FOOD
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Whilst
some holidaymakers crave simple R&R on their vacations,others love an opportunity to explore and discover the heartand soul of a country, and what better way to do so than through its cuisine. Culinaryholidays offer a wonderful insight into a country’s heritage and social environment,through the ingredients that are grown and used, to the cooking and eating of thedishes, you are treated to a truly unique and enjoyable experience. You may evendiscover a previously unknown flairforcooking…Wehavetravelledaroundtheglobe to findsomeofthemosttantalisingculinaryvacations.
AFTER A HOLIDAY WITH A TWIST?FOLLOW YOUR TASTEBUDS TO ARANGE OF UNUSUAL OPTIONS.
BY
// GEORGINA WILSON-POWELL
CREATE CHOCOLATE DELIGHTS IN
BELGIUM
The Kempinski Hotel Dukes’ Palace in Bruges effortlesslysums up European elegance and aristocratic architectureand is the perfect luxury base for a city break in one ofBelgium’s most exciting cities. The fivestarhotelisafifteenthcentury castle, once home to the Duke of Burgundy, whichhas been renovated so that every room includes originalfeatures, whilst six suites are historically listed.Whilst you’re in town taking in the beautiful art galleriesand museums, why not learn something else aboutBelgian culture – their innate love of and talent for creatingsumptuous dishes, from mouth watering, rich chocolatesand trufflestofreshshrimpsfromZeebruggeandreputedly,the best turbot in the world.For select small groups of people (ten at the most), thehotel will open up its professional kitchen to guests everyafternoon for high level cooking lessons with the hotel’s chef.Under his watchful eye you’ll learn about the history behindsome of Belgium’s most famous dishes – ‘col vert’ duck,traditional lace cookies and of course the chocolates!The hotel’s restaurant, Manuscript, has been attractingawards since it opened last year and the classes include athree course meal and canapés, after all the hard work isdone in the kitchen.A two hour lesson is on offer daily and can be tailoredto suit particular preferences. It can also be expanded toinclude gastronomic etiquette lessons for the discerningdiner.AED1,235 per person for cooking lesson and a 3-coursemeal. Accomodation available separately.
WWW.KEMPINSKI-BRUGES.COM
BAKE LIKE A BEDOUIN IN
JORDAN...
Only a short hop from the UAE is the ancient city ofPetra in Jordan. Carved into the red rock faces, thisancient Nabataean city was built around 100 BC,but is still considered one of the ‘modern’ sevenwonders of the world and is beautifully preserved.Petra is a jaw dropping destination no matter whatyou intend to do once you’ve arrived. Even more soif you decide to stay a few days and learn how tocook traditional Middle Eastern fare such as babaghanoush, fattoush and sambousek b’jibn.Whilst you’ll arrive in Jordan’s capital, Amman,you’ll soon head to Petra via Mt Nebo, which looksover the Dead Sea, and roll your sleeves up thatvery evening to get stuck into learning how tomake the delicacies at Petra Kitchen. The cookingschool is run by local women who will teach youold family recipes, passed down for generations.For the next three days you’ll spend part of theday exploring Petra and nearby crusader forts andshopping at local markets for ingredients and thensettle down in the evenings to learn how to maketypical Jordanian dishes including honey drencheddesserts and melt in your mouth kebabs. It’s aschedule that is both relaxing and stimulating –full of history, culture, conversation and of course,eating! Day six is a special culinary lesson outdoorat Neolithic Baidha where you learn how to makethe traditional Bedouin dish, zarb, in a sealed clayoven.Accommodation is in the beautiful TaybetZamann, a restored eighteenth century Bedouinvillage, set round courtyards, a swimming pooland hamman. No trip would be complete toJordan without a salty floatintheDeadSea, the lowest point on the Earth’ssurface, with a night at the fivestar Movenpick hotel beforereturning to Amman thenext day. All in all, a weekthat will delight all thesenses.AED7,302 per personper week (excludingmeals and beverages.)
WWW.HOLIDAYONTHEMENU.COM
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Below: The city of Nabataean,Jordan and right, traditionalfattoush.Left to right: One of the culinarytreats served up at the KempinskiHotel Dukes' Palace, which is alsopictured.
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