Greek Home Cooking Class at a Seaside Villa in Crete with Mary

4.5

Reviews

4.5 (6)

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4.5

Reviews

4.5 (6)

Earliest Date Available: October 19, 2026This experience is in high demand. Book now to lock in the next available date.

Free CancellationCancel for free up to 1 day before your experience

Food for HappinessFor every guest in your booking, we donate 10 meals to children around the world

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Location

Oropedio Lasithiou

Duration

3 hours

Group size

Max 10 guests

Language

English, French

Location

Oropedio Lasithiou

Duration

3 hours

Group size

Max 10 guests

Language

English, French

Why travelers loved this

4.5

•6 reviews

US$179.36 per guest

Instant Confirmation

Guest

Adult x1

Date

Add dates

Select Options

Earliest Date Available: October 19, 2026This experience is in high demand. Book now to lock in the next available date.

Free CancellationCancel for free up to 1 day before your experience

Food for HappinessFor every guest in your booking, we donate 10 meals to children around the world

Why book with byFood?

Japan's #1 food travel platform

Trusted by 50,000+ travelers worldwideCurated by food lovers, for food loversFeatured in CNN, Forbes & NYT

Description

Good to Know

A self-taught cook, Mary, is a strong promoter of Cretan cuisine, one of the healthiest and richest cuisines in the world. Her stunning family-owned villa, which is by the sea, is a short walk from Panormos, a pretty fishing village with a lovely beach and many bars and restaurants. In Mary's opinion, the secret to Cretan cuisine is simple recipes, with high quality local products. By cooking and sharing a tasty and healthy meal together, she aims for travelers to have a rich intercultural exchange and get to know Greek culinary traditions better. • Traditional Cretan cooking class using fresh and seasonal, in a stunning family-owned villa by the sea • Learn to cook ofto lamb or fresh seafood • Your Greek meal includes either wine (white or red) or tsikoudia-raki, a local alcoholic spirit, as well as herbal tea or fresh juice • Experience Greek hospitality, try some delicious home cooked food and enjoy the panoramic views of the vast sea and the cliffs • Vegetarian options available

Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
If any travelers in your party have any allergies, dietary restrictions or cooking preferences please advise at time of booking
Menu may vary depending on the season
Private, personalized experience
Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
Please carry your swimwear if you'd like to take a dip in the crystal clear sea, which is just in front of the house

Homecooked Meal

Alcoholic beverages

Alcoholic Beverages

Private cooking class with your host Mary

Hotel pickup and drop-off

Set in Mary’s stunning family-owned villa by the sea, this experience has been delighting guests for many years. Mary is passionate about sharing her Cretan cuisine and culinary traditions with guests from around the world. Upon arrival, you’ll see Mary’s lush garden and take in panoramic views of the expansive sea and rugged cliffs from the terrace — the perfect spot to enjoy your meal after the cooking class. During your 2-hour cooking class, you’ll learn to prepare authentic Cretan dishes using fresh, seasonal ingredients. The class can be either a demonstration or hands-on, so be sure to share your preference with Mary. You’ll cook a first course and a main dish — classic specialties like ofto lamb or fresh seafood, pies made with local wild herbs, and roasted vegetables or a crisp salad. After cooking, savor the meal you helped create alongside Mary while enjoying a breathtaking sunset if you choose the evening experience. The price includes alcohol, and your host will offer a choice of white or red wine, tsikoudia-raki (a local spirit), as well as herbal tea or fresh juice.

STARTER

Local rusk, cheese and pickled vegetables

MAIN

Seasonal pie

MAIN

Grilled lamb or fresh seafood

MAIN

Fresh salad or roasted vegetables

DESSERT

Fruits, or yogurt with honey

Meeting Point

Rodialos, Ρέθυμνο, Greece, GR, 740 57

Open in Google Maps

Meet Mary at her home in Panormo-Rethimnο. It is a one-hour drive from Heraklion, the capital of Crete. From Chanea airport or port, it is 80km to the east. From Heraklion airport or port, it is 60km to the west. Exact address can be found in your ticket upon booking confirmation.

End Point

This experience ends at the meeting point.

Free cancellation

Cancel up to 1 day before for a full refund.

No refund within 1 day of the experience or no-shows.

4.5

6 reviews

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6 reviews

Andrea_FJuly 2026 • Viator

A wonderful experience, would do this again.

Mary was very warm and welcoming. She has an extensive knowledge of Cretan cooking, and nutritional science. She gave a very comprehensive and interesting history of Cretan cuisine. She modified the cooking class to meet my pescatarian needs. The food was delicious, with many of the ingredients sourced from her property, and therefore very fresh. I was the only attendant for this class, so it was wonderful having a one-on-one experience. Her home is wonderful, with a very organic design, in ...read more

657lancerOctober 2025 • TripAdvisor

One of the best local experiences anyone could ever ask for! Mary is a one of kind amazing person!

Our afternoon with Mary was far beyond anything we expected — truly one of the highlights of our entire trip. Mary is a very special person: kind, genuine, and a wonderful host. From the moment she contacted us before the class, she made sure we had all the details we needed to find her home and feel comfortable. Her house itself is beautiful — perched on a scenic cliffside with amazing views — and immediately felt warm and welcoming. She greeted us outside with a big smile, and as my mother sa...read more

H8244NYalyssacOctober 2025 • TripAdvisor

Mary felt like family

Mary is not only the best cook, but an amazing human. The night truly felt like we were spending time with an old friend / family. We had great conversations and even better food. Not to mention, her farmhouse is beautiful and on the water!

Julien_VApril 2025 • Viator

Superbe expérience

Magnifique rencontre et un moment de partage et gustatif exceptionnel. A reproduite sans hésitation.

Response from ViatorMay 31, 2025

Dear guest, Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear that you had such a wonderful time during your cooking class in Crete. It means the world to us that you found it to be a special and memorable moment of connection and flavor. This was the reason we founded Traveling Spoon, to connect our travelers with locals around the world over authentic food. We would love to welcome you again in the future - thank you for choosing Traveling Spoon! Warm regards, Aashi

X2201INnicolagAugust 2023 • TripAdvisor

A culinary delight

The cooking experience with Mary was fantastic, she was an excellent host and the food was delicious. We would particularly recommend the evening experience as the view and sunset from the terrace was spectacular. Mary was very passionate about Cretan cooking but she was also very knowledgeable about Cretan history and culture. We could have sat and chatted with her over a glass of Raki for hours!!

Response from ViatorMay 31, 2025

Dear guest, Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a heartwarming review! We're thrilled to hear you had such a memorable experience with Mary. She truly embodies the heart and soul of Cretan hospitality, and it’s lovely to know her passion for local cuisine, history, and culture shone through. We couldn’t agree more, the evening views from her terrace are magical, and sharing raki with her makes it even more special! We hope you’ll be back to enjoy more Cretan flavors and stories soon.