Bakaliko: Cooking lessons in Archanes

In Archanes, a picturesque and colorful village near Heraklion, you’ll find Bakaliko in the central square—a gourmet deli-restaurant offering cooking classes to introduce you to the island’s local ingredients and traditional cuisine.

Upon arrival, you’ll be welcomed with fresh juice, coffee, mountain tea, and a traditional breakfast, just as the locals enjoy it. During this time, there will be a discussion about Cretan gastronomy, the Mediterranean diet, and the exceptional products of Crete.

Then, the cooking lesson begins, led by one of the shop’s owners. You’ll learn to prepare iconic Cretan and Greek dishes such as dolmadakia (stuffed vine leaves), tzatziki, dakos, chicken with olives and raisins, moussaka, or desserts like yogurt mousse with myzithra cheese and local marmalade or orange pie.

At the end of the session, you’ll savor your creations, accompanied by local wine and olives.

Program Schedule

• 10:30 – Arrival at Bakaliko
• 10:30-11:00 – Breakfast and discussion about Cretan cuisine
• 11:00-12:30 – Cooking lesson
• 12:30-14:00 – Lunch and wine tasting

Before leaving, you’ll receive recipe cards as a memento of your culinary experience and have the chance to shop for high-quality local products from the deli.

Cost

• 2-4 people: €65 per person
• 5-8 people: €50 per person