Sushi secrets served up in Japan

Embarking on a food travel journey might be on your mind now that your stomach has experienced another Thanksgiving! Here are the perfect spots to book cheap flights for culinary vacation. If you’re feeling generous, book one of these top five courses as a Holiday gift or take a class yourself.

Tuscany, Italy: Cooking in Tuscany will fulfil all of your Italian desires, especially when it comes to food. Serve up a storm with cooking courses left, right and centre. ‘Good Taste of Tuscany Cooking Course’ is a top program set in the beautiful gallery kitchen of 13th century Villa Pandolfini with its very own vineyard and olive groves. Take wine tasting classes after a tough day in the kitchen or take an optional market visit with your chef who’ll teach you how to find the best natural ingredients. A Weekly Culinary Adventure including accommodation, ingredients and all of your meals will set you back approximately $3000, but see this as a long term investment as well as a relaxing Italian vacation.

Montmarte, Paris: The setting of international blockbuster Amélie, Montmarte is the perfect destination for a Parisian culinary adventure. Join a small class of five to six students as you’re taught by professional chefs on the ‘Cook’n With Class’ course. Choose from the école’s Morning or Evening Market Class as well as instruction in cake decorating, French dessert, baking and private classes. The ‘A Week in Paris’ cookery package will cost a mere $730 for classes spread over a five day period.

Tokyo, Japan: If you’re feeling extra brave, book flights to Tokyo for a Japanese cookery class in this lively city. Take the ‘Sushi Making and Tsukiji Fish Market Morning Tour’ for five and a half hours of Japanese culinary instruction that’s bound to be eye opening. The course is in English and even offers a pick-up service from selected hotels. For just over $180 you’ll receive a day of instruction, top ingredients, tour guides and lunch.

Montreal, Canada: La Guilde Culinare in Montreal is a fantastic place to master Montreal cooking: a unique mélange of French and Canadian cuisine in a rustic, cosmopolitan setting. But the courses aren’t limited to regional dishes. Learn how to cook up some tasty macaroons, tapas, and basic sushi dishes at this top Montreal cookery school. The ever-popular Gourmet Dating class is a great way to enjoy both creating and devouring a romantic dinner with other singles. With classes starting at just $115, take home a lasting souvenir when learning how to cook in Canada.

Rio De Janeiro, Brazil: Expertise in Brazilian cuisine is just a cheap flight away. Seafood Moqueca, Pé de Molequé and Aipim Frito are just three of the dishes you’ll be learning at highly rated ‘Cook in Rio’ courses. Located in Copacabana, book in advance to get onto this competitive English speaking course where food and drinks are also included. Serve up black bean and meat stew and improve your Portuguese on this $70 per lesson course.

Photo: relgar