Cookies! They are not just something we eat. This site uses cookies so we can provide you the best user experience and deliver advertising and offers that are relevant to you. To read more about our cookie policy, including how to change your cookie settings, please read our Privacy and Cookie Policy. By continuing to use the site you are agreeing to our cookie policy.
I accept
VIEW PHOTOS
VIEW PHOTOS

Host: Stamatia & Kostas

Crete, Greece

USD
$89 per person

Crete Cooking Class with Cheese Making and Olive Oil Tasting near Rethymno

Host offerings
  • Rural farmhouse
  • Home cook
  • Pets
  • Vegetarian
  • Alcohol
  • Transportation
  • Cooking class
  • Market visit
  • Food tour

Meet Stamatia & Kostas

Stamatia and Kostas are a warm Cretan couple who welcome travelers into their home near Rethymno for an authentic Crete cooking class and cultural experience. Born and raised in Chania, Crete, Stamatia learned traditional Cretan recipes from her mother and grandmother, while Kostas, who holds a PhD in food nutrition, enjoys sharing his knowledge of local ingredients, Cretan cuisine, and the island’s food traditions. Together, they offer guests a true taste of Crete through homemade food, local stories, and heartfelt Cretan hospitality.

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

Cooking experience: (2-12 guests) Step into the home of Stamatia and Kostas near Rethymno for an intimate 4-hour Crete cooking class that offers a refined introduction to the flavors, traditions, and hospitality of the island. This small-group, hands-on culinary experience begins with a guided tasting of premium extra virgin olive oils, followed by a traditional Cretan cheese-making demonstration. Then cook alongside Stamatia as you prepare authentic family recipes using seasonal vegetables, local herbs, and exceptional olive oil sourced from nearby producers. Throughout the experience, your hosts share stories of village life, Cretan customs, and the island’s celebrated Mediterranean cuisine, offering guests a deeper connection to local culture. After cooking, gather around the family table to enjoy your homemade meal with local wine, raki, and warm Cretan hospitality. Depending on the season, guests may also pick fresh fruit from the garden to take home. Ideal for couples, families, and small groups seeking an authentic and elevated cooking experience in Crete; private bookings are available for groups of 6 or more. Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, lactose-free, and other dietary needs can be accommodated with advance notice.

Notes: Choose the optional private transfers for round-trip transportation within a 60 km radius, including Chania and Heraklion.

Languages spoken: English, Greek, German

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • Arrival: Homemade traditional Cretan refreshment, rusks, and local seasonal snacks
  • Olive Oil Experience: Guided tasting of premium extra virgin olive oils
  • Cheese Making: Hands-on preparation of fresh traditional Cretan cheese
  • Traditional Cretan Mains: Kalitsounia, seasonal gemista or dolmadakia, and homemade Cretan moussaka
  • Dessert: Traditional dumplings or sweet Cretan cheese pies drizzled with honey
  • Drinks: Local red or white wine, raki, soft drinks, mineral water, and coffee

Stamatia & Kostas

$89 USD

per person
100% VETTED
Learn more
  • No waiting! Booking confirmed instantly
  • 100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back
  • Private experience
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $89 $89
Alcohol
 $0 per person
Transportation
 $269 per car
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $89 $89
Alcohol
 $0 per person
Transportation
 $269 per car
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 11:00am-3:00pm

Meet Stamatia & Kostas

Stamatia and Kostas are a warm Cretan couple who welcome travelers into their home near Rethymno for an authentic Crete cooking class and cultural experience. Born and raised in Chania, Crete, Stamatia learned traditional Cretan recipes from her mother and grandmother, while Kostas, who holds a PhD in food nutrition, enjoys sharing his knowledge of local ingredients, Cretan cuisine, and the island’s food traditions. Together, they offer guests a true taste of Crete through homemade food, local stories, and heartfelt Cretan hospitality.

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

Cooking experience: (2-12 guests) Step into the home of Stamatia and Kostas near Rethymno for an intimate 4-hour Crete cooking class that offers a refined introduction to the flavors, traditions, and hospitality of the island. This small-group, hands-on culinary experience begins with a guided tasting of premium extra virgin olive oils, followed by a traditional Cretan cheese-making demonstration. Then cook alongside Stamatia as you prepare authentic family recipes using seasonal vegetables, local herbs, and exceptional olive oil sourced from nearby producers. Throughout the experience, your hosts share stories of village life, Cretan customs, and the island’s celebrated Mediterranean cuisine, offering guests a deeper connection to local culture. After cooking, gather around the family table to enjoy your homemade meal with local wine, raki, and warm Cretan hospitality. Depending on the season, guests may also pick fresh fruit from the garden to take home. Ideal for couples, families, and small groups seeking an authentic and elevated cooking experience in Crete; private bookings are available for groups of 6 or more. Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, lactose-free, and other dietary needs can be accommodated with advance notice.

