Cretan Cooking Experience in Chania with Meal

What a wonderful experience! This organic Cretan cooking class was one of the highlights of our time in Crete. We picked fresh vegetables, herbs and fruit straight from the garden, which made every dish incredibly flavourful and authentic. The hosts were warm, welcoming and passionate about sharing traditional Cretan recipes and the stories behind them. Everything was hands-on, easy to follow and suitable for cooks of all levels. Sitting down afterwards to enjoy the meal we had prepared together, paired with local wine and surrounded by the beautiful countryside, made the experience even more special. If you’re looking for an authentic taste of Cretan culture, this class is a must. It’s far more than a cooking lesson—it’s a memorable experience that connects you with the island’s traditions, hospitality and incredible local produce. Highly recommended!

My 22-year old daughter and I went to this hands-on cooking class. My daughter does not enjoy cooking, and you could tell she was doing it to make me happy, putting on her “grin and bear it “ face. We both loved it! The Viglakis could read her mood, and they gently motivated her and got her going. I’m one of the few in my family that cannot handle olives; I think they taste nasty. To be nice, I tried their homemade olives. What a revelation! Olives can taste good! The time flew by. The class was relaxed. We chopped and rolled, and cut - and ate. It was a great addition to our Cretan trip, and I recommend it wholeheartedly.

We just left this experience and had the most lovely time with Costa and Phillipa. The four hours just flew by and I was sad when it was time to leave. They make you feel like part of the family. They are both so welcoming and knowledgeable. We loved the tour of the garden, picking the vegetables and herbs we were going to be using in the meal and meeting the sheep. The cooking instruction was very straightforward so even if you aren’t comfortable cooking they will make it approachable. The food was so delicious and we tried some new things we have never tried before. We would definitely come back for another visit. Yamas!

Wow! What an experience! We spent an amazing half of a day as a family of four with Philippa and Kosta. This was a true highlight for us and our kids (ages 12 and 9). Philippa and Kosta are amazing people, gracious hosts and knowledgeable guides / ambassadors for all things Crete. Our kids were included in everything and had a blast. We thoroughly enjoyed our time together, learned great tips (gardening, cooking, life)…. And of course, what a feast!

We had the pleasure of attending a Hands on Cretan Cooking class recently. The passion that Phillipa and Kosta have for preparing Cretan meals from local and home grown ingredients is outstanding. It was a highligh to be able to walk around their garden and pick some of the vegetables we prepared and ate. The dishes we cooked were delicious and the experience was made extra special by the fun and laughter our hosts created.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Absolutely Outstanding Family Experience in Chania! This was one of the highlights of our trip to Crete and an experience our entire family will remember for years. From the moment we arrived, our hosts made us feel incredibly welcome and part of their family. Their warmth, hospitality, and passion for sharing the traditions of Crete were truly exceptional. The hands-on cooking class was far more than just a cooking lesson—it was an immersive cultural experience. We learned so much about traditional Cretan life, local customs, and the history behind the dishes we prepared. Using fresh ingredients picked directly from the garden made everything feel authentic and special. The food was absolutely delicious, and the drinks were wonderful as well. Every dish reflected the rich culinary traditions of Crete, and it was fascinating to learn the techniques and stories behind each recipe. What made this experience especially meaningful was how much our teenage children enjoyed it. They were fully engaged throughout the class, learned a tremendous amount about Cretan culture and cooking, and had an incredible time. It's not always easy to find activities that genuinely captivate teenagers while also being enjoyable for adults, but this experience did exactly that. The hosts were simply fantastic—knowledgeable, engaging, patient, and genuinely passionate about sharing their culture. If you are traveling to Chania, I cannot recommend this experience highly enough. It is authentic, educational, delicious, and unforgettable. A true 5-star experience in every way!

This is a fabulous cooking lesson if you wish to get a great feeling for Greek life and delicious Greek home cooking. Phillippa and her husband Kostos could not be more welcoming and more knowledgeable about authentic Greek food and the Greek way of life. They have a wonderful organic garden which supplies much of your menu so your meal is prepared with fresh ingredients. They are very experienced and really know how to run a great class. This was one of the highlights of our almost month long trip in Greece.

My wife and I are spending two weeks in Greece, visiting from the US, and this has been our favorite experience so far! The hosts are warm, genuine, and easygoing. We really enjoyed prepping the ingredients for several dishes, including a trip through their family garden to pick fresh vegetables. We enjoyed an appetizer of dakos before making dolmades and other stuffed vegetables, fried cheese and vegetable pies, and a very fresh salad. The meal also included chips fried in a cast iron skillet over an open flame, and a delicious dish of chicken and artichoke hearts. Our favorite part was probably the conversation with this lovely family. It was also our favorite meal in Greece so far, at a very reasonable price for a 4-hour experience. We couldn't recommend the experience more!

Wow! We have taken cooking classes in several countries. This one is at the top of the list. Phillipa and Kosta are welcoming, charming, and very generous with their time, home, and knowledge. The focus of this class is farm to table food preparation. We picked almost all the seasonal vegetable from their garden and prepared a number of dishes from scratch. They showed us how all of the ingredients, stems and all, could be used to improve the taste and quality of the meal while being sustainable. All of the techniques are accessible to cooks of all levels. The philosophy of Cretan cooking and life is discussed throughout the class, with wonderful anecdotes and stories of Cretan life. Finally, enjoying our meal with our hosts over wine and a taste of raki was the highlight. We will carry this philosophy of cooking, and life, with us back to our home and family. Thank you so much, Philippa and Kosta! We will be back, with more of our family.

We had a beautiful time making a meal and learning about the family’s way of life. They were so friendly and accommodating. We sat and talked with them for hours. Can’t recommend enough!