Description

This is an exclusive opportunity to combine a 3 day (or more) stay at an organic small holding managed by one of the top chefs in Morocco with a series of unique “How To” workshops.

The location is a secret garden nestled between the snow-capped Atlas Mountains and the peace of nature in the surrounding valley, an hour outside Marrakech. Set on five acres of fertile farmland, maintained using organic principles and set amongst 300 olive and fruit trees.

In addition to your choice from a series of workshops, you will also be able to collect seasonal vegetables from the organic garden roamed by sheep and chickens and discuss the different herbs and spices that flavour the diverse Moroccan cuisine, before you take part in a private cooking class over hot coals in the gardens.

Of course there should also be time to sit and relax by the pool amongst the perfumed tea and rose gardens.​

"How to" Workshops

Saffron & Salt:

There will be a presentation from an organic saffron farmer and nutritionist who will discuss the inclusion of saffron as a medical spice into our diets via drinks, ice cream etc.

Following this, we will leave the farm and head to the local salt flats where the extraction methods have been handed down the generations and is in the form of rock salt. After a break to share tea and bread with a local family, it’s back to the farm to learn about home pickling using salt preservation techniques.

Starting Your Own Kitchen Garden:

This is an exclusive and very personalised opportunity to plan your own garden with an expert. No matter what size your home plot is, you will discover how to make the best of it and if space is really limited, how to incorporate vegetable growing into your flower garden.

Understanding Herbs & Spices:

As seasoning, as medicine, in specialist teas and as companion crops. During this workshop you will also be taught how to make ras-el-hanout which 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.

Organic Farming Fundamentals:

This half day workshop covers a range of issues including (but not limited to) crop waste, fertilisation, seed raising, pest control and water usage.

This workshop would be suitable for farmers, wannabe farmers and hobbyists alike.

The farmer has a wide range of experience gained across three continents and can personalise the topics to suit your particular interest and environment.

Organic Cooking Class:

These are high quality yet informal, private lessons with a professional Chef. You will learn to prepare a Moroccan Tagine but the lesson will be tailored to your dietary preferences and can be vegan, vegetarian, gluten free or meat based. If meat is selected you can choose from couqlette (a game hen), fish or rabbit.

You will also prepare a variety of delicious, traditional Moroccan salads, based on seasonal produce, to accompany your meal. These may include Zaalouk, Taktouka, Bakoula & Lhzina with dips such as Chermoula and Bessara Fava Bean.

There is a 2nd Lesson option during which you have the rare opportunity to create pastilla which is a sweet and savoury, delicately spiced, quail meat pie with leaves of dough similar to filo (phyllo.) It is a famous Fassi (from Fes) dish but is said to originally originate from Andalusia.

Where will I stay?

farmhouse bedroom

The accommodation at this farmhouse consists of just three bedrooms / suites and a self contained apartment. The style is an eclectic mixture of Arabic and Oriental and showcases many original sculptures and works of art as well as quirky furniture and beautiful Moroccan carpets.

All meals are catered and included in your package. They can be served in a selection of beautiful spots in the gardens or in the dining room in the unlikely event of bad weather.

 

For complete privacy book the the apartment which has it’s own private pool but as our guests are generally given exclusivity, you will often find that you are the only guests and will have full access to the entire farm, gardens and main pool.​

There is also a large characterful living area full of statement pieces and super comfortable furnishings. En-suites are beautiful but be prepared for the usual quirkiness of Moroccan bathrooms and water supplies.

More photos in the image gallery below.

dinning under vines
Walking With Nomads

Plan Your Organic Farm Short Break

Get in touch to discuss which workshops you are interested in and we will put together a fully inclusive proposal for your stay.

jeep

How Do I Get There?

book1

Saffron & Salt Blog

Walking With Nomads

To book or ask us any questions

Get in touch today