Convivio Rome run Italian Cooking Holidays in a little medieval hilltop village called Toffia, which lies, in a magnificent region called Sabina, just north of Rome, in Italy.

I would highly recommend them as my friend and I had a wonderful week and we loved the casual but hugely informative and enjoyable cooking sessions, which were great fun and provided loads of insight into real Italian cooking. We actually got to stay in a little home inside the
ancient walls of Toffia, it was great to feel like one of the locals!

One of the highlights for me was the local olive grove tour as the information provided was interesting and valuable, the tasting delicious, and the whole thing a very welcoming experience.

All in all, they gave us a great balance of cooking, sightseeing, tours and leisure. Thanks go to Guido and Sally who run the holidays, for a great week filled with warmth, personal care, refreshing simplicity and a huge helping of inspiration.

Toffia, region of Sabina, near Rome in Italy.
Phone: ++39 0765 326 144
www.conviviorome.com

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Here you can find whatever you want to cook exactly like in China, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam or India.

A whole supermarket with fresh products imported from the whole Asian continent at bargain prices. Located in the Paris Chinatown which is also worth a visit.

44 Avenue d'IVRY
+33 1 44 06 88 18
Métro Olympiades

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See www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2007/oct/27/saturday.seville for details.

Open only on weekdays, between 1pm and 5pm.

c/Pedro del Toro, 12 (+954 214 115)
Hidden away on a narrow street Behind the Museo de Bellas Arte
picasaweb.google.com/yaniyoplin/CasaSalva

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Charles Royal runs these tours and he enthusiastically showed us the numerous wild plants that are edible on the island. He explained that the Kawakawa tree, Maori Bush Basil or Maori Pepper have many uses and gave us little sachets of the crushed, prepared leaves he said we could use to spice up many dishes. Charles told us there are seven edible varieties of ferns and pointed out the Hen and Chickens fern, which is surprisingly soft and sweet to the taste.

When we'd done exploring and sampling, he took us back down to Hinemoa's pool, where we sat dabbling our feet in the warmth as he produced on a camping stove, like a magician bringing a rabbit out of a hat, a selection of quick-cook courses, made with some of the herbs and ferns he'd just shown us.

It's an amazing experience of a Maori tradition and way of existing with the land that is truly wonderful.

Charles Royal, Kinaki NZ, PO Box 1030, Rotorua, Aotearoa, New Zealand. 0064 7 345 3122, www.maorifood.com

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Doesn't look like much from the outside but step inside and enjoy one of the very reasonable set four-course meals and relax in the shabby chic ambiance of the 96.

The best Cao Lau (noodle dish with crispy won tons) and white rose (steamed rice paper wrapped shrimp) made to the owner Bup's mother's secret recipe.

Bup also runs reasonably priced cooking classes during opening hours, so even if you don't join in you can watch at a safe distance from your table.

No. 96 Bach dang by the river.

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This is a hands-on cooking experience in the peaceful township of Kayamandi, where you explore the African food culture in a welcoming lady's home.

Prepare and taste ginger beer, steamed pot bread or sechu sa khoho (chicken stew) and share the everyday life with the community of Kayamandi on an interactive walk.

www.andulela.com/english/african_cooking.html

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It’s hands-on during the informal cooking workshop in a Bo-Kaap family home that follows a culinary walk through Cape Town's colourful Muslim quarter.

You will learn how to mix masala, fold samosas, and how to balance the delicate flavours of a Cape Malay curry. Real fun!

www.andulela.com/english/malay_cooking_workshop.html

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It was like a burst of sunshine and all that I had hoped for. A relaxed and fun holiday set in the Sabine Hills just north of Rome. Cooking lessons, luxury accomodation, a stroll through an olive grove and a day trip to Rome. Eating the fabulous food and wine tasting really topped it off. Our host, Sally, and the chef, Guido really looked after us.

www.conviviorome.com
Email: info@conviviorome.com
Tel: 00 39 0765 326144

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Last year three friends from uni did the organic cooking and farm tour holiday and loved it. A great mix of eating, drinking, cooking, seeing cute farms, lying around and sightseeing.

www.organictuscany.org
The cookery courses take place in La Selva, a small hamlet around half an hour from San Gimignano.

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Cheap, freshly cooked vegan/vegetarian food in the backpacker area of Bangkok. Particularly recommended are the Thai Green and Massaman curries with tofu.

May also runs half-day cooking courses that are well worth trying out, though a touch pricey - in Thai terms - at 1000baht (£12). Each course includes a hair-raising tuk-tuk trip to the markets to get the essential Thai ingredients followed by hands-on tuition for 10 or so dishes. You'll be eating each one after you make it so skip breakfast that morning.

Cross the road perpendicular to the Burger King end of the Khao San Road and find the restaurant in the alleyway behind. It's very easy to find if you have a map.
www.maykaidee.com

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