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Cretan Cooking Class in Chania

Learn to cook traditional Cretan food in a gorgeous setting

Highlights of the Cretan Cooking Class in Chania

  • Start times 10:00am or 4:00pm. Duration approximately 4 hours.
  • Hosted by a local (young!) Cretan grandmother
  • Learn to cook 6+ traditional Cretan foods
  • Knead and roll out dough for kalitsounia, traditional Cretan pies
  • Gather herbs from the garden to make stuffed vegetables and dolmades
  • Prepare lamb in the wood-fired stone oven
  • Get all the recipes emailed to you so you can make them back home

We’ve teamed up with our favorite local cook to offer traditional Cretan cooking lessons to our guests. Cretan food is the basis of the Mediterranean diet, so not only is it delicious but also very healthy! This class is booked directly with Veerna’s Kitchen. 

This Cretan cooking class takes place just 15 minutes outside of Chania Town in a small village under the shade of avocado and olive trees. It’s in this setting you’ll learn how to prepare and cook over 6 different types of Crete’s most famous dishes.

First, you’re welcomed to the family’s property with refreshments of coffee or juice and traditional biscuits, or even a shot of raki if you so desire! 

The oven-roasted lamb is the first dish prepared so it can cook for over 2 hours in the wood-fired stone oven. Learn all about why this dish is called “the thieves dinner” and its historic significance.  

Next, you’ll prepare stuffed vegetables and stuffed grape leaves (dolmades). Gather herbs from the garden for the stuffing. Rolling grape leaves is a delicate skill that you will master! In the oven they go.

Get your rolling pins out, the dough of the kalitsnounia is next! Roll out the dough for these traditional pies and fill them with cheese and wild greens. 

Appetizers are prepared last but enjoyed first. Tzatziki, dakos, and Cretan salad. These simple yet delicious dishes are sure to be your favorite snacks to recreate at home. 

Time to eat! Enjoy all of the beautiful traditional Cretan dishes you’ve created with copious amounts of local wine. 

This Chania cooking class is a family affair. Don’t be surprised if you’re joined by the host’s family members who are happy to tell you jokes, stories, and about life on Crete. 

The cooking class is offered daily. 

For private cooking classes on a different day or time, please contact us. 

Duration is approximately 4 hours.

Price per person is 105€.

This cooking class in Chania does NOT include transportation. The property  is only 10-15 minutes drive outside of Chania Town easily reached by taxi or rental car. The location will be emailed to you upon confirmation. 

Group classes are a minimum of 2 participants and up to 12. Solo travelers, please message them to book. For large groups, please message them for availability and discounts.    

Be sure to leave room for dessert. Something sweet and seasonal.

Book Directly with Veerna's Kitchen