Taste Life With Me

Through flavours, travels, stories and memories that make life rich

COOK WITH ME

Browse Recipes

ABOUT ME

Read My Story

Why Join a Retreat

Tired of complicated travel planning? Longing for authentic experiences without the stress of organizing every detail?

Join a small group of no more than 14 like-minded food lovers for an expertly curated culinary adventure in the Mediterranean. Whether you’re traveling solo or as a couple, you’ll discover authentic flavours, learn hands-on cooking techniques, and explore local culture with confidence and ease.

Return home with new skills, wonderful memories, and perhaps a few new friends too.

Upcoming Retreats
Morocco Culinary, Cultural & Wellness Retreat (Marrakech)

Morocco Culinary, Cultural & Wellness Retreat (Marrakech)

31Jan - 7 Feb 2027
Limited Places Available
Morocco Culinary & Wellness Retreat (Agadir)

Morocco Culinary & Wellness Retreat (Agadir)

10–17 Nov 2026 – Sold out
17–24 January 2027 – Limited Places Available
Italy Culinary and Heritage Retreat (Eastern Sicily)

Italy Culinary and Heritage Retreat (Eastern Sicily)

21st – 28th September 2027
SOLD OUT
Italy Culinary and Heritage Retreat (Western Sicily)

Italy Culinary and Heritage Retreat (Western Sicily)

20th – 27th April 2027
Reserve your place
Greece Culinary & Wellness Retreat (Crete)

Greece Culinary & Wellness Retreat (Crete)

19 - 26 June 2027 - Reserve your place
ABOUT ME

Read My Story

About me

I’m Irini Tzortzoglou, a Greek-born chef and winner of MasterChef UK 2019, passionate about blending my Cretan food heritage with a love of cooking, culture, and human connection. I grew up in a small village in Crete and spent over 30 years in London before reinventing my life around food after MasterChef. Since then, I’ve become an author, olive oil and honey sommelier, columnist, and host of culinary retreats. Based in the Lake District, I lead food-focused retreats in Greece, Morocco, and beyond, where I celebrate storytelling, shared meals, and the joy of cooking, while championing food as a source of memory, identity, and community.

Guest Experiences
“

Dear Irini, you gave us a marvellous week. It was so much better than I could have imagined, with every moment packed with fun, knowledge and friendship. Your organisational skills are superb. It couldn’t be better because of your passion, enthusiasm, care and values. Bravo!”

LCCrete Retreats
“

Absolutely one of my favourite holidays of all time — great food, new friends, amazing location and being spoilt rotten. I could not ask for anything more.

PH.CCrete Retreats
“

Thank you for all your hard work planning and presenting a superb view of Cretan culture and foods. Your recipes are sensational — I’m already planning Friday family dinners inspired by you!

Anne HCrete Retreats
“

Being on your October retreat was an amazing experience Irini. I cannot thank you enough for your energy, passion and love – the food wasn’t bad either!

Robert TCrete Retreats
“

This holiday has to be one of the best I’ve ever been on. Crammed full with gastronomic experiences, awe-inspiring visits, and the warmest hospitality from Irini and John

AnonSaga Holidays
“

Irini gave us not just cookery skills, but also an insight into Greek culture and life. Everything she arranged was excellent — a truly exceptional holiday.

AnonSaga Holidays
“

Irini is a bright light. Her storytelling, her joy, her knowledge of food and culture filled us up in every way — hearts, minds, and stomachs. I feel like I’ve made a close friend.

Becky DWayfinding Women
“

You are a joy to know and learn from. Thank you for sharing your love, your time, and your gifts. You are a true blessing

Julie VWayfinding Women
“

The perfect reset in the dark days of winter. Irini’s inspiring cookery sessions alongside Hilary’s Pilates created a week that was both productive and restorative. I came home rejuvenated and ready to take on the world.

Deborah D.L.Morocco Retreats
“

Such a fabulous time — stimulating, refreshing, and full of culinary and cultural discoveries. Thank you so much.

Diane CMorocco Retreats
COOK WITH ME

Browse Recipes

Recipes for every occasion
Crunchy Olive Oil & Spice Biscuits – Paximadakia

Crunchy Olive Oil & Spice Biscuits – Paximadakia

These biscuits remind me of the flavours that scented many Cretan kitchens when I was growing up. Orange, cinnamon, cloves and sesame are ingredients deeply woven into our food traditions,…
Butter Beans With Roasted Butternut Squash and North African Spices

Butter Beans With Roasted Butternut Squash and North African Spices

Sweet vegetables often become far more interesting when paired with ingredients that absorb and balance their richness. Here, chickpeas provide earthiness and substance, while warming North African spices give depth…
Butternut Squash and Feta Pie Made With Home Made Epirus Style Filo

Butternut Squash and Feta Pie Made With Home Made Epirus Style Filo

The secret to the delicious flavour of this pie is the extra virgin olive oil based home made filo and the roasting of the butternut squash before using.  I cut…
Insights & Inspiration
The Candle That Follows Me to the Mediterranean.

The Candle That Follows Me to the Mediterranean.

The Candle That Follows Me to the Mediterranean. I love beautiful ingredients, but my appreciation of quality goes far beyond food. It might be a silk-printed cushion, a beautifully made…
Know Your Olive Oil

Know Your Olive Oil

The Ultimate Olive Oil Glossary: A Sommelier’s Guide to Buying, Tasting and Understanding Extra Virgin Olive Oil Olive oil is one of the world’s oldest foods and a superfood, yet…
The beauty of what has been broken.

The beauty of what has been broken.

You rarely expect a quiet craft to stop you in your tracks. But that is exactly what kintsugi did — and it happened, as many of the most significant things…
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