Get cooking at these 6 culinary retreats around the world

Finding a good restaurant – whether it be a hole in the wall or Michelin-starred gem – is an essential part of any holiday. Food is the window to a country’s eclectic culture and history; it bears a social element that peeks into identities and agricultural tapestries. Or, as the late, great Pulitzer Prize-winning food critic Jonathan Gold aptly put it, “food is a pretty good prism through which to view humanity”.  

Yet, a meal may not offer a full study of a country's backstory. A culinary retreat, on the other hand, let’s you delve deeper into the rich history of your holiday destination.  

New to cooking? Start by attending a class or two during your vacation for a change in pace. For those who fancy themselves a seasoned chef, level up your culinary prowess and knowledge of fresh, seasonal produce with a cooking retreat. Here is our curated list of the best cooking retreats around the world. 

1. Chiva-Som Hua Hin, Thailand  

This wellness retreat and its Chef Sinchai Srivipa have developed a cooking class that goes beyond teaching culinary basics and instead touches on allergens, portion control, local ingredients and, of course, their cultural and historical context. Both Thai and international dishes are on offer, but all classes begin with basic Thai culinary traditions and key ingredients that shape its culinary culture. You’ll start the lesson with a tour of the organic garden, where you’ll be introduced to the herbs and spices used to create these authentic, nutritious dishes, before moving on to cooking, tastings and discussions with the chef. The pla nueng manao (steamed grouper with chili lime sauce) is a particular highlight here. 

2. Bliss & Stars, Cape Town, South Africa 

Cape Town is home to a plethora of retreats – but Bliss & Stars ’ plant-based cooking course stands out among the rest. A true homage to nature’s bounty, the four-day retreat spotlights local, fresh and seasonal produce. The hours you spend in the kitchen with chef Aphelele Dlungane are balanced with relaxing, hiking and meditating in the property’s 1,350 hectares of expansive, lush landscapes. This is so that every bite becomes a conscious, mindful one, designed to de-stress, restore and reconnect with the self. Dietary preferences can all be catered for, and with a maximum of 10 guests at a time, Bliss & Stars’ retreats get snatched up fast. 

3. Ecuador Food Tour Quito, Ecuador

Less than an hour’s drive from Mariscal Sucre Quito International Airport lies the home of Maria Viteri. For more than two decades, Maria has been offering food tours as well as sharing her grandmother’s recipes in cooking classes and private dining experiences. The two-hour class , conducted in English, reveals the secrets to popular Ecuadorian dishes made with fresh ingredients straight from the markets. This highly interactive class can be paired with gourmet adventures featuring exotic desserts and local watering holes, as well as coffee and chocolate tastings.  

4. Le Manoir Aux Quat’Saisons, Oxford, England

At the core of this Belmond hotel lies a two-Michelin-starred restaurant helmed by French Chef Patron Raymond Blanc, a pioneer of the garden-to-plate philosophy. Guests can join his cooking course s which range from half-day introductions and residential programmes to dinner party masterclasses and even children’s courses. Tackle grand categories like seafood, bread and vegan cuisine, or refine your skills with specifics and learn to craft the perfect macarons, stocks, sauces, and afternoon tea. You can also get your hands dirty at the chef’s gardening school, where you’ll learn soft skills in garden, tree management, and practical know-how like fruit pruning.   

5. Les Petits Farcis, Nice, France

Speckled with influence from Provence and Italy, Niçoise chefs will tell you their culinary style is as French as it is Mediterranean. Walk the talk with this culinary studio ’s English language cooking and pastry classes, where you’ll learn to master the unique cooking style of Nice. Students will get the chance to explore the centuries-old streets of Nice as part of the classes, with each session beginning in one of the city’s food markets. Filled to the brim with organic produce, spices and more, it’s a feast for the eyes – and stomachs. Dishes are built around what’s in season and are made back at the studio, followed by lunch and a rosé tasting in the afternoon. Carb lovers can opt for specialty classes in macarons and choux pastry. Novices, home cooks and experts are all welcome. 

6. Casa Mãe, Lagos, Portugal

Set beside the glistening ocean, the charming hotel of Casa Mãe is home to one of the country’s finest open kitchen concepts. Led by sous chef Daniell , guests will learn the skills needed to perfect a vegetarian or pescatarian dish. One such dish is his signature ceviche, which requires advanced techniques like cleaning, deboning, marinating and dressing a fish – not an easy feat even for trained hands. All this takes place after a tour of the casa’s lavish 6000sqm gardens, where you’ll be awed by of the team’s respect for permaculture, biodynamics and sustainability. Fancy getting elbows deep in soil along with them? The team are happy for you to join them in the gardens.