From Oiy Arthur

Kindly given to us by Mary Bonfante from Frank's Fruit Market in Haberfield, who was taught to make this beautiful seasonal dish by her mother-in-law.

Another gem from the Bonfante family at Frank's Fruit Market in Haberfield.  A great vegetable accompaniment or topping for pasta.

17th - 27th October 2010

Come and be seduced by this most beguiling country, full of exceptional regional food, colour, bustling markets, warm generous people and seriously good shopping. Enjoy some peaceful moments too - sail through the jade waters of Halong Bay, laze by a bouganvillea-surrounded pool, sample tropical smoothies and be introduced to some of the best coffee in the world. We take you from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, with a stop in Central Vietnam.

Learn about the culture and food of this wonderful place - we have three cooking classes during our time and many special experiences that you can only have on a Gourmet Safari, including spending a day with a wonderful extended family in the Mekong Delta who we reach by boat along palm-fringed rivers.

Costs:
Includes: 9 nights in 4.5 - 5 star hotels, most meals, cooking classes, internal flights and return economy airfares with Vietnam Airlines plus Vietnam visa - $4850 twin share
Land content only - $3550 twin share (does not include internal flights)
Plus Single supplement - $850

For a more details, please contact Gourmet Safaris on 02 9960 5675 Monday to Friday or via email info@gourmetsafaris.com.au

Payments for travel arrangements are to be made to David Vuong Travel - licence number 2TA 5524

download a sample itinerary

Sunday 21st November, start at 12.30

Some of our regulars come each time to enjoy the delicious French fare at this lovely spot tucked behind Potts Point. Start with French bubbles and then indulge in a delicious meal of many lovely courses  with matched red and white wines.  Chef Martin Webster will be drawing his inspiration from Provence so expect dishes that sing with fresh spring produce.

Sunday 8th August 12.30 start

Join one us to meet one of the most wonderful food families to appear in the Italian Food Safari series. The Cipri family are a powerhouse of great food – they were the stars of the tomato bottling day - and we’ve twisted their arms to do a private lunch for us at their smart new restaurant, Cipri Italian in Paddington. Chef Carmelo and his mother Maria are creating a special menu of family favourites which will touch your soul. Delicious courses will include swordfish involtini, capretto al forno (baked goat), a glorious pasta dish, some homemade antipasto delights plus a glorious dessert. Carmelo’s brothers Joe and Antonio  will ready with warm welcomes and a glass of bubbles to start.

Keep afternoon and evening of Sunday 5th December free.

All safaris include wines from our sponsor Wine Selector

7th - 18th September 2010

Escape the tourist trail to spend time in a mountain village full of the sounds of church bells where we learn to cook some of the superb local produce with accomplished Greek chefs. We stay in a large colonial estate at the edge of a pretty village and gather produce from local markets to cook up into simple delicious dishes served alfresco overlooking one of the estate's two pools. Then we hop islands in time for a vibrant and special annual event on the island of Limnos in the north east Aegean and later take our own private boat to some of the hidden coves and beaches and enjoy a special lunch. We have been invited to a private estate for lamb cooked in the big woodfired oven, we'll have coffee with the locals in one of the villages then journey on to the beautiful island of Lesvos with more "never find it on your own" sort of experiences. We finish in five star luxury on the cliffs at jaw-droppingly beautiful Santorini for days of sailing and sun, great restaurants and shopping.

Each day is a perfect little jewel and the trip constructed so you have a range of the best regional produce and meet all our favourite Greek characters including a day spent with a women's cooperative in Lesvos where we feast on dishes you'd never find in restaurants. One day we may be at a market, the next wending our way down a cobblestoned alley to find the best little hidden restaurant, the next in an olive grove with a view of that magic blue water...our guests have loved having their hands held and their days planned so they can immerse themselves and not to worry or think about what’s happening next.

Please note: you don't need to have ever cooked a single thing in your life to love this trip. The cooking classes on the first island work at every level and the ease of the dishes mean that they are easy to reproduce again back home. We hope you'll come back inspired by this magic country.

Tour Leaders:

Liz Kaydos - her family is from Limnos (just above Lesvos close to the Turkish coast).  Liz grew up in a very traditional family. Her mother taught her how to make good Greek coffee and all the things that are important for a good Greek girl to know. Many of you will know that Liz is the guide to Greek Marrickville and researcher for some of the top TV shows including the internationally awarded Food Lover's Guide to Australia. Fluent in Greek and keen to share customs as well as some pointers on dancing Greek style!

Maria Klinakis – rising star in Melbourne’s acclaimed Press Club Restaurant and spending the summer establishing chef George Calombaris’ new restaurant venture in Mykonos, Maria combines all the knowledge gleaned from her mother and grandmother with top chef training…she’s passionate about Greek cuisine, inspiring, fun and great to cook with.

Payments for travel arrangements are to be made to Port to Port Travel ' -  licence number 2TA 4684 - A division of Julietta Travel Pty Ltd

Click here for sample itinerary

"I loved the ease of travelling in a group, being looked after, being able to see islands of Greece I wouldn't go to if travelling alone and the delicious food we were spoilt with every day" - Penny Sharp, Greece 2003