Simpson Travel (www.simpsontravel.com; 020 8003 6557) is introducing two tempting Culinary Weeks in Crete for 2022, hosted by Cretan-born 2019 Master Chef winner Irini Tzortzoglou.  

 Taking place at Arosmari Village Hotel, Simpson's boutique property set at the foot of the White Mountains in the west of the island, the culinary weeks provide a unique opportunity to learn how to recreate a selection of delicious Cretan dishes in an authentic setting. Demonstration dishes include traditional Skafia pies, served drizzled with honey; spiced tomato jam, prawn saganaki and kalamari kritharoto and traditional sourdough bread baking in the hotel's ancient bread oven.  In addition to the cookery lessons, there is a tasting session of local olive oils - Irini is a qualified Olive Oil Sommelier – gastronomic trips to learn about traditional cheesemaking techniques and a tour of a local vineyard.  After a week of immersion in the local cuisine, participants will even help to prepare the farewell dinner hosted by Irini.

 A popular champion, Irini brought Greek food into people's homes and hearts with its vibrant colours, simplicity of presentation and delicious, intense flavours.   Although having lived in the UK since the 1980s, she was born and raised in the Monofatsi area of Crete, not far from the island capital Heraklion.  Home cooked food was at the heart of family life as she was growing up.  She is passionate about the quality, fresh ingredients to be found on the island and it was this lifelong enthusiasm and love of authentic Greek cuisine, that inspired her entry into MasterChef.   The rest, as they say, is history.

 The holiday also provides plenty of time to enjoy the idyllic location.  The peaceful Arosmari Village Hotel is set in the traditional village of Vamos in the foothills of the White Mountains. Ten charming 1 and 2-bedroom stone and cypress wood cottages surround a beautiful garden, interspersed with touches of the rural past – a shepherd's hut, a threshing circle and even a small chapel are spread among the olive trees and lawn.  With its tranquil grounds, pool, small spa and Turkish Haman, it has plenty of relaxing corners to escape to. Alternatively, the local village of Vamos is a small slice of old Crete, whilst the pretty villages and golden beaches of western Crete and the cosmopolitan city of Chania, with its superb restaurants, colourful markets and spectacular Venetian harbour are just waiting to explored.

Simpson Travel's Culinary Weeks with a Master Chef at Arosmari take place on 19th-26th July and 26th July – 2 August 2022.  Prices from £1928 per person including flights, car hire, accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis, all demonstrations, workshops, tastings, local excursions and a farewell dinner.

For bookings, contact Simpson Travel (www.simpsontravel.com  020 8003 6557)

- Ends –

For further media information, please contact:

Sarah Bolam on 07714 337756 or email sarahbolamcommunications@gmail.com or Anthea Yabsley – 0208 578 6777 or email anthea.yabsley@ideal-pr.co.uk

Notes to Editors

Simpson Travel: Independently owned, Simpson Travel was established in 2002, yet its heritage predates this by many years. Founder Graham Simpson, a veteran of the travel industry, built up the highly successful Simply Travel in the 1970s with his Greek wife Yianna. From humble beginnings in a flat in Chiswick, it became one of the most respected independent travel companies of its time, renowned for offering authentic rather than 'packaged' holiday experiences, with carefully researched programmes, exceptional product knowledge and service. In Simpson Travel, he recreated the original ethos of Simply Travel, offering a very personal service, with individually selected properties, exceptional local knowledge for each destination and a highly experienced team of staff. Clients booking with Simpson Travel can be safe in the knowledge that their holiday has been created with their needs in mind and each property matched to their individual tastes and requirements.