times;
- 1st evening we meet at 8pm
- 1st cooking day; 10.30am to 4.30pm (evening free)
- 2nd cooking day; 10.30am to 5pm (evening free)
- 3rd cooking day; 10.30am to 4.30pm & evening; 8pm to 11pm
Includes
- Tapas tour of Vejer de la Frontera
- 3 daytime cooking classes
- 3 lunches at Annie B’s Spanish Kitchen ‘Casa Alegre’
- Evening paella cooking class, Sherry cocktail class & supper
- Visit to Barbate fish market
- Two free evenings at your leisure
- All wine & drinks with classes and scheduled meals
- All transport during course schedule
- Spanish wine & Sherry education
- All recipes to take home
- Certificate & Apron
Price
STARTING PRICES for course & accommodation for 4 nights. Seasonal variations will apply.
Staying in a classic room at Hotel La Casa Del Califa (includes breakfast)
€1280 pp (2 people sharing)
€1440 pp (single occupancy)
Course only – please enquire
See my selection of recommended places to stay for more information
*Prices inclusive of tax. Prices do not include flights or transfers.
Attendees
- Limited to a maximum of 8 people
- Private groups of up to 12 people
What To Expect With This Course
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).
Extended Travel Suggestions
- Fly into Seville, spend a couple of nights here and then pick up a hire a car.
- Discover the Sherry Triangle, Jerez de la Frontera, and Cadiz on your way to Vejer de la Frontera.
- Drive down the coast to explore the Costa de la Luz beaches and fly out from Gibralter
- Book a day trip to Tangiers, Morocco
- Have another food adventure in eastern Andalucia – read all about this on my blog
- Contact me for more suggestions, day tours, and restaurants recommendations.
Full
Courses
Looking for the full Annie B experience? Have a look at the range of cooking holidays we offer…
Day Tours &
Courses
Fly-by-night visit to Vejer planned? No problem. We also offer day classes to introduce you to the best of Spanish food…
Ultimate
Tours
Our ultimate tours delve into the elements that make Costa de la Luz a unique gourmet destination…
Tailor Made
Experiences
One of a kind, exclusive gourmet and cultural adventures. Tailor-made for you and your group throughout Spain…
People Love Annie B.
Here’s what they have said
All the way from Australia – 3 times so far
Rob G & Phil C, Melbourne, December 2019
We first met Annie at her week long Classic Andalusia course in Vejer in 2017. We have returned twice since, for the Almadraba (unmissable!) in May 2018 and Annie’s Menorca Culinary tour October 2019. Annie’s enthusiasm is infectious and the hospitality is second to none – shared with excellent like-minded company. It’s the gold standard of all the food tours that we have done. We have no doubt that we will be back again.
