More than a cooking class - This was more than a cooking class. It felt like a meet-up between friends sharing a passion (or two). We talked, we baked, we argued over food, we shared tips and exchanged stories, like friends do. Eleni does a great job teaching the art of making Kalitsounia, demystifying the process, showing practical tips to be successful at all times. We feasted on our creations, and enjoyed additional culinary treats in Eleni’s home. Both Eleni and the other participants will stay in my memory for years to come. The class normally lasts a couple of hours, but we went well over time, and it still felt too short, because we had an amazing time. I will recommend this to all my friends and family. Stop reading my ramblings and book this course already!

Highly recommend! - We highly recommend this experience that immerses you in Cretan food, hospitality and culture. Soul Food Workshop's Eleni is a fantastic host who weaves in Cretan traditions with modern flair. We walked into the class as strangers and left feeling like we've known each other for ages. That's a huge testament to Eleni and the supportive, warm and humorous setting she nurtured. We also take with us new, Greek-inspired cooking approaches and lots of delicious kalitsoyni!

Amazing cultural foodie experience - Myself and a friend spent a morning here with the lovely Eleni who showed us how to make Kalitsouni pastries, a recipe belonging to Crete. Upon arrival, Eleni welcomed us to her family home and was just lovely. She was easy to talk to and showed us what to do with patience and kindness. She chatted to us about her own travels and we exchanged stories about the similarities and differences in our cultures, especially about food and what it represents to us. Explaining that the English rarely eat ‘English Breakfast’ other than a rare treat made her laugh and she told us for Christmas dinner, Cretans typically have pork. Her English was incredible and she does these classes as she loves to do them outside her normal work job. After cooking, we sat down to a Greek coffee with her and a glass of homemade lemonade as well as getting to try some homemade biscuits by her mother and some preserve which really made us laugh as she said it was called ‘just one spoon’ as it’s was so sweet that is all anyone can manage - and her sense of humour was great as she declared ‘I don’t like it, it’s too sweet for me!’ Her sisters’ dogs Black and Zoe made an appearance for a stroke and fuss (I said I might try and take Black with me as he was the sweetest dog ever although my husband might kill me as we already have two dogs). We left clutching boxes of the food we made plus some sweet treats she had prepared beforehand. This is up there with one of my top ten things to do of all time as you experience some first hand integration with another culture and learned something new. Marvellous!!!

Great Authentic Cretan Cooking Workshop - We booked the Kalitsoyni workshop with Eleni. It was a great experience! Eleni is very friendly and she explains the preparation of Kalitsoyni very well. You learn not only how to prepare delicious Kalitsoyni, but also a lot about Cretan cuisine. And of course you eat the very delicious kalitsoyni 😉 If you have the opportunity, book a workshop at Soul Cooking Workshops. It will be a lot of fun and a great experience!

We discovered this real local gem! - Two professional women with a passion for cooking and pride in their Cretan cuisine share their home for a few hours and we all made beautiful vegetarian pastries from scratch. They even catered for one of our travelling group who is vegan, with ease. They also offered treats that were home made. Their English is excellent. The home and the process was hygienic. I would do another food activity with them.

Fantastic local cooking experience - Wonderful morning enjoying Cretan delicacies and learning how to make kalitsounia. Eleni and Anna are wonderful teachers and hosts. Highly recommended real life in Chania experience!

Soul Food Cooking Workshop, Crete - Everyone in our 11 group tour of Crete said this was one of the highlights of our entire trip. It was fun, entertaining, a real hands-on experience...and delicious! I recommend them highly!

You must book this workshop!! - Absolutely loved our kalitsounia workshop with Anna and Eleni. They walked us through making these delicious parcels, and shared some scrumptious treats with us (including Easter biscuits made by Anna’s mother). Really enjoyable way to spend a morning in Crete and learn about some traditional Cretan food. Can’t wait to try making kalitsounia when we get back.

A highlight of my trip! - The kalitsoyni workshop was wonderful. Anna and Eleni were charismatic teachers and hosts, letting us try our hand at every step of the process as we made delicious kalitsoyni in their beautiful outdoor patio.

A trip highlight. - We absolutely loved our time in this workshop. It was a trip highlight. Not just learning to cook delicious food, but laughing and chatting with Arna and her family. We would highly recommend this experience to anyone who wants a relaxed, authentic experience. Thank you for allowing us into your home Paula and Mary