The Times - 5 February, 2005
Turkish Treats
Jill Crawshaw
With traditional ingredients, of lamb, fresh fish, cheese, honey, yoghurt, olive oil, herbs and vegetables, Turkish cuisine has long been recognised as one of the healthiest by the World Health Organisation. But knowledge of its delights has been slow to filter through to British tourists.
Keen to promote the country’s gastronomic highlights, the upmarket Turkey tour operator Exclusive Escapes is introducing both intensive and informal cookery courses in May, June and October.
One of Turkey’s leading young chefs, Didem Senol, who trained at the Le Cirque in New York, will run a gourmet course at thecanyon-top Dionysos, a luxury boutique hotel with a Clarins spa, infinity pool and beach club, overlooking the Bay of Kumlubuk. Holidaymakers pay £990 for flights, full board and tuition.
At a more informal “hands-on” houseparty week at Misafir Evi, an eight-room retreat in the Kaya Valley, pupils will be encouraged to create their own dishes. The cost is £850, which includes flights transfers, half board, car hire, tuition and a gulet cruise.
There are no single supplements on either course. Exclusive Escapes (020 8605 3500, www.hiddenturkey.com)