Gastronomy

Exotic spices, slow cooked tagines and exquisite Moroccan salads, this Marrakech gastronomy holiday is sure to ignite all your senses.

Giving you a truly under the skin look at this exotic North African city, you will enjoy personal guided excursions into the labyrinthine souk, sample local spices and delicacies and also visit some of the city’s lesser known food markets.

As soon as you arrive, you will be made to feel right at home by the riad’s friendly staff and be given an unparallel insight of life in Marrakech. With hands on cooking lessons in the riad’s intimate olive tree courtyard, and dinners served on the enchanting roof terrace, this mouth-watering gastronomy holiday will be a truly unforgettable and inspiring experience.

And, as always with Frui, our attentive guides and tutors will organise everything for you and cater for your every need. Everything from shopping trips, personal guides, excursions, restaurants, accommodation and transfers - it's like having your very own butler with you on holiday!

Marrakech Gastronomy - Itinerary Day 1 Arrival and welcome drinks

After being greeted at the airport by your man in Marrakech, Ahmed El Jabri (The Sectary General of Guides). You will then be driven through the bustling streets of Marrakech. On reaching the magnificent Dar Al Basha (Pasha's Palace), it’s a short walk to your enchanting boutique hotel, Riad Nasreen, where you will be given a typically Marrakshi warm welcome and have a chance to freshen up. Before dinner you will enjoy some early evening drinks and be given an introduction to the holiday. For those who want to have either their hands or feet tattooed, a henna tattooing show (usually part of the Moroccan welcome tradition) will take place at the riad.

Unforgettable dinner

Dinner tonight will be hosted by Mohamed, Abdul Zac and Mahacine on the riad’s enchanting roof terrace. Here, you will be treated to a mouth-watering selection of local dishes and delicacies. And with your chef and cooking tutor, Mahacine, on hand to explain the history and flavours of the various dishes, this evening will serve as the perfect introduction to North African cuisine!

Day 2 Cooking class, a tour of the ancient souk and lunch

Following a delicious Moroccan breakfast on the private roof terrace you will take part in a cooking lesson hosted by Mahacine in the riad’s beautiful courtyard. This morning we learn how to cook a variety of Moroccan dishes, which we will later enjoy for lunch. While lunch is cooking Ahmed will take you on a guided tour of Marrakech’s ancient souk. Here you will sample various delicacies and visit a Berber pharmacy to sample spices, herbs and natural cosmetics. As well as this you will have the chance to try your hand at some playful haggling with shopkeepers (all under the watchful eye of Ahmed, of course). It’s then back to the riad to enjoy the fruits of your morning’s labour.

Relaxing afternoon, cooking demonstration and dinner

You are able to spend this afternoon at your leisure, perhaps strolling around some of the city’s stunning palaces, mosques or medinas. Ahmed will be more than happy to accompany you if you would like. As early evening draws in we enjoy some drinks and a cooking class with Mahacine where you will learn how to make Moroccan deserts. For dinner tonight Ahmed will guide you through the winding streets of the ancient medina to a beautiful restaurant boasting an exquisite local menu.

Day 3 The Bab Doukkala Arcade, cooking lesson and lunch

After another hearty breakfast, Ahmed will take you to the nearby spice shops situated in the famous exotic Bab Doukkala arcade (commonly called Swiqa). After taking in all the exotic aromas and flavours you will return to the riad with a selection of their finest spices, which you will then make use of in this morning’s cooking class. Here you will prepare lunch; a classic tagine (tanjia) which you will take to one of the city’s communal ovens to be cooked. The tanjia shall be accompanied by an exquisite variety of traditional Moroccan salads.

A relaxing afternoon sipping mint tea and cooking demonstration

Following lunch on the roof terrace you have the afternoon to relax. There is the chance to visit the riad’s hammam where Abdul Zac will scrub and pummel you within an inch of your life! Alternatively, those who are less physically inclined can enjoy a refreshing cup of mint tea and some Moroccan pastries while taking in the hustle and bustle of the main square. As the sun sets and turns the city a blazing shade of red, we gather in the riad’s courtyard for a class on how to prepare traditional Moroccan drinks, including teas, tonics and Berber whisky.

An evening in the French Quarter

Tonight, following some early evening drinks at the riad, you will visit the city’s French Quarter and dine at one of Marrakech’s most acclaimed restaurants, Villa Rosa. Afterwards, for those who want to, there is the chance to check out some of the area’s chic bars and clubs.

Day 4 Breakfast, Q&A session and home

Breakfast on the roof terrace is followed by a final question and answers session, where you have the chance to pick up some final tips on the secrets of Moroccan cooking.

But soon it’s time to bid farewell to Ahmed, Abdul Zac, Mohamed and Mahacine, as you are then driven through the labyrinthine streets of Marrakech and on to the airport.

Accommodation:

Riad Nasreen

Situated in Marrakech's Old Medina, Riad Nasreen is a fine example of traditional Moroccan style and grandness.

Here, all the lovingly decorated rooms surround the riad's magnificent courtyard, with its fountain and orange trees. For lazy afternoons and early evening drinks, Riad Nasreen's stylish roof terrace serves as a tranquil retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city below and it is here that mouth watering lunches and dinners are served against the sound of a distant call to prayer.

Within walking distance from the ancient souk and the city's main square, Riad Nasreen serves as the perfect base for your gastronomy holiday in Marrakech.

What you will learn on this Gastronomy Break

It’s amazing what you’ll pick up in 4-days! Among other things you will learn:

· How to prepare a variety of Moroccan salads, starters and canapés

· How to slow cook a traditional Moroccan tagine

· How to make the best couscous dishes you have ever tasted

· How to sample, choose and cook with rare spices

· How to prepare a variety of North African drinks

· The culture and history of gastronomy in Marrakech

Don’t forget that with Frui you will get a tutor for life that will set you regular recipes and offer tips on our online forum!

What’s included in this Gastronomy Break

We include as much as possible in all our holidays. In fact, almost all of our guests give us 5 out of 5 for value for money.

· Three nights en suit accommodation with breakfast

· Transfers to and from Marrakech airport and taxis to and from restaurants

· Champagne welcome on arrival

· All cooking lessons

· All cooking ingredients

· Two lunches

· One dinner

· Personal guide for duration of the holiday (and there’s no one better than Ahmed El Jabri, Secretary General of Guides!)

· And, as always with Frui, our attentive guides and tutors will organise everything for you and cater for your every need.