DAY ONE
Arrive in Morocco – Arrival and transfer to the Atlas Mountains
Arrive at Marrakech International Airport. A private transfer will be organised for you from the airport to take you directly to the mountains (1.5 hrs). Here you will stay in a historic Kasbah that has been renovated and will be used by us for the cookery delights that await. You will meet David Atherton and your Expedition Leader from The Adventure Boutique. Relax in the evening getting to know your fellow cookery contestants and soaking in the mountain views.
DAY TWO
First Cookery Challenge
Enjoy a morning walk around the area with your Expedition Leader and a local guide. This orientation walk will give you more of an insight on how local people live as well as offering further views of the surrounding valleys and mountains.
Return to start your first cookery challenge in the afternoon with a local chef. One of the traditional Moroccan foods on the menu is the traditional Berber dish of Tagine.
DAY THREE
Women’s Argan Oil cooperative and bread making workshop
This morning you will visit a women’s co-operative that makes Argan Oil. Not only can you try your hand at making this fabulous and healthy oil, but you’ll have opportunity to make Amlou, a delicious spread of Moroccan cuisine made from the Argan Oil, almonds and honey.
In the afternoon there will be a demonstration of bread making, followed by your turn in making a selection of Moroccan breads such as Batbout, Msemen Maamar and Beghrir. The Amlou from earlier can be quite mouth-watering when spread on any of these breads.
DAY FOUR
Day trek to the Azzaden Valley and dinner with a local Berber family
Today you will trek to the nearby Azzaden Valley. The adventure will involve trekking up and over a pass to descend and finally arrive in the late afternoon or early evening in this Berber valley. From the top of the pass, you will have stunning views looking back at the village you’ve just come from and to the one you will soon be heading to. These views can be enjoyed while eating a lovely lunch specially prepared by our Berber chefs as a reward for your hard work in reaching the top of the pass.
After arriving, you will be taught by the local Berber people from this valley in conjunction with David, on how to prepare cuisine such as Harir soup and Medfouna which is a special Berber pizza.
DAY FIVE
Return to Marrakech
There will be another cooking challenge in the morning followed by a transfer to Marrakech. Later that day you will learn to make Moroccan sweets. These traditional pastries can be made from locally sourced ingredients such as dates, figs, oranges, cinnamon, honey and roses. They are a real delicacy and an art form to create.
This will be followed by a refreshing and traditional Moroccan tea ceremony where you will learn about the etiquette, history and meaning behind this cultural delight.
DAY SIX
Spice Markets, lunch cooking session and Jemaa el-Fnaa
In the morning you will explore the spice markets. The sights, sounds and smells as you wander through the souks and markets will be a wondrous array to your senses. Morocco is a haven for quality and healthy spices that include the likes of cinnamon, turmeric, saffron, paprika, coriander, nutmeg, cayenne pepper, ginger, fenugreek, caraway, cumin plus many more!
Why not buy some of these spices to take back home with you. You will certainly need some for your next challenge. For lunch, you will put your newfound culinary skills to use by creating a dish designed by yourself based on what you’ve learnt throughout your cookery journey. David will be on hand with a local chef every step of the way to help where needed.
The evening will allow you to experience another specialty of Morocco, their street food. The atmosphere is magical as the street food stalls are located in Jemaa el-Fnaa, the main square in Marrakech steeped in history, that served as the lifeblood of the city since its foundation about 1000 years ago. To this day, the square comes alive with storytellers and dancers, narrating the history and legends that enrich this culture. In fact, Unesco has inscribed Jemaa el-Fnaa as a place of unique cultural exchange.
DAY SEVEN
Bastilla making workshop
Wake up to a leisurely morning before learning over lunchtime how to make another delicious Moroccan specialty, Bastilla. The origin can be traced back several centuries and it can be considered the ultimate Moroccan meal, traditionally being served at special events. Tasting this meal can transport you to the variety of terrain in Morocco, whether it’s the mountains of the High Atlas or to the Sahara Desert.
The evening will bring more great food and entertainment as you will celebrate your last day here enjoying a special meal.
DAY EIGHT
Departure
Time to take your journey, memories and innovative culinary skills home.