Detailed course itinerary

During the months between November and March, the farmers in Andalucia begin the olive harvest and on this cooking holiday you will have the opportunity to experience this process hands-on as you work with the local farmers on their olive farms.

Some of the finest olive oil in Spain comes from the town of Priego de Córdoba and the olive oil from the Andalucia region is internationally renowned and has received numerous awards for its superior quality and taste.

The region is highly acclaimed for its exquisite Extra Virgin Olive Oil with 2 of the 9 official 'Dominations of Origin' originate from this region, making it the perfect place to taste, experience and to learn to cook with some of the best internationally praised olive oil in the world.

Your host Chef Clive, who has been a professional Chef specialising in the Mediterranean cuisine for over 20 years, will also guide you through a hands-on cooking lesson where you will learn to cook typical Andalucian dishes with an emphasis on cooking with olive oil produced in the region.

By combining a fun, hands-on Spanish cooking lesson with culinary excursions to the olive farms in the region and relaxing free time, this short cooking holiday promises not just a culinary experience but also a cultural one as you immerse yourself in the olive oil harvest.

Suitability
- Suitable for all cooking abilities
- Please note as you will be taking part in the harvest a degree of general fitness is required
- Please note that this course is for a minimum of 2 people
- Prices are per person based on 2 people sharing a room
- Your hosts are British/Japanese so all cooking classes are taught in English (or Japanese if required)

Olive Oil Course Start Days
- The olive harvest normally runs from late November to late March but this is subject to change according to the season
- This package has set arrival dates during November to March
- If you can’t find the date you are looking for, please email with your requirements as new dates can be added and alternative arrival dates can also be arranged on request

Olive Oil Cooking Holiday Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival at the Finca
- You are welcome to arrive at the Finca in the heart of Andalucian olive country anytime after 3pm
- When you arrive you will enjoy welcome drinks with your hosts, Clive and Maki, and have some free time to settle in
- Early evening you will have an opportunity to take a stroll around the olive grove or the charming whitewashed lakeside village of Iznájar, perched on the rocky outcrop, where you will enjoy a spectacular view of the Lake of Andalucía
- Contemporary Andalucian cuisine and wine will be served by your hosts in the evening

Day 2 – Olive Harvest Experience And Olive Oil Tasting
- Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before setting off for a short trip through the beautiful countryside of Sierra Subbetica Natural Park where you will experience an olive harvest
- You will spend the morning at the olive grove with the local farmers who will show you the different techniques of gathering olive fruits, how to identify different types of olives and their characteristics
- After a couple of hours working with the farmers at the olive grove, you will have a picnic lunch in the beautiful surroundings of the olive grove
- In the afternoon, you will head to the home of award-winning olive oil, Priego de Cordoba; here you will have a private olive oil tasting with an authorised taster
- You will taste the many different types of olive oil and learn about its uses and qualities as well as the process of olive oil production
- After this you will head back to the Finca where you will have a free evening to relax and enjoy some free time

Day 3 – Free Day And Hands-On Cooking Lesson
- Enjoy breakfast at your leisure and while away your day relaxing or exploring the area, your hosts can help you arrange activities such as horseriding, golf, cycling, fishing and more if you are looking for something more active
- In the early evening you’ll take part in a hands-on cooking lesson learning how to cook a full typical Spanish menu with an emphasis on cooking with olive oil
- Dinner will follow your cooking lesson as you enjoy the food you have prepared accompanied by a glass or two of wine 

Day 4 – Departure Day
- After breakfast guests are asked to check-out of their rooms ready for departure taking home with them new cooking skills and an insight into Andalucian life that will stay with them long after the holiday is over

What Will I Learn?
- All about olive oil – the tasting, uses, characteristics and production methods
- Experience an olive harvest and meet the local farmers
- The history of Andalucian cuisine
- How to select fresh, seasonal ingredients
- How to cook a full Andalucian menu (dishes change each lesson) during a hands-on cooking lesson
- How to cook with olive oil and when to use it when olive oil is at its best

Sample Spanish Menu
- Gazpacho con cilantro (Gazpacho with wild coriander)
- Remojón con vinagre de sésamo (Salt cod and orange salad with sesame dressing)
- Codornices con higos (Quails with spiced figs),
- Lubina al sal con salsa de pimientos rojos y aceite de oliva (Salt roast seabass with charred sweet red pepper and olive oil salsa)
- Tarta de limón con miel de lavanda (Lemon tart with lavender scented honey)
- Merengue escalfado con natilla de almendras (Poached  meringue with almond custard cream)

Accommodation – Standard Room
- Your 150 year old Finca has just 4 rooms, 3 standard and 1 suite (to book the suite, click here) and is situated in Iznájar, a small hilltop Moorish village overlooking a romantic lake lies in Parque Natural de las Sierras Subbéticas in the southern part of the province of Córdoba
- Tastefully restored to retain the rustic charm, each standard room has a delightful view private bathroom and bathrobes
- All prices are based on two persons sharing a twin or double room, please enter your preference for twin or double in the special request box at the time of booking although please note that this cannot be guaranteed
- The hotel features a swimming pool, restaurant, reading room, DVD library and more

Experience the olive harvest and go learn to cook authentic Andalucía dishes in the heart of Andalucía, Spain, immerse yourself in the culture and share your passion for food with others on this unique learning holiday with a difference.
 

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