6 Days – Marrakech & Essaouira Food Tour

MARRAKECH – OUIRGANE

DESCRIPTION

After collecting you from your Marrakech accommodation, we will take you up into the High Atlas, to the Berber village of Ouirgane which is a 90-minute drive.

Situated inside Toubkal National Park, home to the highest peak in North Africa (Jbel Toubkal 4165 m), today’s cooking class will take place at an eco-friendly mountain retreat. The cooking will take place over charcoal on the terrace with views over the surrounding mountainside. Goat Tagine is the recipe today and you will learn from the chef how to really master this dish.

The chef will also teach you how to make ras-el-hanout which will be used in the goat tagine. This is a spice mix found in varying forms in Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco. It plays a similar role in North African cuisine as garam masala does in Indian cuisine. The name in Arabic means “head of the shop” and implies a mixture of the best spices the seller has to offer.

Later today or tomorrow morning, there will be the opportunity to visit a project set up after the earthquake in this area, where traditional Amazigh flat bread (Tanourt) is made in a clay oven.

Then, in the evening you will be able to relax and enjoy the dinner you have helped create in this humble guesthouse.

OUIRGANE – ESSAOUIRA

DESCRIPTION

After a leisurely breakfast we will say goodbye to your mountain hosts and head to Essaouira. The drive is approximately 3 hours to the town of Essaouira and to your riad, set inside the ancient medina. This foodie riad is well located for exploring the medina and you can enjoy your afternoon exploring.

An authentic seaside town, UNESCO listed Essaouira is an alluring, unspoilt destination with a tangible North African / Portuguese feel. With an all-year round, warm, sunny climate cooled by the Atlantic breezes, Essaouira is a melting pot of locals and foreigners who came and stayed, having created a laid back, atmospheric and intriguing resort. You will be able to wander around the white washed town with its blue-shuttered houses and shops filled with textiles, jewellery, ceramics, musical instruments and handmade wooden items.

ESSAOUIRA – ARTISAN CHEESE & COOKING 

DESCRIPTION

Today, you will meet the chef in the local markets and shop for fresh fish and spices for today’s cooking class.

Then we will drive out to visit an artisanal cheese maker. This is a family business making a variety of organic sheep, cow and goat’s cheeses.

Whilst here, you can also enjoy tasting some of these handmade cheeses and we will buy some to add to the picnic lunch that the chef will prepare for today.

Then it’s on to the chef’s villa location to cook seafood couscous together.

ESSAOUIRA – SHOWCASE MEAL COOKING DAY

DESCRIPTION

Enjoy a full day in this beautiful and homely location. As Essaouira has a Portuguese history, the showcase meal that you will cook today is the Portuguese inspired Cataplana and after prepping in the kitchen, the cooking will take place outside by the pool.

During your time in this location, you will also learn some pickling methods and more.

ESSAOUIRA FARM VISIT & VINEYARD

DESCRIPTION

This morning, we will visit an organic farm run by the most experienced organic farmer in this region. He also heads up the farmers markets here in Essaouira. You will be able to learn more about the sustainable methods used and as the chef is also an organic farmer you will be able to go into as much depth on the subject as you like.

Then at lunch time it is on to the organic certified Val d’Argan Vineyard where you and the chef will be able to enjoy a tapas meal and several wine and olive oil tastings. Despite the success of this business and the excellent wines it produces, it retains a very quirky feel with camels used instead of ploughs.

Here there is also the option to visit the Marjana cooperative for a glimpse behind the scenes of Argan oil production to see how the oil is extracted from the fruit for use in culinary as well as cosmetic oils.

You will then drive back to her location to prepare a meal created from the foraging you have done on each visit so far.

ESSAOUIRA – MARRAKECH

DESCRIPTION

We will transfer you back to Marrakech today, either to the airport in plenty of time for your departure flight, or to your accommodation and this is where we say goodbye.