Crete Food & Culture Journey

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Crete Food & Culture Journey

11–18 May 2027 | Villa Iokasti, Koutouloufari, Crete

Flavours, Traditions & Stories of Home

Spend a week with me in the Crete where I was born and raised. Cook, taste, explore and meet the people who keep the island’s culinary traditions alive. From family kitchens and vineyards to pottery workshops and organic farms, this is an opportunity to experience Crete through its food, its people and its generous hospitality.

This is not an ordinary cooking holiday. It is an invitation to share something of my life, my heritage and the island that continues to shape who I am.

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At a glance

LOCATION: Villa Iokasti, Koutouloufari, Crete

DATES: 11–18 May 2027 (7 nights)

GROUP SIZE: Intimate small group

WHO IT’S FOR: Food lovers, curious travellers, solo guests, couples and friends who enjoy good food, culture and meaningful experiences.

EXPERIENCE INCLUDES: Cretan cooking sessions, olive oil and honey tastings, visits to local producers, wine tasting, traditional pottery, memorable meals and time to relax.

ACCOMMODATION: A charming, family-run boutique property with comfortable apartments, beautiful outdoor spaces and a swimming pool.

AIRPORT: Heraklion International Airport (HER)

PRICES: From £2,350

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Welcome to My Crete

Crete has always been much more than the place of my birth. It is where my love of food began, where I learnt the importance of hospitality and where so many of my earliest memories were formed around the family table.

Since winning MasterChef UK in 2019, I have had the pleasure of sharing my passion for cooking with people from many different walks of life. But there is something especially rewarding about welcoming guests to my own island and introducing them to the flavours, traditions and people I have known and loved for so long.

During our week together, I want you to experience the Crete that I know. Not simply through the dishes we cook or the places we visit, but through the conversations, stories and encounters that bring those experiences to life.

We will eat very well, of course. We will also learn, laugh, explore and hopefully make a few lasting friendships along the way.

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Our Home for the Week: Villa Iokasti

Our base is the delightful Villa Iokasti, a small, family-owned boutique property in Koutouloufari, a traditional village in the hills above Hersonissos.

What makes Iokasti particularly special is the hospitality of the family who run it. Kaiti, Eleni and their team bring genuine warmth, care and pride to everything they do, helping guests feel at home from the moment they arrive.

The accommodation combines contemporary comfort with touches of Cretan tradition. There is a choice of studios, one-bedroom apartments and maisonettes, each thoughtfully furnished.

Outside, pretty gardens, inviting terraces and a swimming pool provide lovely places to relax between our activities.

The restaurant is another reason I love Iokasti. The food celebrates local ingredients and traditional flavours, served with the kind of generosity that makes dining in Crete such a pleasure.

You will have time to enjoy the surroundings, sit by the pool with a book, wander through the village or simply relax over a coffee.

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What we will experience

Cooking Together

Cretan food is rooted in simplicity, seasonality and the quality of its ingredients.

During our cooking sessions, we will prepare traditional dishes, explore familiar and perhaps less familiar ingredients, and talk about the techniques and customs that have been passed down through generations.

Some recipes will come from my own family traditions, while others will reflect the wonderful variety of cooking found across the island.

Whether you are a confident cook or someone who simply enjoys good food, you will be equally welcome. These sessions are intended to be relaxed, sociable and enjoyable, with plenty of opportunities to ask questions, share experiences and, naturally, taste what we prepare.

Olive Oil and Honey: Two of Crete’s Greatest Treasures

As a qualified olive oil and honey sommelier, I take particular pleasure in introducing guests to these two ingredients, which have been fundamental to Cretan life for centuries.

During our tastings, I will explain how to recognise excellent extra virgin olive oil through its aroma, flavour and characteristic peppery finish.

We will also explore the wonderful variety of Cretan honeys, learning how flowers, herbs and different landscapes influence their distinctive aromas and flavours.

My hope is that you will leave with a much greater appreciation of both, along with the confidence to choose good-quality products when you return home.

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Pottery and a Little Cretan History

One of my favourite experiences takes us to the studio of a local potter, where we will try our hands at an art that has been part of Cretan life since Minoan times.

With expert guidance, we will shape our own traditional Greek salad dish from clay, creating something personal to take home.

