Market Produce With Tasting Places you can discover the joys of cooking, using the finest local ingredients and learning the secrets of local dishes in a unique cooking holiday.

Locations, selected for their wonderful character and stunning surroundings, provide the perfect backdrop to relaxed and friendly classes hosted by some of the most innovative and exciting chefs in the world.

Wherever you choose you can expect an informal yet intensive exploration of regional cooking.

14 years of excellence

We offer a series of week-long cooking holidays in locations throughout Europe and the Far East. Designed for people who love and appreciate fine food and wine, the weeks are relaxed and informal. Through hands-on instruction, trips, tours and tastings, we will inspire you and provide you with the skills and knowledge to cook creatively when you return home.

We have carefully selected each location for its character and individuality, to make you feel at home and gain a genuine feel for the region as an invited guest and not as a tourist.

We believe that food is one of the joys of life. Our management style is very personal, and our attention to detail ensures that the courses are informative yet relaxed for all those participating. One feature on which you can depend is the long leisurely lunches and dinners, sampling delicious food and tasting a variety of excellent wines.

Guests will receive a comprehensive set of all the recipes from their course. We have access to wonderful and lesser known locations which have given us the opportunity to expand our portfolio to organising specialist, tailor made groups and workshops.

We are delighted to be celebrating our 14th anniversary of running successful cookery holidays internationally. We have received much recognition in the press and many accolades for our holidays and personal service. We would like to thank all our guests who have supported us over the 14 years, particularly the many friends who keep coming back.

Some feedback from press and clients

"I just wanted to thank you and everyone there for such an incredible holiday at La Foresteria. Each day I thought "this can't get any better" and each day it did! That is mainly due to the incredible attitude and demeanor of all of you. My mum, sister and I just had a fantastic time. We are clients for life and are thinking of Thailand for next October."

"…our week with Tasting Places was unbelievable - we had the most memorable, fun-filled, happy cooking week… a success because of the wonderful people you have .. a wonderful concept and operation"
Sandy Hird

"The villa and the food were exceptional but especially the staff and the care you put into organising and looking after us all "
Tracy Bywater, Sicily

"Tucking into fragrant, steaming mounds of spinach and saffron ravioli, radicchio, pecorino and sultana tortellini, and tagliatelle in a pungent hare sauce, we couldn't believe that we had done it all ourselves. It tasted too good "
Daily Mail, Tessa Boasse,
Veneto

"What a wonderful week. Really. You are just so much fun. The course was incredible"
Amy and Ray, Sicily

"Alastair Little's apple-and-prune tart in sweet almond pastry with a zabaglione filling drew roars of applause when I recreated it at home"
Gourmet Traveller,
Janet Tibble, Tuscany

Management & Courses

The managing Partners of Tasting Places are Sarah Robson and Sara Schwartz. Sarah and Sara believe that food is not just about sustenance; it is one of the joys of life ~ taken at a leisurely pace and enhanced by excellent wine and an atmosphere of warm hospitality. Their management style is very personal, and their attention to detail ensures that the courses are informative yet relaxed for all those participating.

Alastair Little and Martin Saxon are partners in Tasting Places. As well as being involved in our cookery holidays and food & wine consultancy, they play a major role in the running of the company.

Jarka Hinksman is a recent partner and works in the London office dealing with administration, PR and bookings.

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