Summer in Marbella is a lively time of year as tourists flock to our fabulous beaches for their much anticipated vacation breaks. But the beach is not the only attraction that draws people to our beautiful city, food and culture play an equally important role in making Marbella the Costa del Sol’s most sought after holiday destination. After all, there are few places where you can combine a relaxing holiday on the beach with luxury leisure activities, culture, and one of the best gastronomical selections in the region. Les Roches Marbella’s two week summer program in Andalusian gastronomy is designed to combine all of these unique facets into an unforgettable experience that is both educational and fun.
The program, currently in its fifth year, offers participants a unique opportunity to discover up close the diverse culinary traditions that are interlinked with Andalusian culture. Beginning with the arrival last Saturday of more than 60 participants from countries that include Brazil, Mexico, and Spain, the Andalusian Gastronomy Summer Program kicked off with an authentic taste of Spanish cheeses and local wines sponsored by Comercial Galera. From here, participants embarked on a two week journey that began with a cultural excursion to the quaint whitewashed village of Mijas and a tour of the town’s olive oil museum. This is followed by a visit to the mountain village of Ronda and its famous Casa Del Jamón, where they will enjoy local wines and a selection of fine cured Iberian ham. 
Later in the week, participants will enjoy a spectacular trip to Granada and the Alhambra palace as well as an in-depth tour of Malaga’s local beer brewery, San Miguel.
Between excursions the participants undertake practical training classes with our dedicated chef instructors, Mr. Silvio Patrucco and Ms. Luisa Campin, who demonstrate how to prepare a wide selection of Andalusia’s gastronomical delicacies. During these mini-courses, participants receive hands-on experience in the unique methods of local culinary delights by preparing dishes in in our state-of-the-art professional kitchens. Additional course activities include instructional and informative seminars presented by Les Roches Marbella lecturers, 
Mr. Hassan Djeebet, Mr. Moeed Shah, and Mr. Luis Blanco who introduce participants to the history of Andalusian gastronomy, the fascinating world of olives, and the peculiarities of regional wines and spirits.
If our regional culinary diversity isn’t enough, course participants will also share residence with students of more than 54 nationalities who return to campus after their summer break, thus enhancing their overall experience by living in a true multinational environment. Of course, they also have the opportunity to explore Marbella’s many treasures during their free time too.
With beautiful beaches nearby, the historic old town, and the exciting nightlife of Puerto Banus, participants will experience firsthand the true spirit of the Andalusian way of life – all in a world-class luxury tourist destination and in Spain’s top hotel management school. The Andalusian Gastronomy program is indeed a unique opportunity to experience the importance that regional cuisine plays in this singular culture. It’s a once in a lifetime experience that will not soon be forgotten.