There is something wonderfully relaxing about working with your hands, and the pottery session is always a lovely opportunity for the group to get to know one another.

Wines of Crete

Crete has a long history of winemaking and is home to some fascinating indigenous grape varieties.

We will visit a local winery to learn about the island’s winemaking traditions, explore its vineyards and taste a selection of wines that reflect the character of its land and climate.

For those already familiar with Cretan wines, there may be a few surprises. For others, this will be an introduction to a wine culture that deserves far greater recognition.

From Farm to Table

One of the highlights of our week is a visit to an organic and biodynamic farm where traditional agricultural practices, sustainability and exceptional food come together.

We will explore the farm, learn about the ingredients being cultivated and see how they are used in the kitchen.

Then comes the part I particularly love: watching food being prepared as it has been for generations, using simple ingredients, traditional methods and the heat of an open wood fire.

We will gather around the table for a generous lunch, enjoying food that expresses the very essence of Cretan cooking.

Eating and Drinking Together

Naturally, food will be at the heart of our week.

We will enjoy delicious meals at Villa Iokasti, sample traditional dishes prepared with seasonal ingredients and visit some of the places I particularly enjoy.

There will be long lunches, good wine, lively conversations and opportunities to experience the generosity of Cretan hospitality.

One of our evenings will be spent enjoying seafood at a favourite restaurant, while our welcome and farewell dinners at Villa Iokasti will give us the chance to begin and end our week around the table.

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Travelling with Me

One of the things I value most about hosting these retreats is the opportunity to bring people together.

Some guests arrive with a partner or a friend, while many travel on their own. I understand that joining a group of strangers can sometimes feel daunting, particularly at the beginning.

But cooking, eating and sharing experiences have a lovely way of bringing people together. Often, by the end of the first day, everyone feels remarkably comfortable.

I will be with you throughout the retreat, taking care of the arrangements, introducing you to the people we meet and sharing the stories behind the places we visit.

There will be plenty of opportunities to enjoy one another’s company, but there is never any pressure to participate in every conversation or social moment. Time to yourself is equally important.

Above all, I want you to feel relaxed, welcomed and genuinely cared for.

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  • Seven nights’ accommodation at Villa Iokasti, with breakfast
  • Return airport transfers from and to Heraklion airport
  • Welcome and farewell dinners at Villa Iokasti
  • Visit to a Byzantine church, museum followed by cooking class and lunch at John’s and my favourite taverna
  • Guided pottery experience, including lunch and wine
  • Visit to an organic farm, cooking class & lunch
  • Winery visit, tasting and lunch
  • Four cooking classes in total
  • Guided olive oil tasting
  • Guided honey tasting
  • A back and shoulders massage
  • Transport for all scheduled excursions
  • Gratuities for included activities
  • A reusable water bottle
  • My personal hosting throughout the week

  • Flights to and from Crete
  • Comprehensive travel insurance
  • Meals not specifically included in the programme
  • Drinks other than those specifically included
  • Personal purchases and expenses

Retreat cost

Prices for the different accommodation categories are as follows:

  • Studio flat (sole occupancy): £2,500
  • 1 Bed Flat (sole occupancy): £2,750
  • 1 Bed Flat (shared accommodation): £2,350
  • 2 Bed Flat (2 people sharing): £2,450

A 25% deposit is required to secure a confirmed place, with the balance payable eight weeks before arrival. A monthly instalment option may also be available.

I keep my retreats intentionally small so that everyone can enjoy a personal, relaxed and sociable experience.

Places are confirmed individually to ensure that the retreat is suitable for you and that the group will be comfortable together.

Please wait until your place has been confirmed before booking flights.

Full booking terms and conditions are available on this website. A detailed itinerary and practical information will be shared closer to departure.

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If you would like to know more, or have any questions about whether this retreat would be right for you, please email me at irini@irinicooks.com.

I would be delighted to welcome you to Crete and share a little of the island I will always call home.

“One of my favourite holidays of all time, great food, making new friends with beautiful people, amazing location and being spoilt rotten. I could not ask for anything more.”

Philippa C.

“The passion of everyone at Villa Iokasti is equal to that of Irini's in their pursuit of excellence and willingness to go above and beyond. Simply the Best!”

Linda C.