Vancouverites Mike and Hilary Powell, co-hosts of A Flavour of Spain Culinary Vacations, www.flavourofspain.net, are pleased to announce the expansion of their personalized private Spanish cooking vacations in 2011.
“Due to the worldwide attention on the healthy Mediterranean diet, the ongoing numerous requests from our guests, and Spain becoming a rising star in the foodie world we are continuing to expand our cooking vacations this year,” states Chef Mike.
Hilary continues, “If your wine club, culinary group, group of friends or business associates wants to create their own cooking vacation in Spain you have come to the right place. We will customize every detail to suit your group.
Participants will discover the joys of Mediterranean food using the finest local ingredients and learning the secrets of local dishes and wine pairings on these unique and personal cooking holidays. We take guests to the bustling marketplaces, ancient villages, wine cellars, and much more. Vacations include a mix of hands on cooking sessions and demos; wine tastings; visits to local food and fish markets, wineries, Rute Museo de Jamon (ham museum), and to the Baena organic olive oil mill; and excursions for sight-seeing, shopping, dining out and even a flamenco show. We will customize every detail of your vacation including add-ons such Spanish language lessons, spa experiences, additional excursions.”
Food is central to the Spanish way of life. The Foundation is olive oil, the Heart is the legacy of the Moorish culture, and the Magic is the Tapas ritual. Spain’s gastronomy is a wealth of colors, flavors and textures. There are a few countries that have such a diversity of landscapes, wine types and cuisine as Spain. Chef Mike is passionate about Spanish food, its freshness, the simplicity of preparation, and the quintessential flavours of Southern Spain…the Mediterranean diet at its best!
As well, from April 3-9, Mike and Hilary are offering Simply Spanish Mediterranean Cooking, a week long cooking vacation in their regular programming. It includes all meals at El Molino (the old mill); wine; 3 Excursions and sightseeing by private coach to Ronda, Baena, Antequera or Cordoba; a winery visit and olive oil mill tour; 3 hands on cooking sessions; and 3 cooking demonstrations. Only 8 people can participate in this cooking vacation. Cost $2889. All inclusive, except for airfare.
Mike and Hilary launched a Flavour of Spain in 2005, following several earlier years running their own successful restaurant on Spain’s Costa del Sol. Guests are accommodated in a beautifully renovated old mill situated between olive groves and sun-drenched whitewashed villages, an hour from Malaga, a great location for a memorable cooking and cultural vacation.
Mike, MHCI, who was trained in England, France and Switzerland.
One final note: Mike and Hilary also host several Painting Vacations each year and painting vacation participants are treated everyday to the food created by Mike.
For further info: www.flavourofspain.net or call Cindy at 1-888-986-2262 or email: cindy@trvlconcepts.com
