This riad, one of the finest in Marrakech began as a legendary Moroccan restaurant in the 1940's. Today it is as an exquisite small hotel and its restaurant is still one of the most fashionable dining spots in the city. Located within the walls of the old medina close to the bustling Jemma El Fna, the riad is perfectly placed to explore the city yet an oasis of utter tranquility; private yet with an atmosphere of ease, pleasure and gaiety. Refreshing mint tea seems to appear from nowhere while you relax in the flower filled patios, the elegant terraces or the refined luxury of your rooms. There is another refreshing surprise for guests. Twenty minutes out of town in a glorious garden next door to the King's royal tree nursery is the riad's lovely private swimming pool. It lies fragrant and secluded behind high earthen walls, bordered by rosemary bushes, olive trees and roses with the Atlas Mountains in the distance. You can spend all day here, when you have had your fill of the city, lazing by the pool and lunching at the bar under the fig trees. The cooking lessons are in the Kasbah in the gardens by the pool. Classes are intimate,
limited to no more than eight and everyone has their own workspace. The teacher is none other than a dada- a traditional cook with hands of gold. Aided by a translator the dada shares her ancient and precious knowledge. Secrets are passed on- a briouate dough or a flan aux amandes, a weightless couscous, a pastilla that melts in the mouth. Vegetables come from the hotel's kitchen garden - artichokes as tender as flowers, shiny eggplants, tomatoes the likes of which are no longer to be found - as well as coriander, mint, spices and fruit. Success is in what comes out of the oven, delicious food that you eat under the olive and fig trees. After a days cooking or exploring Marrakech sink into the hotel's sumptuous hammam perhaps followed by a massage or a mud bath and finish with dinner under the hand painted ceiling of the restaurant. However, the rooms are so beautiful that it may be tempting never to leave them at all. Your cooking week in Marrakech has a relaxed, easy pace. Interspersed between relaxing at the riad, exploring Marrakech or lazing by the glorious pool near the Atlas foothills, there will be three half day cooking sessions. There's also a fascinating escorted trip to the souks - the bustling Moroccan markets.
Cooking sessions last half a day, each devoted to a particular technique and dish. You may learn Briouates: Assortment of Moroccan briouates - cheese, chicken ground meat, vegetables or seafood Tagines: Again depending on the group's preferences you may make one of many different kinds of tagines, with chicken, lamb or beef, tomatoes, figs, walnuts, lemons, olives. Couscous : Chicken or lamb with caramelized onions Chicken or lamb with seven vegetables Moroccan pastries This culinary break is available all year round (except during the hot summer months of June to August) and you can start your holiday on any day of the week as well. This riad, one of the finest in Marrakech is an exquisite small hotel. Located within the walls of the old medina close to the bustling Jemma El Fna, the riad is perfectly placed to explore the city yet an oasis of utter tranquility The hotel is built around 2 flower-filled patios, with fountains and olive trees. Rooms are exquisite and luxurious, fully airconditioned and ensuite. The hotel's services include two restaurants, tea room, hammam and massage, boutique and art gallery, garden
and the swimming pool. Rates are based on standard rooms but upgrades to suites are available. Check in is after 1 pm Shop at the fascinating souks for tagines, spices, carpets, ceramics, and jewellery. Visit the Museum of Moroccan art Go trekking in the Atlas foothills Indulge yourself with massages and mud baths at the hotels' hamaam
Per person CAD $2959 Single supplement CAD $2149 Non cooking companion CAD $2959 6 nights luxury accommodation with breakfast 3 cooking sessions with a traditional Moroccan cook Cooking is followed by a lunch of what you've prepared An escorted trip to the vegetable souk - the colourful food market Flights or other transport to Marrakech All meals, beverages and excursions not listed in the itinerary Visas, travel insurance and personal expenses
suitable for vegetarians car hire required extensions available Moroccan briouates Tagines Chicken couscous with caramelized onions Selection of delicate Moroccan pastries
EGGPLANT SALAD 1 kg aubergines 500 g tomatoes chopped 1tbsp lemon juice 1/2 red pepper 5 to 6 cloves of garlic 5 tbsp olive oil 1 tsp cumin salt 1 tsp pepper black olives preserved lemon sliced Cut the aubergine into large chunks and cook in salty water. Fry the tomatoes with, oil, red pepper, cumin, garlic, salt and lemon juice. When the egg plant is almost cooked drain and press it to extract the water, add it to tomatoes and crush while stirring up on a low gas for about 15 minutes. Dress with lemon juice and leave to cool. Marrakech is a year round destination, though the summer months from June to August are best avoided as it can get extremely hot with temperatures
sometimes rising to 45 C. The winter months from Dec to January are cool and pleasant during the day with temperatures around 15 C but it does get cold at night. The rest of the year enjoys a very comfortable climate hovering between 20 and 25 C. This culinary break is available all year round (except in the hot summer months from June to August) and you can start your holiday on any day of the week as well. Citizens of the UK, the EU, USA, Australia and New Zealand do not need visas to visit Morocco. Passports should be valid for atleast 6 months from the date of travel.
The following vaccinations are recommended: Diphtheria Tetanus Polio (Revaxis) Hepatitis A Typhoid Please consult your GP for guidance. For up to date health information visit www.fco.gov.uk Dirham AIRPORT: Marrakech There are regular daily flights to Marrakech from the UK. Royal Air Maroc & British Mediteranean both offer direct services. Most European airlines such as Air France, Lufthansa, Swiss Air amongst others offer a service into Marrakech with a stop in their hub city in Europe. You will be met at the airport on arrival and driven to the riad.