Notes: Choose the optional private transfers for round-trip transportation within a 60 km radius, including Chania and Heraklion.

Languages spoken: English, Greek, German

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • Arrival: Homemade traditional Cretan refreshment, rusks, and local seasonal snacks
  • Olive Oil Experience: Guided tasting of premium extra virgin olive oils
  • Cheese Making: Hands-on preparation of fresh traditional Cretan cheese
  • Traditional Cretan Mains: Kalitsounia, seasonal gemista or dolmadakia, and homemade Cretan moussaka
  • Dessert: Traditional dumplings or sweet Cretan cheese pies drizzled with honey
  • Drinks: Local red or white wine, raki, soft drinks, mineral water, and coffee
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $89 $89
Alcohol
 $0 per person
Transportation
 $269 per car
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $89 $89
Alcohol
 $0 per person
Transportation
 $269 per car
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 11:00am-3:00pm
ABOUT TRAVELING SPOON

Traveling Spoon connects you with meaningful culinary experiences, from private cooking lessons to homecooked meals in people's homes. Enjoy an immersive cultural experience that gives you a glimpse into the local way of life.

FAQ

    You can cancel your reservation up until 24 hours before your experience for a full refund minus a 4% processing fee. Experiences within 24 hours are not refundable.

    If you have a question for your host, you can include a note in the field "Write a note to your host" during the booking process. Once your booking is confirmed, you will be emailed your host's direct contact information and you will also be able to message the host through your profile. You can always cancel your booking and receive a full refund 24 hours or more before your experience. If you have other questions you can also email us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Most of our hosts are able to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies, including vegetarian and gluten free options. For vegetarian travelers, we have an icon on each host profile to indicate whether that host can also offer a fully vegetarian menu. There is a section in the booking form to note any allergies or dietary restrictions which will be sent directly to your host.

    Some hosts offer alcohol as an optional add-on for travelers who are of legal drinking age. Pricing for alcohol is visible on the host profile page and includes one to two glasses of wine, beer or local alcohol.

    Have a flight or other tour planned and can't make the timing provided? If the timing listed on the host's profile doesn't work for you, our hosts can often accommodate timing changes. Because all of our experiences are private our hosts are happy to tailor experiences to meet your travel needs. Simply note your request in the booking process.

    Your card will not be charged until your host accepts your booking. Typically hosts respond to bookings within 72 hours. In the event your host is unavailable on your selected date and your host rejects your booking your credit card will not be charged.

    Your host's detailed contact information, including their phone number, address, and direction notes, will all be provided immediately upon successful confirmation of your experience (after your hosts accepts your booking and your credit card is successfully processed). This information will be emailed to you to the email address you used to sign up, and will also be visible on your Traveling Spoon profile.

    All prices are noted per person prices unless otherwise specified. Transportation is typically charged on a per car basis. Children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free. Hosts set their own prices and Traveling Spoon marks up the experiences; on average hosts receive over 70% of the price paid by the traveler.

    100% of Traveling Spoon experiences are private! Just you and your host and host's family.

    Hosts typically respond to booking inquiries within 72 hours. If for some reason you have not heard from your host or if you have any questions you can always contact us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Your safety and security are our top priority. To ensure this, Traveling Spoon personally vets 100% of all hosts, including an in-person host visit, to ensure each host and experience meets our strict quality requirements.

    Some hosts offer transportation as an optional add-on for travelers. Typically this is round trip transportation with pick up and drop off at your hotel. Pricing is quoted per car. Specific instructions for transportation will be provided in your confirmation details when your booking is confirmed.

    Many of our hosts accommodate solo travelers. You can see if a host accepts solo travelers by looking at the traveler range found next to the experience descriptions on the host profile (indicated by the numbers in parentheses next to "In-home meal", "Cooking experience" and "Market visit").

    Most of our Traveling Spoon experiences are incredibly family friendly and can accommodate infants and children. If a host is unable to accommodate children that will be noted in the "Notes" section of their profile. Our child pricing policy is children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free.